Part-Time Kennel Assistant

Requisition ID: req3272

Job Title: Part-Time Kennel Assistant

Department: Vet., Imaging & Surgical Tech

Location: Columbus Campus

Employment Type: Staff

Employment Status: Part-Time Professional

Bargaining Unit: Non-Bargaining Unit

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Compensation Type: Hourly

Compensation: $13.11

Schedule: Must have weekend evening availability. Hours can vary semester to semester base on faculty and staff needs.

The College

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to respond to workforce needs and make higher education an affordable reality. There has never been a better time to join a two-year college, and there’s no better place to do it than at Columbus State. A laser focus on student success and a partnership mindset have established Columbus State as a key talent provider in a thriving regional economy, and a premier community college that is changing the nation’s education and workforce landscapes.

With more than 46,000 students across two campuses, at several regional learning centers, and online, Columbus State is the nation’s only institution recognized as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) college, an AACC Guided Pathways institution, and a participant in The Right Signals Initiative through the Lumina Foundation. Columbus State employees at all levels benefit from an engaging, collaborative, and supportive culture that rewards innovation and vision. We provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities. We are dedicated to ensuring that the diversity of Columbus State faculty and staff reflects that of our students and region. We are proud to be a central part of a community that embraces differences and celebrates the many cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles that define Central Ohio.

The City

Columbus, Ohio is also home to The Ohio State University and more than 30 other colleges and universities as well as the headquarters of multiple Fortune 500 companies. Columbus is one of America’s fastest-growing cities, offering a wealth of cultural experiences, dining, entertainment, shopping opportunities, and more. That’s why Central Ohio residents find living here so fulfilling, both professionally and personally.

Position Summary

The Kennel Assistant is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the kennel facilities and preprooms. The Kennel Assistant are also responsible for the general upkeep of animals in their care and must provide individualized attention to ensure the domestic animals are handled with care. This position ensures the facilities are clean and coordinates with multiple departments to ensure proper preparation. This position also ensures safety standards and processes are followed while students are performing tasks related to Vet., Imaging and Surgical Tech coursework.

Core Competencies

Professionalism, Positive Approach, Managing Work, Quality Orientation, Continuous Improvement, Leveraging Feedback, Customer/Student/Employee Focus Communication, Collaboration, Planning and Organizing

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:


Program Support


Works with other areas of the College to facilitate the smooth operation of the kennel. Coordinates with physical plant, data center, purchasing, and shipping/receiving on a regular basis. Maintains logs, kennel and preprooms in compliance with DEA, Pharmacy Board, OSHA, and EPA regulations. Maintains digital SOS files. Provides area-specific HAZMAT training, as needed. Ensures that faculty and students follow proper safety practices and procedures. Advises Supervisor, or Department Chair concerning safety violations and concerns. Provides training and instruction to federal work study students on kennel procedures for dogs and cats. Answers general questions and provides information to faculty and students.

Walks, feeds, and picks up after animals. Reports on animal conditions to appropriate leadership members. Assists in basic care of animals and handles animals, as appropriate. May also be responsible for transporting animals from one room to another.

Lab Inventory & Facilities


Maintains kennel and associated storage areas. Orders food, supplies and materials, as needed. Completes training needed to update inventory spreadsheets for purchasing procedures. Reports any equipment malfunction and maintains the general operating of equipment, including routine maintenance. Assists to maintain logs of equipment preventative maintenance; and assists to arrange for vendor maintenance and repair of equipment, when necessary. Performs and maintains weekly eye wash station testing, chemical and waste spills, and personal injuries, as needed. Maintains responsibility for kennel and prep-rooms, including cleaning, organizing, and labeling storage areas, maintaining and repairing equipment and supplies. Ensures that items no longer in use are packed for storage or disposal, as required. Coordinates with outside sources to order supplies. Unpacks and reconciles received items with PO’s. Maintains responsibility for storing, discarding, and properly labeling instructional materials and lab
specimens, pharmaceuticals, chemical inventories, and hazardous waste disposal.

Instructional Support

Provides information to adjunct faculty regarding department standards for classrooms and laboratories, as requested. Maintains student PACT participation records. Orientates new adjunct faculty to the kennel and assists with training, as requested.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion


Fosters and maintains a safe environment of respect and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.

Other Duties & Responsibilities


Attends all required meetings and trainings. Works a flexible schedule including overtime as required and approved to meet workload demands.

Physical Requirements

The employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity when entering data into computer, frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks. Employee occasionally reaches with hands or arms and stoops, kneels, crouches or crawls. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, detailed vision when focusing on computer screen. Employee occasionally lifts or exerts force up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

Normal kennel working conditions with frequent exposure to animal waste, smells, noise and other conditions typical of a kennel or veterinary clinic. Frequent exposure to dog and cat bites, scratches, and other related injuries. Exposure to conditions typical of observing and assisting during veterinary procedures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: basic animal kennel operations; deodorants and chemicals used for cleaning and sanitizing kennel areas; animal behavior and handling techniques; standard safety practices used to handle animals; humane treatment of animals.

Skill in: operation of power washer, cage scrubber, and other kennel equipment; organization; customer service; conflict resolution; application of job software.

Ability to: maintain kennel area in a safe, clean, and orderly manner; assure the security of the facilities assigned; constrain unruly animals in a safe, humane manner; comfort animals in need of assistance; recognize unusual animal behavior or conditions; perform moderate manual labor for short periods of time when handling animals; develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors, students, telephone users and general public; maintain confidential and sensitive information; use good
judgement; perform complex tasks and prioritize multiple projects; excellent listening skills and participant in collaborative work; effectively work with persons of varying cultures and diversity; problem solve effectively; work independently

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED). One (1) year experience working in an animal kennel, clinic or related training. State Motor Vehicle Operator's License or demonstrable ability to gain access to work site(s). An appropriate combination of education, training, coursework and experience may qualify a candidate.