Animal Care Attendant

County of Yolo • Woodland, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one (1) regular, full-time position in the class of Animal Care Attendant (ACA) in the Animal Services Division at the Department of Community Services (DCS). Under close supervision, the Animal Care Attendant performs a variety of entry-level duties related to the care, feeding, cleaning, and handling of animals housed at the Yolo County Animal Shelter. Incumbents maintain safe and sanitary kennel facilities, monitor animal health and behavior, and assist with daily shelter operations and related duties as assigned. This is a trainee-level classification within Animal Services is focused on hands-on animal care and shelter support functions. Positions in this class are responsible for ensuring animals receive proper daily care while helping maintain a clean, organized, and humane shelter environment. Incumbents work closely with shelter staff, volunteers, and the public while learning shelter procedures, animal handling techniques, sanitation protocols, and safety practices. Animal Services in Yolo County provides animal care and control services by contract to the County’s four incorporated cities, University of California, Davis, and unincorporated areas. This position offers valuable experience working with a wide variety of domestic animals in a fast-paced public service environment dedicated to animal welfare and community safety.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED certificate is required.
• Some positions in this classification may require incumbents to possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties.
• Compassionate, dependable, and committed to the humane care and treatment of animals.
• Experience working with animals in a shelter, veterinary, agricultural, rescue, or similar setting.
• Patience and confidence when handling animals with varying temperaments and medical conditions.
• Ability to work well in emotionally challenging and physically demanding environments.
• Maintain professionalism while performing repetitive cleaning and sanitation duties, handling distressed or aggressive animals, and assisting with difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, volunteers, and members of the public from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail.
• Safety-conscious, able to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Willing to learn proper animal handling techniques, shelter procedures, and disease prevention protocols.
• Takes pride in maintaining a clean and organized facility.
• Remains calm under pressure.
• Consistently demonstrates empathy, accountability, and a strong work ethic.

Nice To Haves

• Six months paid or unpaid full-time experience in the care and treatment of animals is highly desirable.
• Examples of desirable experience are: Veterinarian technician or helper, kennel attendant, S.P.C.A. attendant, zoo attendant, 4-H or farm experience, or animal training experience, etc.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of entry-level duties related to the care, feeding, cleaning, and handling of animals housed at the Yolo County Animal Shelter.
• Maintain safe and sanitary kennel facilities.
• Monitor animal health and behavior.
• Assist with daily shelter operations and related duties as assigned.
• Ensure animals receive proper daily care.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and humane shelter environment.
• Work closely with shelter staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Learn shelter procedures, animal handling techniques, sanitation protocols, and safety practices.
• Assist with difficult situations, including euthanasia procedures when necessary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED