Veterinary Assistant

City of San Bernardino; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the City of San Bernardino as a Veterinary Assistant, where you will support animal health and well-being in a dynamic shelter environment. Collaborate with veterinary staff to provide compassionate care, assist in medical procedures, and engage with the community to promote responsible pet ownership. This role requires a commitment to animal welfare and teamwork in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• One year of customer service or animal care experience required.
• Euthanasia Certificate and Veterinary Assistant Certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on care and treatment to shelter animals.
• Assist licensed veterinary professionals during examinations and surgeries.
• Administer medications and monitor animal health.

Skills

Animal Care Expertise

Communication Skills

Team oriented

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Are you a compassionate animal care professional looking to make a meaningful difference in your community? The City of San Bernardino invites you to join our Animal Services team as a Veterinary Assistant. This is your opportunity to support the health and well-being of animals while working alongside dedicated veterinary staff in a fast-paced, dynamic shelter environment.

About the City:
As a future member of our team, you’ll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in San Bernardino County, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city’s evolving identity.

San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It’s a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

About the Position:The Veterinary Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the daily operations of the City’s Animal Shelter, working closely with licensed veterinary staff and animal care professionals. This position provides hands-on care, treatment, and preventative services to both shelter animals and those owned by the public. Operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, the Veterinary Assistant ensures the well-being of animals while maintaining a high standard of service and compassion. This role requires flexibility, a strong commitment to animal care, and the ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.


The Ideal Candidate:

• Animal Care Expertise: Demonstrates a strong understanding of animal care best practices, including feeding, grooming, enrichment, and monitoring for signs of illness or distress. Applies compassionate care while ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of shelter animals.
• Medical Support: Comfortably assists licensed veterinary professionals during examinations, surgeries, and treatments. Follows proper protocols when administering medications, preparing surgical instruments, and maintaining detailed medical records.
• Communication Skills: Engages positively with the public, answering questions and providing guidance on animal care and adoption. Helps match adopters with suitable pets while promoting responsible pet ownership.
• Team oriented: Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and works collaboratively with veterinary staff, animal care personnel, and volunteers. Willingly steps in during emergencies or high-demand situations, including disaster response operations.

A Day in the Life Consists of:
As a Veterinary Assistant in the Animal Services Department, your work ensures that animals in the City’s care receive compassionate treatment and essential medical support. Your typical day includes:

• Animal Care and Handling: Receive and assess incoming animals, ensuring safe, compassionate handling and proper documentation.
• Support Medical Examinations: Assist veterinarians during exams and procedures; prepare equipment and maintain accurate medical records.
• Dispense Medication:Administer medications and treatments as directed, monitoring for reactions and keeping detailed logs.
• Montor Animal Health:Observe animal behavior and health, report concerns, and provide enrichment to support well-being.
• Assist in Surgery: Prepare animals and instruments for surgery, maintain sterile conditions, and support post-op care.

For more information on this position pleaseClick hereto view the Veterinary Assistant job description.

Education and Experience:High school diploma or equivalent; and one (1) year of customer service experience, or experience in the care and handling of animals in a veterinary or kennel care setting. Prior animal hospital experience is highly desirable.
Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:A valid State driver’s license is required.Euthanasia Certificate Preferred.Veterinary Assistant Certificate Preferred.Physical Requirements and Work Environment:The employee frequently works in veterinary setting or shelter. The employee is often exposed to dangerous, injured, or diseased animals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions; fumes or airborne articles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and zoonotic and other communicable diseases. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud within confined areas. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to manipulate, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Knowledgeof:

• animal behavior, anatomy, and common animal diseases.
• care and feeding of animals.
• cleaning and disinfecting methods.
• cleaning procedures and appropriate cleaning agents, supplies and equipment.
• techniques of administering medications and treatments to animals.
• general surgical procedures and equipment used in an animal health clinic.
• inventorying and maintaining pharmaceutical supplies and equipment.

Skill in:

• handle and care for animals in a humane manner.
• recognize abnormal behavioral and physical symptoms in animals.
• safely handle and maintain clinic medical instruments and equipment.
• develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• deal tactfully with the public; learn how to maintain simple records and make reports as necessary.

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment will close on May 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Applications review: Week of May 26, 2025

1st Interview: Week of June 2, 2025, or agreed upon date by both HR recruiter & Dept. (TENTATIVE)

2nd Interview: Week of June 9, 2025, or agreed upon date by both HR recruiter & Dept. (TENTATIVE)

Anticipated Start Date: June 23, 2025

** All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the personnel officer**

All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City’s official website at www.sbcity.org.This recruitment will remain open until May 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made, and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.

Successful candidates shall be required to:

• Pass a reference and background verification. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
• Degree verification
• Pass a pre-employment medical exam, which includes a Tuberculosis (TB) Exam, and Drug screen.
• Starting salary based on education and/or experience and internal equity.

E-Verify Participation

The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States.

Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov

Disclaimers

The City of San Bernardino is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City follows a nepotism policy, which may impact hiring decisions if an applicant has relatives currently employed by the City.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at [phone].

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. Additional information is available at www.sbcity.org.