Animal Center Assistant

City Of Lathrop; Lathrop (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lathrop is hiring multiple Animal Center Assistant positions. This entry-level role handles animal intake, care, and public interactions while learning applicable laws and procedures.

Incumbents support the Animal Center Supervisor and may work weekends or holidays as required. Responsibilities include answering public inquiries, maintaining records of claimed and adopted animals, assisting with animal vaccination and care, and coordinating with rescue organizations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• One year related experience in animal care preferred.
• Ability to learn state and local animal laws and policies.

Responsibilities

• Answer inquiries from the public in person, by email, and by phone about animal care and control.
• Assist with claimant, adoption, and intake processes; maintain records and logs.
• Assist with vaccinations, medications, and scheduling of veterinary visits.
• Educate the public on animal care and ordinances during events and daily operations.
• Work overtime, weekends, holidays, and call-back as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Animal handling

Record keeping

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer records system

Job description

Multiple Positions Are Available

4/10 Work Schedule, May Include Weekends and Holidays

This job posting will close on October 28, 2026 at 11:59 pm, or after 125 applications received.

POSITION INFORMATION

City of Lathrop

Animal Center Assistant

The City of Lathrop is currently hiring to fill more than one vacant Animal Center Assistant positions. This is an entry-level and single position class, in which the incumbent is responsible for a wide variety of animal care responsibilities in an animal center environment. Incumbents are expected to perform the more routine duties while learning State and local government laws, policies and procedures as it pertains to the proper care of animals in a municipal animal center. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. This classification is alternatively staffed with the Animal Center Supervisor, in that the latter is a supervisory level position responsible for the entire administration of the City’s Animal Center services and programs.

About Lathrop

Incorporated in 1989, the City of Lathrop is located in the Northern San Joaquin Valley and sits east and west of the San Joaquin River. Interstate 5, Interstate 205, and State Route 120 intersect within the city. We are located approximately 70 miles east of San Francisco and 70 miles south of Sacramento. Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa Valley, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains are all located within 2 hours of Lathrop. Lathrop is centrally located within a 30-minute commute of Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Ripon, Lodi, Modesto, and Livermore.

The Department’s January 1, 2026, population estimates show Lathrop grew from 38,791 residents in 2025 to 40,942 residents in 2026, an increase of 2,151 people, or 5.5%. The report ranks Lathrop as the second fastest-growing city in California with a population over 30,000, behind only Mountain House. Lathrop also ranked fifth among California cities under 300,000 residents for the largest numeric population increase. With the continued growth in the residential communities, our population is anticipated to reach approximately 70,000.

Supervision Received/Exercised

This position is part of the Government Services Department. Incumbent receives immediate direction and supervision from the Animal Center Supervisor, or designee. Incumbents do not routinely exercise supervision over other animal center staff or volunteers.

Essential Functions

• Performs general office duties; answers inquiries from the public, over the counter, by email and telephone, on law, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal care and control, and the animal center; assists the public in retrieving, reclaiming, or adopting animals; receives lost and found reports, provides public education on ordinances relating to the keeping and care of animals.
• Assists with the gathering of data related to the day-to-day functions of the Animal Center(s); maintains reports and logs; records animals claimed, adopted, released, and impounded; completes forms related to the behavior and disposition of animals for health and adoptability assessment purposes; maintains computer records as assigned; assists with collection of fees and the issuance of animal licensing; and maintains related records.
• Receives, unloads, and impounds unwanted, wild, and domestic animals from citizens and other Community Services staff; coordinates transfers to rescue organizations; assists the Animal Center Supervisor with euthanasia; unloads dead animals and disposes carcasses accordingly.
• Submits referrals for enforcement to Community Services Officer related to the non-compliance of animal related laws and ordinances.
• Cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, livestock corrals, food and water containers, toys, bedding, blankets, animal transport vehicles and related equipment; maintain all center areas clean, including sweeping, washing and mopping as needed.
• Proper use of center equipment, including but not limited to cleaning tools, disinfecting sprayer, ladders, and catch poles.
• Performs assessment of animal safety, health and temperament on arrival; monitors and observes animals for signs of illness or injury; reports symptoms to Animal Center Supervisor; remove animal waste products throughout the day; ensures proper and timely exercise and grooming of all animal; secures animals from inside to outside runs and agility courses.
• Feeds and provides water for animals as scheduled on a daily basis; stocks food and supplies; and maintain adequate inventory of all related food, medicine and cleaning supplies.
• Assists the Animal Center Supervisor with vaccinations of animals, administration of prescribed medications and injections as necessary; schedule veterinarian appointments as needed.
• Assist the public with locating of lost pets, including the viewing of animals dead on arrival as needed for identification; assist with handling of vicious animals by utilizing proper safety procedures and techniques; greet and escort the public to areas of the center, and coordinate animal meet and greet appointments for potential adoptions.
• Educates on quality pet care, animal abuse, dog attacks and bites, animal centers and animal control as and during special events; maintains city’s website with information related to the Animal Center operations and events, including information on animal care.
• May work overtime, standby, weekend, holiday, shift and call-back assignments; provides back-up to the Animal Center Supervisor as needed.
• Performs other duties as required, or as assigned.

Compensation

• Animal Center Assistant - $56,214 to $68,329 Annually

Experience And License/Certifications

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); one year related experience and/or training in the handling and or care of animals; equivalent combination of education and experience; or training and related experience that is acceptable to the City as animal handling or care experience.

License/Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license. Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Euthanasia Certificate.

Physical Working Conditions

Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work. Position requires prolonged sitting, running, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, repetitive hand movement, climbing fences, and crawling under houses in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when performing investigations, operating assigned equipment and reading correspondence, statistical data and using a computer. The need to lift, carry and push animals and supplies weighing 100 pounds or more, with the proper lifting carrying, pushing and/or pulling techniques to minimize risk, may also be required. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Additionally, the incumbent may be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, disease, or pathogenic substances. The incumbent may be exposed to waste and infectious materials, and use cleaning chemicals, which may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to handle aggressive and biting animals/wildlife attacks; handle and move dead animals; drive motorized vehicles, work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions, and often work with constant interruptions.

EEOC

The City of Lathrop is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City to provide employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factor.

Reasonable Accommodations

The City of Lathrop is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations during the application, examination, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [phone] at least five days prior to the scheduled date or deadline.

The City of Lathrop offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Retirement

• Tier one - CalPERS Classic employees prior to April 30, 2011; 2% at 55 Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement benefit.
  • Employee contribution is 7%.
• Tier two - CalPERS Classic employees hired after April 29, 2011; 2% at 60 Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement benefit.
  • Employee contribution is 7%
• Tier three - New CalPERS members hired after December 31, 2012; 2% at 62 Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
  • Employee contribution is 7.75%

Social Security/Medicare

No participation in Social Security; there is a deduction for Medicare

Retiree Health

• City-paid retiree medical 55-65 = same health benefits premium as active employees (Retiree +1)
• City-paid medical at Medicare eligibility (65) = Minimum Employer Contribution ($158 for 2025)
• Vesting Schedule upon retirement from the City:
• Hired on or before December 31, 2014, 100% vested
• Hired on or after January 1, 2015
  • 25% vested at 5 years
  • 50 % vested at 10 years
  • 100% vested at 15 years

Health Insurance

The City’s base contribution toward medical, dental and vision is $2,187. If medical is selected, the City shall contribute an additional $200 per month for employee + 1 coverage, or an additional $300 per month for family coverage.

Vacation

• 0-4 Years: 80 hours (accrued bi-weekly)
• 5-9 Years: 120 hours (accrued bi-weekly)
• 10+ Years: 160 hours (accrued bi-weekly)

Holidays

Twelve days annually and one floating holiday. New employees hired after July 1st shall not accrue a floating holiday until the following July 1st.

Sick Leave

96 hours (accrued bi-weekly). Upon accumulation of 96 hours sick time, up to 40 hours may be converted to vacation as outlined in the Personnel Rules and Regulations.

Term Life Insurance

City paid coverage equal to annual salary.

Deferred Compensation

Voluntary employee participation in four (4) 457 plans.

Employee Assistance Program

The EAP provides clinical and short-term counseling, as well as assistance for financial, legal, childcare and eldercare issues.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $3,000 per calendar year with pre-approval.

Flexible Spending

Voluntary employee participation in medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.