Animal Care Assistant

City of Elk Grove•Elk Grove, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Elk Grove has an immediate opening for a full-time Animal Care Assistant and multiple openings for temporary-part time Animal Care Assistants, to join the City’s animal shelter team. We are seeking compassionate, reliable, and hardworking individuals to join our team. This vital role supports the health and well-being of animals in our care and plays a key role in maintaining a safe, clean, and positive shelter environment. The ideal candidates will have experience working in animal shelters or similar environments, with a solid understanding of animal behavior and demonstrated skills in safe, humane animal handling. A calm and observant demeanor is essential, as well as the ability to respond appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of animals under stress. Strong teamwork and communication skills are important, as this position will work closely with fellow staff, volunteers, and the public. At the same time, they must be self-motivated and able to complete tasks independently with attention to detail and a commitment to high standards of care. If you are passionate about animal welfare and want to make a difference in the lives of animals every day, we encourage you to apply and become part of our mission-driven team.

Requirements

Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and six (6) months of animal shelter, animal care and protection, humane society, veterinary experience, or related job responsibilities.
Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate , valid California driver’s license. This requirement may be waived for individuals who are unable to obtain a driver’s license due to a disability.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in animal shelters or similar environments
Solid understanding of animal behavior
Demonstrated skills in safe, humane animal handling
Calm and observant demeanor
Ability to respond appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of animals under stress
Strong teamwork and communication skills
Self-motivated and able to complete tasks independently with attention to detail and a commitment to high standards of care

Responsibilities

Provide food and water for each animal; observes food consumption to ensure animals' overall health; observes animals' behavior and physical appearance; reports illness/injuries to supervisory personnel.
Properly cleans and disinfects enclosures and kennels; exercises animals; socializes animals; replaces bedding, toys, and litter pans; cleans linens and shelter equipment; maintains a clean and safe environment.
Maintains and updates records notating arrival/departure dates, disposals, adoptions, returns, animal owner information, current status of sheltered animal(s); update s animal records with behavior and health information; provides report of minor and serious concerns to supervisor for further action.
Accepts animals into shelter ; evaluates general condition and health of the animal; provides vaccination; and handles adoptions of animals and release of impounded animals to owners.
Monitor s inventory of essential items (such as food, litter, microchips, crates) and restocks supplies.
Collects fees and issues receipts for adoptions, the sale of dog licenses and spay/neutering certificates.
Answers inquiries from the public, both over the counter and by telephone, on laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal control and the animal shelter; a ssists customers with the animal adoption process and procedures; educates the public about responsible pet ownership.
Assists with the euthanasia of animals, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy; disposes of euthanized animals in accordance with established departmental procedure.
Provides information and assists members of the public, including individuals who may be angry, hostile, or distraught, in search of lost or adoptable pets according to established laws and departmental procedures.
Provides assistance and training to volunteers to help take care of the animals.
Performs related duties as assigned.