Kennel Worker AF ($3,000.00 Hiring Incentive)

  • City of Rio Rancho, NM
  • Rio Rancho, New Mexico
  • Full Time

Hiring Incentive will be paid out in three equal installments.

The Kennel Worker performs maintenance and custodial duties on kennels and cattery at the animal control facility to insure a clean and safe environment for animals, the general public and employees.

Education / higher education: High School Graduate or equivalent

Minimum number of years of work experience: Six months

Education and/or experience preferences: Six months of directly related work experience or training in kennel maintenance and/or animal care is preferred.

Driver's License requirement: Infrequent Driver -- Regular Driver's License Required Endorsements: None

Note -- For any driver, driving record must always meet City driving and insurability standards.

Required certifications, licenses or registrations: None

Preferred certifications, licenses or registrations: None

Knowledge: Animal Breeds; Behavior

Skills: Animal Handling

Abilities: Learn about domestic animal behavior and diseases in a kennel environment and how to control a variety of wild and domesticated animals. Comprehend and carry out simple verbal instructions and recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers. Add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, elected officials and the public; Organize, coordinate and complete tasks to meet scheduled deadlines. Lift/carry 50-70 pounds including animals, bags of litter, dog and cat food.

Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities: Internal: Works with animal control supervisor on facility maintenance problems. Assists animal control officers and office staff with handling animals arriving and leaving the facility. External: Escorts public through the kennel facility for adoptions and reclaiming lost pets. Presents a friendly, courteous image for the City to the general public, customers, and public officials. Potential interaction with irate members of the public.

The following functions are typical for this position. The omission of specific functions does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

  • Perform maintenance and custodial duties on kennels and cattery at the Animal Resources Center to insure a clean and safe environment for animals, the general public and employees.
  • Assists animal control officers in loading and unloading animals and caring for them at the facility.
  • Assists animal control officers in destroying unwanted animals, and assists with euthanasia procedures when needed.
  • Assists animal control officers in kennels as needed, including identifying sex and breed of impounded animals, vaccinating impounded animals, checking for license or identification and placing animals in kennel.
  • Monitors animals for sickness and/or disease and assists in transports to the veterinarian for treatment when necessary.
  • Feeds, waters and cares for animals.
  • Cleans and disinfects cages, inside and outside runs, and cattery.
  • Does daily laundry.
  • Performs kennel and office maintenance and custodial functions as needed: cleaning Animal Resources Center, maintaining inventory, and stocking supplies.
  • Provides office and customer assistance when needed: answers telephones, answers questions from the public, helps with paperwork, and escorts the public through kennels for viewing animals for adoption or claiming lost pets.
  • Assists animal control officers and front office with handling animals arriving and leaving the facility.

Click here to review the full job description

Job ID: 506890540
Originally Posted on: 1/18/2026

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