Temporary Animal Care Technician

County of Riverside; Thousand Palms (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Riverside operates its Animal Services facilities with a focus on humane care and responsible pet ownership. This temporary Animal Care Technician role supports daily shelter operations, feeding and caring for impounded animals, assisting with adoptions and guiding the public on pet care and retention.

Selected candidates will receive training in animal care, customer service, handling and humane euthanasia, and facility maintenance.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, understand and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Comfort working in an animal shelter environment and performing repetitive cleaning tasks.
• Effective communication with staff, volunteers and the public to educate on pet care and adoption options.

Responsibilities

• Maintain clean, sanitary kennels, equipment and work areas.
• Provide daily feeding, monitoring and care for impounded animals.
• Assist with adoptions and reunifications; counsel the public on pet ownership.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Chameleon Database

Job description

The County of Riverside's Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) is seeking a Temporary Animal Care Technician to support the Department of Animal Services facilities in Thousand Palms. Applicants with previous experience working with animals are preferred. Under general supervision, this entry-level role performs daily tasks to maintain sanitary conditions at animal shelters and off-site events, feeds and cares for impounded animals, assists with adoptions and reunifications, and counsels the public on responsible pet ownership and animal retention. Animal Care Technicians also receive training and certification in animal care, customer service, animal handling, humane euthanasia and animal disposal, and facility and equipment maintenance. This classification differs from the Animal Control and Licensing Officer series, which may assist in shelters but also performs fieldwork and enforces animal control regulations.

Some duties may include:

• Maintain clean, sanitary conditions at the shelter and all off-site event locations.
• Provide daily feeding, monitoring, and general care for all impounded animals.
• Support animal adoptions and assist with reunifying lost pets with their owners.
• Educate and counsel community members on responsible pet ownership and animal retention.
• Perform routine maintenance of shelter facilities, grounds, and equipment.

Important:

Applicants should be aware that extensive cleaning and physically demanding work are essential functions of this position and will comprise a significant portion of the daily duties. Candidates should be comfortable working in an animal shelter environment and performing repetitive cleaning and sanitation tasks around animal waste, odors, and other conditions associated with animal care.

Meet the team:

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

About TAP

TAP recruitment details: The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at-will basis.

TAP Benefits: https://rc-hr.com/files/users/user116/COR_2026_TAP_Guide_FINAL.pdf (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)

Please note: Temporary employes are not eligible for vacation or holiday pay.

• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels, equipment and work areas to prevent spread of zoonotic diseases.
• Feed and water animals daily.
• Assist with humane euthanasia and disposal of animals.
• Utilize computer to enter and update animal records in Chameleon Database.
• Daily review of animal inventory; may move animals as needed within the shelter.
• Unload and impound incoming animals received from Animal Control and Licensing Officers and the public.
• Counsel owners who are relinquishing their pets by providing them information on adoptability of their animal or information regarding alternative options.
• Provide customer service to all shelter visitors and staff.
• Educate the public on age, breed, characteristics, and care/treatment of shelter animals; may respond to inquiries from the public regarding retention and disposal of animals.
• May be specifically assigned and act as point of contact for rescue groups (i.e., adoption partners), coordinating the adoption of shelter animals and developing/maintaining relationships with adoption partners, and other related activities as assigned.
• May be required to assist in maintaining records and/or reports of inventories for food, supplies and equipment.
• Operate County vehicles to transport supplies, equipment or deceased/live animals; perform minor repair and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
• May assist trained personnel in performing minor repairs and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
• May assist with training new staff and/or volunteers.
• Participate in adoption events on and off-site, in and outside of County jurisdiction.
• Understand and support department policies, local city and county municipal codes/ordinances, and state laws related to animal welfare.
• Receive, load and unload supplies, materials and equipment from vendor trucks; operate forklift to move pallets; inspect for damage and quantity received against requisitions, invoices or freight bills.
• May be assigned to the care and treatment of equine, livestock and/or exotic animals.
• May assist in office by answering telephones, collecting fees and issuing receipts; may write incident reports.

Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.

Experience: None required.

Ability to: Read, understand and follow oral and written instructions in English; utilize computer to enter clear, concise and accurate information into Chameleon database; maintain records; perform basic mathematical calculations using addition and subtraction; work courteously and effectively to maintain effective working relationships with staff, rescue groups and the public; carry out routine and repetitive duties without immediate supervision; learn cleaning and disinfecting methods; learn care and feeding of animals; learn breeds and behaviors of animals; learn safe and proper handling of animals; learn, understand, interpret, and apply basic laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations governing the impounding, release and disposal of animals.

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Physical Requirements: Lift, carry, push, and pull heavy objects that may weigh more than 50 pounds.

A series of three Rabies vaccines is required prior to employment.

This recruitment is open to all applicants. Based on the number of applications received this posting may close early with or without notice.

Contact Carolina Pichardo at 951-955-3138 or at [e-mail]. For General inquiries, please allow up to two business days to receive a response.