Senior Animal Center Technician

The Position

Why join the Contra Costa Animal Services Department?

The Animal Services Department is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all people and animals in our community. We shelter homeless, abandoned, and lost animals and work to keep and place animals in safe, caring homes. We also provide education and services to enhance the lives of people and their animal companions and to strengthen the human-animal bond.

We are seeking and looking to add one (1) Senior Animal Center Technician to join our dedicated and compassionate Animal Services team!

Under general supervision, the Senior Animal Center Technician provides lead direction to kennel staff, supports shelter management and veterinarians in delivering health care to shelter animals, performs euthanasia when required, and ensures the kennels are kept clean, sanitary, organized and shall perform other related work as required.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about animal welfare, experienced in shelter operations, and ready to take on a lead role in a dynamic and rewarding environment

You will directly impact the lives of the animals and residents in the communities we serve while working with a great team who are passionate about what they do. It will be challenging, fast-paced, and never boring!

We are looking for someone who is:

• A leader: A natural coordinator and motivator who will help the Center Operations Supervisor lead with integrity, remain calm under pressure, and is committed to creating positive outcomes for animals and the community alike.
• Engaged: Has a strong background and knowledge of animal breeds and species, along with kennel sanitation practices and a drive to do right by our animals, staff, and community.
• A team player: Assists in leading the Animal Center Technician Department and is productive and proactive alongside our other divisions.
• Compassionate: Cares about others and wants to provide aid. Prioritizes the welfare of individual animals and the shelter.
• Flexible: Able to assess, adapt, and move forward in an environment that can change rapidly.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing daily lead direction and support to Animal Center Technicians and volunteers.
• Assisting Veterinarians in the medical care of shelter animals.
• Performing humane euthanasia of animals by injection when necessary.
• Maintaining accurate records.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing kennels and shelter areas.
• Training and guiding new Animal Center Technician staff in proper animal handling and shelter procedures and document their progress.
• Training and guiding volunteers in proper shelter procedures and provide documentation of their progress to the Shelter Volunteer Coordinator.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be helping animals and people in the community.
• You will work in a cohesive team with individuals who are passionate about their job.
• You will interact daily with the public.
• The environment ebbs and flows, the animal population is always in flux.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• The environment is of busy and is fast paced with little down time
• You will be in a position that is physically demanding.
• You will be exposed to situations concerning animals that may be disturbing and can be mentally taxing.

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information.
• Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Preforming under physically demanding conditions.
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles and personal accountability.
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing.
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals through clear, concise, and tactful strategies.

To read the complete job description, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/5163 .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process.

Certification: Appointees must obtain a valid Euthanasia certificate that is recognized by the State Humane Association of California and the California Animal Control Directors Association OR be in possession of a Registered Veterinary Technician certificate issued by the State of California within 12 months of hire.

Certification: Appointees must obtain a valid Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) required by the Department of Consumers Affairs Veterinary Medical Board within 12 months of hire and maintain this certification throughout the duration of their employment OR be in possession of a Registered Veterinary Technician certificate issued by the State of California within 12 months of hire.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience performing duties at the level of Animal Center Technician in Contra Costa County.

OR

Experience: One (1) year of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience in a municipal animal shelter.
AND
Certification: Possession of a valid Registered Veterinary Technician certificate issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board.

Background Requirements: Must be able to successfully pass a thorough background investigation.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Online Multiple-Choice Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online multiple-choice assessment. The multiple-choice assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Senior Animal Center Technician classification. These may include but are not limited to: Safety Focus, Handling Stress, Professional Integrity and Ethics, Self-management, Written Communication, and Customer Focus. Candidates must receive a score of at least 70%, which may be an adjusted score, in order to be ranked on the employment list. (Weighted 100%).

TENTATIVE EXAM DATES

Multiple Choice Test: Tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely): 6/11/2025-6/16/2025

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alex Johnson at Alex.Johnson@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 5/29/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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