CITY OF OVERLAND PARK - POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY STATEMENT: Supervises the animal care of the Farmstead operations. Performs routine animal care, including feeding, cleaning, animal waste disposal, health, and welfare. Assists with the maintenance of facilities. Provides educational materials and assistance to the public. Drives City vehicles and large machinery. Provides support to all areas of the farmstead.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists with coordination and supervision of seasonal employees. Assigns work as outlined by Farmstead Superintendent, answers questions or assists with problems.

Supervises and performs animal care such as worming, trimming hooves, beaks and talons, and giving vaccinations and other injections as needed. Observes animals to detect illnesses and injuries. Consults with veterinarian to determine type of medication or treatment needed.

Plans and reviews feeding schedules and amounts for all animals. Monitors animal feed supplies. Checks feed supplies; orders supplies when necessary; picks up, load and unload feed; stores feed properly to prevent spoilage and waste; prepares feed for distribution.

Assists in planning new animal displays and procurement of new animals.

Assists in repair and new construction, and landscaping projects. Performs basic carpentry, plumbing, concrete and electrical work. Paints buildings and signs. Operates hand and power tools and large motorized equipment as required.

Prepares bid information as directed. Reviews incoming bids and recommends qualified bidder per purchasing and budget guidelines. Prepares and processes purchase orders. Administers contracts for services related to Farmstead Operations.

Performs general maintenance and repair of equipment. Checks fluid levels, repairs and replaces parts as required. Cleans and maintains equipment per equipment manual instructions.

Ensures a safe environment for animals, visitors, and the general public. Assists in cleaning of work areas and Farmstead facilities.

Assures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations relating to Farmstead operations, such as material data safety sheets, hazard communication programs, and permit acquisitions. Obtains continuing education through professional organizations by attending necessary training sessions and seminars.

Provides general information to public through informal and formal speaking engagements and training sessions.

Coordinates with other sectional and divisional personnel regarding equipment and personnel needs.

Performs general office duties such as answering phones, assisting general public and organizing files.

The employee must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors and any other persons or organization with which interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.

The employee must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks, where applicable.

The above duties and responsibilities include those tasks, physical and mental requirements, visual requirements, unique physical surroundings and mental/cognitive requirements listed in the Position Description Questionnaire and Task Analysis Worksheet.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & SPECIAL LICENSE(S)/CERTIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's Degree in animal husbandry, zoology or a related field. .

Possession of an appropriate valid driver's license. Must maintain an insurable driving record.

EXPERIENCE:

Two to three years of increasingly responsible experience in care and maintenance of farm and domestic animals and farm-related facilities, or an equivalent level of experience.

Experience in operation of tractor, loaders, backhoes, and dump trucks preferred.

Effective public relations skills and the ability to work with children.

One to two years Supervisory experience

SKILLS:

Good oral and written communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Basic math and accounting skills

Manual dexterity

Presentation skills

Good PC skills, including ability to use spreadsheets, word processing, presentation, database, and publishing software applications.

Facilitation skills

Project management skills

Time management skills

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to read and comprehend City, state, and federal regulations

Ability to prioritize work

Ability to meet deadlines

Ability to recognize and protect confidential information

Ability to train and guide others

Ability to work on several projects at once

Ability to read and understand technical manuals concerning animal care, equipment repair and maintenance and plant care

Ability to perform basic math and apply basic accounting principles

Knowledge of basic construction techniques

Ability to read and understand building plans and specifications

Ability to work independently

Ability to learn and understand PC software applications.

Alpha and numeric recognition

Knowledge of animal care and grooming

Mechanical aptitude

Ability to work in hectic environment with many interruptions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Exposure to extreme environmental conditions

Exposure to loud noises

Exposure to heights

Exposure to vibrations

Ability to work in confined spaces

Ability to distinguish smells

Ability to identify and distinguish colors

Ability to operate various hand and power tools, such as router, drill circular saw, shovel, rake, hoe, hand mower, weed eater, rototiller, chain saw, power pruner, and leaf blower

Ability to operate City vehicles and large equipment, such as truck, front-end loader, skid loader riding mower, tree spade, and backhoe

Ability to speak to individuals or groups for an extended period of time

Ability to restrain animals ranging in size from rabbits and eagles to buffaloes

Ability to administer animal vaccinations and perform routine care of animals

Visual acuity to identify animal variations and abnormal conditions

Exposure to chemical, fumes, dust, smoke, sprays, fogs, and mists

Ability to operate various office equipment such as typewriter, adding machine, copier, personal computer.

SEE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS ATTACHED FOR ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (Direct & Indirect):

Direct:

Full time.

Part-time.

Seasonal.

Indirect:

Volunteer Employees.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.