Animal Care Technician
The City of Sacramento requires all newly appointed employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:
- Humanely feed, water, control, and provide treatment/care for all impounded animals in accordance to safety and personal protection policies.
- Visually conduct inspections or evaluations and monitor animals to identify and document potential medical issues, signs of illness, and abnormal behaviors/temperament; determine placement suitability; make euthanasia recommendations; and participate in behavior modification and enrichment programs.
- Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and other areas of the Animal Care Services Center to maintain a sanitary facility for shelter animals and the public.
- Perform humane euthanasia as directed in accordance with department policy.
- Process in and outcome impounded animals and maintain all related records.
- Under the direction of the veterinarian, provide medical treatment, prepare dosage and administer medication to animals; draw blood and obtain laboratory samples (i.e. rabies specimen) for testing; administer IV fluids; and may assist with obtaining digital X-Rays.
- Perform adoption counseling.
- Provide courteous and professional customer service.
- Humanely capture loose animals, control fractious animals and break up dog fights that occur at the facility.
- Perform behavior evaluations on animals as directed in accordance with department policy.
- Participate in animal behavior modification and enrichment programs.
- Make euthanasia recommendations for animals that are human aggressive, animal aggressive, and irremediably suffering.
- Handle deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals, and sharps; vaccinate animals.
- Train and supervise volunteers.
Knowledge of:
- Common practices, materials and methods used in cleaning and caring for animals and related facilities and equipment.
- Physical and behavioral characteristics of various animal species. The symptoms of common animal diseases.
- Occupational hazards and safety precautions of work around small and large animals.
- Basic math, including fractions.
Ability to:
- Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
- Safely care for and physically control domestic and exotic animals and reptiles.
- Recognize and identify symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other domestic animal diseases.
- Perform humane euthanasia of animals.
- Carry out oral and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, volunteers, vendors, and members of the public.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One year of experience in the care and treatment of animals. Examples of qualifying experience are: Veterinary Assistant, Registered Veterinary Technician, kennel attendant in a high-volume public or private facility, SPCA, or animal shelter.
OR
Two years of City of Sacramento volunteer experience in animal care. AND
Education:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent.