Animal Care Technician

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual pay

Job summary

The City of Sacramento seeks an Animal Care Technician to care for impounded animals, assist with admissions and outcomes, and support humane operations at the Animal Care Services Center.

Responsibilities include feeding, behavior assessments, euthanasia under policy, and collaborating with volunteers and the public. Evening/weekend shifts may be required; safety protocols are mandatory.

Qualifications

• Read, write, and speak English proficiently.
• Safely care for and handle domestic and exotic animals.
• Maintain accurate records and reports of animal intake, care, and outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Feed, water, and provide treatment for impounded animals.
• Inspect and monitor animal health and temperament; document findings.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facility areas.
• Perform humane euthanasia as directed.
• Assist veterinarian with medical tasks and sample collection.
• Provide adoption counseling and customer service.
• Supervise and train volunteers; coordinate volunteer activities.
• Assist with animal handling during transfers and rescues.

Skills

English proficiency

Animal handling safety

Record keeping

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor's preferred (animal science)

Job description

THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

THE POSITION

The Animal Care Technician processes intakes and outtakes; feeds and cares for impounded animals; evaluates and documents animal behavior and temperament; performs euthanasia; interacts with and trains volunteers; performs adoption counseling; participates in the rescue and transfer of animals to outside agencies; sanitizes equipment, kennels and other areas of the facility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is distinguished from the Senior Animal Care Technician classification in that it is responsible for the care, treatment, maintenance, enrichment, and social and mental stimulation of impounded animals and cleaning activities of Animal Care Services; whereas the latter classification is responsible for the more difficult animal care duties such as, but not limited to, resolving escalations and complaints, signing off on euthanasia decisions, inventory control, kennel management, the operation of the City Animal Care Services, and the direct supervision of lower level personnel. This classification is distinguished from the Veterinary Assistant series in that the latter primarily assists with pre-operative and post-operative surgical care and treatment of impounded animals.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

This classification receives general technical and functional supervision and direction from the Senior Animal Care Technician or higher-level personnel. This classification trains and leads volunteers engaged in similar work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Humanely feed, water, control and provide treatment/care for all impounded animals in accordance to safety and personal protection policies.
• Visually conduct inspections or evaluations and monitor animals to identify and document potential medical issues, signs of illness and abnormal behaviors/temperament; determine placement suitability; make euthanasia recommendations; and participate in behavior modification and enrichment programs.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and other areas of the Animal Care Services Center to maintain a sanitary facility for shelter animals and the public.
• Perform humane euthanasia as directed in accordance with department policy.
• Process in and outcome impounded animals and maintain all related records.
• Under the direction of the veterinarian, provide medical treatment, prepare dosage and administer medication to animals; draw blood and obtain laboratory samples (i.e. rabies specimen) for testing; administer IV fluids; and may assist with obtaining digital X-Rays.
• Perform adoption counseling.
• Provide courteous and professional customer service.
• Humanely capture loose animals, control fractious animals and break up dog fights that occur at the facility.
• Perform behavior evaluations on animals as directed in accordance with department policy.
• Participate in animal behavior modification and enrichment programs.
• Make euthanasia recommendations for animals that are human aggressive, animal aggressive and irremediably suffering.
• Handle deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals, and sharps; vaccinate animals.
• Train and supervise volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Common practices, materials and methods used in cleaning and caring for animals and related facilities and equipment.
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of various animal species. The symptoms of common animal diseases.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of work around small and large animals.
• Basic math, including fractions.

ABILITY TO

• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
• Safely care for and physically control domestic and exotic animals and reptiles.
• Recognize and identify symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other domestic animal diseases.
• Perform humane euthanasia of animals.
• Carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, volunteers, vendors and members of the public.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience
One year of experience in the care and treatment of animals. Examples of qualifying experience are: Veterinary Assistant, Registered Veterinary Technician, kennel attendant in a high-volume public or private facility, SPCA, or animal shelter.
OR
Two years of City of Sacramento volunteer experience in animal care.
AND
Education
High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Possession of an Associate or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in an animal related science is preferred.

Proof Of Education
Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

CERTIFICATION

• Euthanasia certification must be obtained during the probationary period.
• Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board must be obtained during the probationary period.
• Some positions may be required to obtain forklift certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work Conditions

Must perform shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime may also be required.

Environmental Conditions

Work outside in various types of weather. Incumbents must be able to work in or around animal fur, dander, excrement; deal with and protect against infectious and aggressive animals. Incumbents are exposed to customers who are emotionally distressed and confrontational, occasionally under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The Animal Care Services Center is a smoke free compound. As such, incumbents are required to leave the facility property to smoke. Additionally, incumbents are exposed to euthanasia solution and tranquilizer.

Physical Conditions

Must be able to regularly lift, carry, restrain, and/or capture animals up to 60 pounds, animals heavier than 60 pounds with assistance. Incumbents will be required to walk, run, stand, or climb on wet concrete surfaces; must possess the ability to reach, bend, stoop, squat, hear, perform hand movements, and repetitive motions; have finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

QUESTIONS

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at [phone].
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at http://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Career-Opportunities;
• Send an email to [e-mail]; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at [phone]

Bilingual Pay

Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act

The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf