ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

Animal Care Technician

This recruitment is continuous and will be open till filled. All applicants are encouraged to apply promptly as this recruitment may close at any time without notice. 20 hours/week, maximum 999 hours in fiscal year (weekend and holiday hours may be required).

Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties related to the care, feeding, handling, and treatment of animals housed at the City of Norco Animal Shelter. Responsibilities include cleaning and maintaining kennels and shelter facilities; monitoring animal health and behavior; administering medications; performing humane euthanasia; maintaining animal records; and assisting with daily shelter operations.

The Animal Care Technician performs all duties of a Kennel Aide and provides additional support with animal medical care, recordkeeping, volunteer activities, and shelter operations. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and the safe handling of animals, medications, cleaning products, and equipment. The position also assists the Animal Services Superintendent with shelter procedures and provides coverage for kennel and front counter staff as needed.

Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required.

Examples of Duties

Feeds, waters, cleans, and provides daily care for animals housed at the shelter. Cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, feeding equipment, animal housing areas, and shelter grounds. Handles and restrains animals of varying sizes and temperaments, including sick, injured, frightened, or aggressive animals. Observes animals for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral concerns and reports changes in their condition to supervisory personnel. Provides basic animal enrichment, exercise, and socialization as appropriate.

Administers prescribed medications and treatments as authorized and directed. Follows medication instructions, including dosage, frequency, handling, and storage requirements. Maintains accurate records of medications administered, medical treatments, and animal health conditions in the shelter management software. Performs humane euthanasia of animals upon obtaining the required certification and authorization, in accordance with applicable laws and established shelter procedures. Maintains required training and certification.

Updates animal records in the shelter management software, including medical histories, behavioral observations, treatments, and changes in animal condition. Ensures information is entered accurately and in a timely manner.

Cleans and maintains shelter facilities using approved cleaning products, disinfectants, and equipment. Follows manufacturer instructions, chemical labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and established safety procedures for the proper mixing, handling, storage, and use of cleaning chemicals. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment and follows procedures to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of disease. Performs minor maintenance and reports unsafe conditions or needed repairs.

Monitors shelter supplies and assists with maintaining inventories of animal food, medications, cleaning products, and equipment. Picks up food and supplies from vendors or other locations as needed. Transports animals to and from veterinary offices, clinics, and other facilities, ensuring animals are safely secured during transport. Assists Animal Control Officers with field duties and animal handling as directed.

Provides information to the public regarding animal adoptions, licensing, vaccinations, responsible pet ownership, and shelter services. Assists front counter staff with telephone calls, customer inquiries, animal intake and release procedures, and general office duties. Provides coverage for front desk and kennel personnel during absences, breaks, or periods of increased activity.

Provides guidance to volunteers and court-assigned workers regarding animal care, kennel cleaning, sanitation, and safe animal handling procedures. Assists the Animal Services Superintendent with reviewing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and identifying improvements to shelter operations. Assists with City events, adoption programs, community outreach activities, and other assigned programs. Attends required training and performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain these qualifications is as follows:

Experience: A minimum of twelve (12) months of full-time or eighteen (18) months of part-time paid or volunteer experience caring for and handling animals.

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Knowledge of:

• General care, feeding, handling, and behavior of domestic animals, livestock, and commonly encountered wildlife.
• Animal shelter operations, kennel cleaning, sanitation, and disease prevention.
• Common signs of animal illness, injury, stress, and behavioral concerns.
• Proper handling, storage, and administration of animal medications.
• Safe use of cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment.
• Humane euthanasia procedures and applicable animal welfare requirements.
• Basic computer operations, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Customer service and effective communication practices.

Ability to:

• Safely handle, restrain, and care for animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Recognize and report changes in animal health, condition, and behavior.
• Follow written and verbal instructions, particularly those involving medications, chemicals, and animal care procedures.
• Maintain accurate animal records and medication histories using shelter management software.
• Perform humane euthanasia upon obtaining the required certification and authorization.
• Properly clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and shelter facilities.
• Safely operate City vehicles and transport animals and supplies.
• Communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, veterinary professionals, and the public.
• Provide guidance and direction to volunteers and assigned workers.
• Work independently, organize daily assignments, and respond to changing shelter needs.
• Exercise good judgment, maintain attention to detail, and follow established safety procedures.
• Perform physically demanding work and remain professional in difficult or stressful situations.
• Work evenings, weekends, holidays, and varying schedules as assigned.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• California Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Euthanasia Certification: Must obtain and maintain certification in humane animal euthanasia in accordance with applicable California laws and regulations, including California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 2039, within six (6) months of appointment.
• Must complete additional training as required by the City.

Supplemental Information

Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Manual dexterity sufficient to use hand tools, write, use telephone, two-way radio and related equipment. Vision sufficient to read printed materials. Hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone or on a two-way radio and be heard and clearly understood in conversations; speaking ability in an understandable way, with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and on a two-way radio.

Physical agility to maneuver animals occasionally weighing up to 100 pounds, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead to attend to animals, pushing/pulling of animal cages and equipment and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time. No severe allergic reactions to animals. Physical mobility sufficient to sit in a vehicle for prolonged period of time, stand, walk, and/or run in pursuit of animals on uneven surfaces, physical strength to lift up to 100 lbs several times per day; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgements and decisions.

All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster. Employee must complete required FEMA courses within six months of employment.

Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process. Before submitting an application, please read the minimum qualifications for the position.

Final appointments will be subject to a selection interview with the Animal Control Superintendent and the remaining conditional steps in the hiring process. Applicants selected for testing will be notified by Human Resources.

Applications must be received in the Human Resources Division. Position will remain open until filled. Applicants must complete and submit an original City of Norco employment application, resumes are not accepted in lieu of a City application. Faxes or emails will not be accepted.

Cover letters and/or resumes are encouraged to be included with the application to help outline the candidates experience/qualifications for the position.

The City of Norco is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation,