Animal Care Specialist (Hourly)

City of Chula Vista; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Chula Vista is seeking a part-time Animal Care Attendant to perform shelter operations, assist with adoptions, and engage with the public. The role includes handling animals, recording data, and supporting counter services, with weekends/holidays possible.

The position is non-benefited and limited to 919 hours per fiscal year, with 0–16 hours per week and at-will status within City policies.

Qualifications

• One year of experience working with animals in an animal care facility, veterinary setting, or kennel.
• Euthanasia certificate is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Receive, handle and kennel animals of all species.
• Update computer files for animal records and dispositions.
• Maintain a sanitary shelter and kennels; clean facility and vehicles.

Skills

Animal care

Public interaction

Data entry

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Position Summary

To perform routine animal shelter/kennel maintenance and operations work along with a high level of public interaction at the animal care facility; to receive, impound, care for, administer vaccines and treatments, euthanize and dispose of animals brought to the animal shelter; assist animal shelter patrons by answering questions regarding impounded animals; perform general office work and data entry; assist the public with adoptions; back-up public counter support and to perform other related duties as assigned. May be required to work a flexible schedule, which would include weekends and holidays.

Employment Details

This recruitment is for a part-time, non-benefited position limited to 919 hours of employment in a fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) with an average of less than 30 service hours per work week. Hours may vary between 0 - 16 hours per week, dependent upon the daily staffing needs of the department. Unclassified hourly employees are paid on an hourly basis and shall not be eligible for benefits nor be subject to Civil Services Rules. Although hourly employees are at-will, they are still subject to all other City policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• receive, handle and kennel animals of all species including those of unknown temperament, aggressive, sick and injured animals
• update computer files when receiving, treating, moving or dispositioning animals; keeps accurate records and logs
• maintain the shelter and premises in a sanitary condition and good repair; clean kennels and department vehicles
• care for and feed impounded animals; assist in the procurement of animal food and supplies; identify sex, age and breed of animals in the facility
• complete and maintain simple records; prepare reports as needed
• assist in performing medical and behavioral examinations of animals including administering medical treatment to shelter animals
• assist with surgical preparation for spays and neuters; assist in identifying potentially adoptable animals; assist the public with adoptions; oversee prospective adopters in pet play area; provide information regarding the animal and its temperament; answer citizen inquiries and provide shelter information to the public
• provide back-up support to the public counter; process records and applications related to assigned duties; conduct tours of the facility; present pet educational program at schools, senior center, and other off-site locations
• evaluate animals daily on euthanasia list; euthanize animals by injection in accordance with established policies and procedures; dispose of diseased and unclaimed animals; assist in conducting rabies clinic; issue dog licenses; receive and record payment for licenses and adoptions; relay messages and dispatches personnel by radio; respond to calls when necessary; may transport shelter animals to other facilities
• perform general office work and data entry; perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be one year of experience working with animals in an animal care facility, veterinary hospital/mobile veterinary clinic, or boarding kennel and training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in animal care.

• Euthanasia certificate is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• animal breeds, characteristics and diseases; animal care, feeding and handling methods and techniques; applicable laws, codes, ordinances and regulations; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.

Ability to:

• properly handle and care for animals; humanely euthanize animals according to department protocols; dispose of diseased and euthanized animals; clean and disinfect shelter enclosures, cages and other related operational equipment or areas; distinguish between healthy and ill animals; recognize aggressive or frightened animals; keep simple records; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work a flexible schedule, which would include weekends and holidays; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Physical Demands And Working Conditions

On a continuous basis walk, stand, bend, crouch or stoop, sit for varying periods of time; use hands and fingers to grasp and use various types of animal restraints and capture equipment and tools; must be able to perform euthanasia on animals; make repetitive hand and body motions; twist and reach below and above shoulder. Communicate over a radio, or telephone; hear communications via radio, telephone or in person; respond to inquiries; use a computer keyboard. Must be able to lift with assistance and carry injured or dead animal weighing up to 125 lbs.; see in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Work is performed in both indoors and outdoors with exposure varying weather conditions when in the kennel areas. Frequent exposure to loud animal noises, odors, pet dander, diseases and dangerous animals. Daily contact with a variety of domestic and wild animals that can result in exposure to potentially hazardous or volatile situations; may be exposed to cleaning chemicals used daily to disinfect kennel areas along with exposure to animal body fluids in caring for animal needs.

Additional Information

Recruitment No. 26534408H. This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice.

RETIREMENT

Part-time/temporary employees participate in the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS). This is in lieu of PERS or Social Security (although employees do contribute to Medicare). The City and the Employee each contribute 3.75% of the employee's salary to the PARS.

SICK LEAVE

Part-time/temporary employees shall accrue sick leave pursuant to the Health Workplace, Health Family Act of 2014 (AB 1522).