Source Shelter Assessment Registered Veterinary Technician

Job Type

Full-time

The RVT or Veterinary Assistant plays a critical part in identifying and preparing animals for transfer into the organization’s adoption program, while also reducing workload on source shelters. This position bridges medical, behavioral, foster, and operational teams to ensure animals selected from partner shelters are appropriate candidates for adoption, receive necessary care, and are safely and efficiently transported to the SF SPCA.

The role combines technical veterinary skills with an understanding of canine and feline body language and behavioral cues.

The RVT/VA will collaborate closely with partner shelters and continue to build and strengthen relationships currently in place to help support the SF SPCA mission.

• Conduct thorough medical and behavior assessments on animals at source shelters to determine their suitability for the organization’s adoption program based on current SF SPCA intake criteria.
• Collaborate with SF SPCA Intake, Shelter Medicine, Foster, and Behavior teams to align assessments with current intake criteria.
• Generate transfer manifests based on assessment findings and shelter capacity data.
• Perform regular walkthroughs of source shelters to identify and prioritize animals for transfer.
• Assist with animal transfers from Central Valley source shelters to the SF SPCA, ensuring animals are safely transported and accurately documented.
• Collaborate and build relationships with source shelter staff to understand operational challenges, identify opportunities for support, and strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Support source shelters in identifying and implementing solutions to their challenges within their existing capacity.
• Provide medical treatments under both direct and indirect supervision of a DVM, including but not limited to vaccinations, parasite control, and minor treatments as needed.
• Review and interpret medical and behavioral records, consulting with veterinary and behavior teams to make informed recommendations about transfer suitability.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in PetPoint and other tracking systems.
• Reports to the Director of Shelter Medicine Operations.

• Licensed Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the state of California or experienced Veterinary Assistant with relevant shelter experience.
• 2-3 years of experience in shelter medicine or animal welfare organizations preferred.
• Fear free certified or willing to be certified within 30 days of hire.
• Experience conducting medical and behavioral assessments in a shelter, clinic, or rescue environment.
• Experience with humane animal handling and restraint techniques on healthy, ill and feral animals.
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, vision, and success of the San Francisco SPCA.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a diverse range of audiences and settings.
• Ability to understand and communicate pertinent medical information with both medical staff and lay people.
• Comfortable and proficient with MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, One Drive, One Note), veterinary practice software (Ezy Vet), and shelter software (e.g. Petpoint).
• Strong understanding of animal welfare, infectious disease control, and behavioral assessment.
• Self-motivated and adaptable, able to shift priorities in response to organizational needs and shelter population demands.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and organizations.
• Ability to drive between source shelter destinations and assist with animal transport (valid CA driver’s license and reliable transportation required).
• Accountability and reliability in decisions and outcomes.

The starting salary depends on depth and breadth of experience. Expected range is $31 - $35 per hour.

Regular, full-time positions are eligible for a benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching
• Student debt relief program
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits
• Mental health and wellbeing support with Talkspace
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital and Clinic

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.