Animal Care Attendant

The PositionThis is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 9/4/2026, 9/18/2026, 10/16/2026 (Final)Under general supervision, the Animal Care Attendant feeds and cares for animals and maintains safe and sanitary kennel facilities and equipment at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter.Examples of Knowledge and AbilitiesKnowledge of:Practices, methods, and materials used in cleaning animal facilitiesFeeding and caring for animalsPhysical and behavioral characteristics of various animal speciesBasic symptoms of common animal diseasesAbility to:Work with co-workers, staff, volunteers, and members of the general public from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a courteous and effective mannerRead, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performanceWork safely with aggressive animalsLearn to euthanize animals in a safe and humane mannerLearn to operate the equipment used in handling various types of small and large animals, birds, reptiles, and livestockSafely operate a County vehicle in performance of dutiesEmployment QualificationsMinimum Qualifications Six months paid or unpaid full-time experience in the care and treatment of animals. Examples of qualifying experience are: veterinarian technician or helper, kennel attendant, S.P.C.A. attendant, zoo attendant, 4-H or farm experience, or animal training experience. Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.General Qualifications Background/Criminal History Check: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained. The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.Driver's License: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some positions in the Animal Care Attendant class series may require possession of a Registered Veterinary Technician license from the State of California. Failure to successfully obtain and maintain the required license may be cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Permit Requirement: In accordance with the State Veterinary Medical Board (VMB), incumbents appointed to this class shall be required to obtain a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit within three months of appointment. Failure to successfully obtain and maintain the required permit may be cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Age Requirement: Minimum age - 18 years. Physical Requirements: Positions in this class require incumbents to be able to:Stand and walk for extended periods of time.Bend, stoop, squat, and crawl in small, low, and/or confined areas.Climb ladders and work at aboveground levels.Lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift up to 80 pounds with assistance.Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Working Conditions: Positions in this class require the incumbents to:Be exposed to infectious, poisonous, and threatening animals.Be exposed to chemicals used to perform euthanasia.Work outdoor in all types of local weather conditions.Work around dust, dirt, and odors.Work in and around animal fur, dander and excrement.Work weekends, holidays, and non-routine hours, including fluctuating hours and after hours call outs.Work at various locations throughout the County.Wear a uniform that conforms to departmental standards.Probationary Period The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.BenefitsEmployee Benefits At Sacramento County, we strive to provide benefit programs designed to meet our employees' current and future needs and help them as they balance their careers and personal life. County of Sacramento employees have a variety of benefits available. These benefits include:Dental InsuranceVision BenefitsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Flexible Spending Account (FSA)Health InsuranceHealth Savings Account (HSA)Life InsuranceCritical IllnessRetiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP)Deferred CompensationMore information can be found on the Benefits website TEMPORARY POSITIONS: Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions. VACATION: Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days. HOLIDAYS: 14.5 holidays per year as recognized by the Board of Supervisors. SICK LEAVE: Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation.TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies may be eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement. RETIREMENT: The County's defined-benefit pension plan is provided by the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 and is managed by the Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System (SCERS) Board of Retirement. For more information, visit the SCERS website, DENTAL INSURANCE: For more information, visit the Benefits website LIFE INSURANCE: The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction.For more information, visit the Benefits website DEFERRED COMPENSATION: A deferred compensation program is available through the County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information, visit the Benefits website EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:Legal Advice/Difficult DecisionsMarriage or Family RelationshipsFinancial or Credit Worries/Elder CareAlcohol and Drug AbuseMore information can be found on the Benefits website WELLNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM: The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses.DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: Employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre-tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan. WORKERS' COMPENSATION: In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers'