Veterinary Assistant - Animal Care Specialist I

Salary: $18.40 - $27.60 Hourly
Location : Bradenton, FL
Job Type: Full-Time (Hourly)
Job Number: 26-00231
Department: Community & Veterans Services
Division: Animal Control Shelter Ops
Opening Date: 04/23/2026
Closing Date: 6/1/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


General Information
Work Location: Manatee County Animal Welfare Bishop 5718 21st Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
Work Hours: There are not exact dates but it will be 4 x10 hour shifts, with some holiday and weekend coverage
Expected Starting Hourly Range: $18.40 - $23.00
Plays a direct role in achieving Manatee County's no-kill mission and goal by providing hands-on care for animals in the shelter, working with internal departments to find those animals homes wherever possible, and serving as ambassadors for county residents, volunteers, and adopters who visit the shelter. Contributes to the health, wellbeing, and general care of dogs and cats. Plays a unique role as the direct day-to-day connector between the animals in our care and our residents.

Working Conditions
Primarily animal shelter or outdoor field environment. Regularly performs moderately strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions, including rain, extreme heat and humidity, and long exposure to sunlight. Daily exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. High noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Periodically required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Periodic high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Regularly required to work other than normal business hours including nights, holidays, and weekends.

Job Description
Area of Assignment: Veterinary Assistant
The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the veterinary care provided to animals within the shelter environment. Working closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians and shelter staff, the Veterinary Assistant ensures the well-being and health of animals under the shelter's care. The role involves conducting daily health checks on incoming animals and closely monitoring their health and behavior while in the shelter. It includes identifying and reporting signs of illness or distress to the veterinary team and assisting veterinarians and veterinary technicians during medical procedures, surgeries and examinations. Responsibilities also include preparing surgical suite, handling and restraining animals safely, administering medications, and maintaining accurate health records. The position requires administering vaccinations, tracking vaccination schedules, providing post-surgery care, and other duties related to the medical department. Ensuring cleanliness and sanitation of animal areas and collaborating with shelter staff to enhance the animals' well-being and adoptability are also essential duties.

Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Assists with all aspects of the adoption process. Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.

Positively interacts with volunteers and promotes a team environment.

Greets visitors to the shelter, answers questions, and assists visitors with their needs.

Delivers excellent, non-judgmental customer service to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and transfer partners in a friendly, informative and professional manner.

Provides basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines, including feeding, watering, and light grooming.

Supports animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required records.

Provides socialization, enrichment, and exercise for animals as directed. These activities include but are not limited to dog walking, training and playgroup.

Identifies behavioral issues and shares observations with team members and leaders. Follows behavior or training plans developed for specific animals.

Assist Foster Coordinator with foster appointments, supplies, return surveys and inputting information to the database.

Cleans work areas and preserves physical appearance of buildings and grounds, including scooping, raking, sweeping, mopping, and trash removal. Notes maintenance or repairs needed and reports per protocol.

Follows policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.

Strictly adheres to established safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, and the general public.

Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor; this includes but is not limited to Defensive Dog Handling and Dogs Playing for Life.

Support Front Desk function processing adoptions, licenses, money handling and provide good customer service.

Respond to customer service in box and provide information about services provided by the facility.

Take lost & found reports and follow-up when a match has been found.

Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee's qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law. including work in the Emergency Operations Center and pet friendly shelters.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.

Six (6) months' work of veterinary experience with an animal shelter or similar organization required for Intake Coordinator and Vet Assistant positions.

More
Previous customer service experience desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong desire to work with animals.

Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete tasks within assigned timeframes. Able to resolve routine situations and problems.

Basic knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.

Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.

Basic knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.

Basic knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.

Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, adopters, volunteers, and other stakeholders.


Able to engage professionally during challenging conversations and accurately educate the public.

Capable of working under close supervision.
Veterans Preference

In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation with their application. We are committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.

EEO/ADA Statement

Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Drug-Free Workplace

Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
Full Time Positions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

• ComPsych- offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
• Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.

Wellbeing Benefits:

• Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)
• On-site Fitness Centers for you and your dependents with 24/7 access
• Personal Training (5 Free per year)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Group Fitness Classes
• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Management
• Diabetes Care Program
• Registered Dietician (5 Free per year)
• Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)

Miscellaneous Benefits:

• Workers' Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).

Paid Time Off:

• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Personal Sick Leave
• Family Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)
• Professional Medical Appointment Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Military Training Leave
• FMLA

Vacation Award: Applies to employees regulary sceduled to work 8 hours per day/40 hours per week.
Years of Service Vacation Days
0-5 16.25 days
6-10 19.50 days
11+ 22.75 days

• Earn an additional day of vacation every six (6) consecutive months of no sick leave.

Insurance:

• Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Prescription Insurance
• Life Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

Retirement:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.
• 457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.
• FRS Webinars
• Free financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial planner

Career Wellness:

• Professional Leadership Programs
• Instructor-Led and eLearning Training
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Career Counseling
• Toastmasters
• Networking Membership (Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance)
• Employee Recognition Programs with monetary and time-off awards

Education Benefits:

• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after six (6) months of Public Service, including GED reimbursement.
• Continuing Education support through Training/Seminars and Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladder.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexible Spending Account:

• Options for Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts providing pre-tax savings.

Permanent Part Time - Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
• ComPsych - offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
• Workers' Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Fitness Center Access for employee only
• FRS options
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).
Paid Time Off:
• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Paid Time Off and Leaves of Absence are based on an 8 hrs./day 80/hrs.
per pay-period basis, any work schedule less that this will be earned on
a pro-rated basis
01



VERY IMPORTANT - When answering supplemental questions about experience, education or certification, please be sure the information is reflected in the Education, Work Experience and Certificates and Licenses sections of your application.


Must include Monthly Salary, Name of Employer, Location, Phone Number and Duties for each employer in Work Experience.
Note: "See Resume" is not acceptable.


Identify all gaps not related to medical reasons.

• I acknowledge the above statement

02


If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, please check category of eligibility

• A disabled veteran who is eligible for receiving compensation under public law administered by Department of Veteran's Affairs and Department of Defense
• The spouse of a veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of total and permanent service-connected disability, or spouse of a veteran missing in action, captured or forcefully detained by a foreign power
• A wartime veteran who has served at least 1 day during a wartime period (active duty for training may not be eligible)
• An un-remarried widow or widower of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability
• The mother, father, legal guardian, or un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who died as a result of military service under combat-related conditions as verified by the U.S. Department of Defense
• A current member of any reserve component for the United States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard
• A veteran with a "Honorable" discharge (Active duty for training may not be allowed for eligibility)
• Not claiming Veteran's Preference

03


Which level of education have you achieved?

• No high school equivalency
• High school graduate/equivalent
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree

04


How many years of veterinary experience working with an animal shelter or similar organization?

• 0-5 months
• 6 months-1 year
• 2-3 years
• 4+ years

05


What previous roles have you held that you believe qualify you for this position?
Required Question