Animal Services Coordinator

Salary : $59,520.93 - $83,751.92 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 010820-26-CDD-2
Department: Community Development
Division: Animal Care/Shelter
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


THE POSITION
With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Animal Services Coordinator oversees the shelter's behavior programs and supports the placement of animals with rescue partners and other shelters. They serve as a behavior expert, ensuring all animals experience the Five Freedoms and receive appropriate behavior modification for identified challenges. The role includes developing and maintaining staff and volunteer training to promote humane animal care. Additionally, the coordinator assists in evaluating animals for euthanasia decisions, ensuring thoughtful and ethical outcomes.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience working with both dogs and cats and demonstrate a willingness to learn and work with additional species as needed. Candidates with Applied Animal Behavior certifications or degrees are strongly encouraged to apply. They will excel in customer service, possess strong networking abilities, and be comfortable delivering one-on-one or group training to staff, volunteers, and members of the public. The ideal candidate will also be prepared to work in an environment where euthanasia decisions occur and approach that responsibility with professionalism, compassion, and ethical judgment.

Under general supervision, the Animal Services Coordinator organizes and coordinates a variety of community outreach activities, events and programs in support of the City's animal shelter; oversees and coordinates adoptions, fostering and/or rescues; develops, plans and implements procedures to increase adoptions, fostering, and/or rescues; assists and educates families and volunteers on pet selection, pet care, and responsibilities; interviews families and volunteers who want to adopt or foster a pet; and works with other shelters and animal organizations to place animals in specialized care. Increases awareness of the animal programs within the community by utilizing media contacts, newspapers, and promotional events; works with business managers and private community leaders to schedule marketing events to support the programs and promotion of the animal shelter.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is a responsible paraprofessional position involving the coordination and administration of the pet adoption, fostering and rescue programs at offsite locations.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned management staff. May exercise direct supervision over non-career staff and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Provide onsite and offsite animal coordination and oversight.
• Confer, counsel and educate customers and volunteers on various pet breedsand City animal program policies and procedures.
• Explain state and local laws and ordinances, departmental policies and procedures, and information regarding pet ownership, licensing, adoption, fostering, rescuing and/or other animal issues to members of the public.
• Assist the public with animal adoption and fostering; collect information about animals and persons in accordance with department procedures; interview people and make decisions about the suitability for adoption, fostering, or volunteering.
• Coordinate and/or direct the selection of animals, collect necessary equipment, and arrange for transportation to offsite locations.
• Utilize appropriate websites, social media and other communication outlets to develop promotional campaigns regarding adopting, fostering and rescue programs, including activities and the need for volunteers and donations.
• Update and create volunteer opportunities for offsite community events for distribution on the shelter's automated volunteer system.
• Recruit, train and coordinate volunteer support for offsite community events.
• Facilitate and train volunteers in the areas of customer service, adoption, fostering, counseling, and safe animal handling.
• Assist in identifying grant and fundraising opportunities pertaining to adoption. fostering and rescuing.
• Maintain records and statistics for all offsite events; monitor and report results for performance measures.
• Collaborate with other agencies on jointly sponsored projects and services.
• Assist in the preparation of reports for presentation to City commissions and committees; assist in the preparation of federal/state reports; maintain files and records.
• Coordinate assigned activities and programs with other City departments and divisions, outside agencies, and service providers.
• Participate in meetings with public groups, clubs, organizations and agencies to explain, promote services offered by the animal shelter; participate in, activities and programs that encourage community participation.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures used in developing and implementing pet adoption, pet fostering, and rescue programs.
• Basic techniques of project and program management.
• Pet breeds, typical dog and cat behavior.
• Basic symptoms of common animal illnesses.
• Proper methods and techniques used to care for, safely handle and restrain animals to avoid injury to persons or animals.
• Speak, read, and write English at a level necessary for effective performance.
• Basic principles of public relations, customer service and public speaking. Record keeping and reporting practices.

Skill in:

• Providing customer service.
• Modern office equipment including computers, computer applications and software.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job. Collect, compile, organize, analyze, and interpret data.
• Learn the operation of the City's animal shelter programs and software systems.
• Develop, conduct and/or coordinate adoptions and fostering, education, public relations, and outreach efforts, and organize community events.
• Implement and coordinate animal programs suited to meet the needs of the community.
• Understand, interpret, and explain program policies and procedures.
• Plan and organize work to meet deadlines and changing priorities. Exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Perform job tasks with minimal supervision.
• Make presentations to citizen groups, employees, volunteers, etc.
• Train and supervise volunteer and non-career personnel.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objective of the unit.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on issues in area of responsibility.

Experience and Training
Two (2) years full-time experience in animal welfare, one (1) year of which must have included training, teaching, or providing animal services education.


Substitution:
Successful completion of college-level courses with major course work in psychology, sociology, business administration, public administration, marketing, communications, animal welfare or veterinary administration, or a closely related field may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis. Completion of thirty (30) semester units is equivalent to one year of experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are typically required of an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.


Work Conditions:
Must perform shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime may also be required.


Physical Requirements:
On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; stand, walk, and bend while monitoring adoption programs; squat, climb, kneel and twist intermittently when setting up various adoption events; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; may occasionally lift or carry a weight of 50 pounds or less.


Environmental Conditions:
Incumbents must be able to work in or around animal fur, dander, and excrement and deal with and protect against infectious and aggressive animals. Incumbents will travel to and participate in various events throughout the City which may involve exposure to traffic and inclement weather conditions.


PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.
THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.

• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:

• If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).

• If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.

• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.

• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.

• If you're requesting Veteran's credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline. Information regarding the use of Veteran's credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C.

• Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) -The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.

• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate's eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Animal Services Coordinator examination.
4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass LiveScan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.
QUESTIONS: For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.

• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at

• Send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io; or

• Call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.


Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules:


Union Contracts:
Salary Schedule:
01



APPLICATION : I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions:

• Yes

02



PROOF OF EDUCATION: To qualify for this classification you may use education or experience as listed in the substitution option to provide required knowledge, skills, and abilities.I understand proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with my application and will be required at the time of appointment if I am using education to qualify for this position.Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Proof of Education Requirements ( for information on accepted documentation.

• Yes

03



EDUCATION CONFIRMATION: If I am using education to qualify for this position, I attest I possess or will possess the following level of education in psychology, sociology, business administration, public administration, marketing, communications, animal welfare or veterinary administration, or a closely related field by time of appointment if I am selected for this position

• No units from an accredited college or university
• Less than 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• Associates Degree
• 90 semester or 135 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate

04



DRIVER'S LICENSE CONFIRMATION: I attest I possess or will possess a valid California Class C Driver's License by the time of appointment if I am selected for this position.

• Yes
• No

05



SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE : The answers to the questions below will be reviewed by the hiring department along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing this Supplemental Questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation may negatively affect the hiring department's review of your Supplemental Questionnaire. I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

06


Describe your experience coordinating animal rescue efforts within a municipal animal shelter, including the types of rescue activities or responsibilities you have managed.
07


Describe your experience working with animal behavior in a shelter environment, including the types of behavioral assessments, interventions, or related responsibilities you have performed.
08


Describe your experience implementing strategies to reduce stress in shelter animals, including approaches you have used with both cats and dogs.
09



TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION : The following questions are the Training and Experience (T&E) Examination. In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, applicants must complete and submit online responses to the T&E questions. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. Therefore, your responses to the T&E Exam questions should be thorough and complete because the exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. In accordance with the City of Sacramento's Racial and Gender Equity Action Plan (RGEAP), this examination contains non-binary names and pronouns. For additional information regarding the City's RGEAP, please copy and paste the following link into a web browser: I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

10


Select all the boxes that best describe your experience and/or education assessing animal behavior to identify appropriate placement for adoptions and/or foster/rescue placements.

• Observing the animal's behavior
• Reviewing the animal's medical needs
• Consideration of a positive outcome for the animal
• Consideration for previous placement history
• Consideration for the placement's ability to care for the animal
• None

11


Select the one option that best describes your experience and/or education recruiting and coordinating volunteers to facilitate or promote animal adoptions and foster/rescue placements.

• Four years or more
• At least three years, but less than four years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• At least one year, but less than two years
• Less than one year

12


Select all the boxes that best describe the techniques you have used to manage a project related to the care of animals.

• Manage timeline for the project
• Manage process improvement of project
• Manage resources (commodities and/or people) needed to complete the project
• Manage funding allocation
• Manage impact to animals
• Manage changing priorities and deadlines
• Delegate work assignments
• Measure the success of the project
• None of the above

13


Select the one option that best describes your experience and/or education presenting information to recruit volunteers and/or promote animal services to public groups, clubs, organizations, and/or classmates.

• Four years or more
• At least three years, but less than four years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• At least one year, but less than two years
• Less than one year

14


Select the one option that best describes your experience and/or education establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the public, volunteers, leadership, colleagues, professors, and/or department personnel.

• Four years or more
• At least three years, but less than four years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• At least one year, but less than two years
• Less than one year

Required Question