Animal Care Attendant

Sacramento County; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County Animal Shelter is seeking an Animal Care Attendant to feed and care for animals, maintain clean kennels, and support a safe shelter environment. The role requires handling diverse animals and working a schedule that includes weekends and non-routine hours.

Minimum qualifications include six months of animal care experience and the ability to communicate in English. Background checks and a valid CA driver's license may be required.

Qualifications

• Six months full-time or equivalent experience in animal care or related roles.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Background check and license requirements may apply.

Responsibilities

• Feed and care for animals daily.
• Maintain safe and sanitary kennels and equipment.
• Assist with handling of various animal types and respond to routine needs.
• Work weekends, holidays, and non-routine hours as required.

Skills

Animal care

Feeding animals

Sanitation

Safety awareness

Job description

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

9/4/2026, 9/18/2026, 10/16/2026 (Final) Under general supervision, the Animal Care Attendant feeds and cares for animals and maintains safe and sanitary kennel facilities and equipment at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter.

Examples Of Knowledge And Abilities

Knowledge of

• Practices, methods, and materials used in cleaning animal facilities
• Feeding and caring for animals
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of various animal species
• Basic symptoms of common animal diseases

Ability to

• Work with co-workers, staff, volunteers, and members of the general public from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a courteous and effective manner
• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance
• Work safely with aggressive animals
• Learn to euthanize animals in a safe and humane manner
• Learn to operate the equipment used in handling various types of small and large animals, birds, reptiles, and livestock
• Safely operate a County vehicle in performance of duties

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Six months paid or unpaid full-time experience in the care and treatment of animals. Examples of qualifying experience are: veterinarian technician or helper, kennel attendant, S.P.C.A. attendant, zoo attendant, 4-H or farm experience, or animal training experience.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General Qualifications

Background/Criminal History Check: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

Driver's License: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Some positions in the Animal Care Attendant class series may require possession of a Registered Veterinary Technician license from the State of California. Failure to successfully obtain and maintain the required license may be cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Permit Requirement: In accordance with the State Veterinary Medical Board (VMB), incumbents appointed to this class shall be required to obtain a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit within three months of appointment. Failure to successfully obtain and maintain the required permit may be cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Age Requirement: Minimum age - 18 years.

Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend, stoop, squat, and crawl in small, low, and/or confined areas.
• Climb ladders and work at aboveground levels.
• Lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift up to 80 pounds with assistance.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions

• Be exposed to infectious, poisonous, and threatening animals.
• Be exposed to chemicals used to perform euthanasia.
• Work outdoor in all types of local weather conditions.
• Work around dust, dirt, and odors.
• Work in and around animal fur, dander and excrement.
• Work weekends, holidays, and non-routine hours, including fluctuating hours and after hours call outs.
• Work at various locations throughout the County.
• Wear a uniform that conforms to departmental standards.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

• www.saccountyjobs.net

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711