Animal Care Specialist I​/II

About The Opportunity

THIS RECRUITMENT WILL CLOSE AFTER 50 APPLICATIONS ARE COLLECTED. PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED.

The Animal Care Specialist I is the trainee level in this series. Individuals in this classification are provided with on-the-job training and experience. This position performs a variety of skilled and unskilled duties in the general maintenance and care of animals including domestic pets, wildlife, and livestock. Incumbents have direct contact with the public, often in emotionally charged situations, providing information, explaining procedures and laws, and assisting with pet adoptions and reclaims.

The incumbent is also responsible for enforcing spay/neuter contracts, licensing ordinances, and issuing notices of violations and citations. Animal Care Specialists I are assigned to work in a specific functional service area on a rotating basis providing oversight to volunteer and Alternative Work Program participants. They also perform related duties as assigned and work under the general direction of the Animal Services Operations Supervisor.

The Animal Care Specialist II is the journey level in this series. This position performs a variety of skilled and unskilled duties in the general maintenance, care and disposal of animals. Cleans, sanitize kennels and cages, and handles difficult animals including domestic pets, wildlife and livestock. This position has direct contact with the public, often in emotionally charged situations. Provides information, explains procedures and laws and also assists with adoptions and reclaims.

This individual is also responsible for enforcing spay/neuter contracts, licensing ordinances and issuing notices of violations and citations. Animal Care Specialists are assigned to work in a specific functional service area on a rotating basis. They are responsible for all aspects of that part of the operation, including oversight of volunteer and Alternative Work Program participants. This individual is expected to function with minimum supervision and perform with more independence of action within established guidelines.

This classification is required to perform routine daily humane euthanasia and related duties as assigned. Works under the general direction of the Animal Services Operations Supervisor.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Community & Health Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes. Individuals who are in a full‑time classification position are required to serve a twelve‑month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months. Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday, and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at  the “Disability” tab.

• Receive, unload, process and impound animals from the general public and Animal Service Officers;
• Perform general, continuous clean up and maintenance of the assigned service area and grounds;
• Provide supervision and guidance to Alternative Work Program participants and/or volunteers at the center;
• Operate small trucks and stock trailers used in transporting animals, equipment and supplies;
• Examine animals to determine age/sex, behavioral characteristics and overall condition;
• Maintain inventory of food, tools and other related supplies;
• Conduct informational tours, educational tours for interested groups visiting the facility;
• Conduct animal adoption interviews with potential adopters;
• Administer vaccines and other prescribed medications to animals in our care;
• Assist the Animal Services Operations Supervisor and/or Animal Care Specialist II in performing humane euthanasia;
• Exercise tact, compassion, courtesy and poise while discharging assigned duties;
• Prepare legible, clearly written reports;
• Operate computer software for tracking animals;
• Go…