Animal Center Assistant

City of Lathrop•Lathrop, CA

About The Position

The City of Lathrop is hiring multiple Animal Center Assistants in the Government Services Department. This entry-level, single-position classification is responsible for a wide variety of animal-care duties in a municipal animal center. Incumbents perform routine work while learning applicable state and local laws, policies, and procedures; they gain greater independence as they develop experience. The position is alternatively staffed with the Animal Center Supervisor, who administers the City’s Animal Center services and programs. The Animal Center Assistant receives immediate direction from the Animal Center Supervisor or designee and does not routinely supervise other staff or volunteers. The schedule is 4/10 and may include weekends and holidays. Overtime, standby, weekend, holiday, shift, and call-back assignments may be required. The posted annual salary range is $56,214 to $68,329. The role combines public service and office work with hands-on care of domestic and wild animals. Duties include assisting the public with lost, found, reclaimed, and adoptable animals; maintaining records and supplies; receiving and caring for animals; cleaning and maintaining center facilities and equipment; monitoring animal health and behavior; and supporting the Animal Center Supervisor with animal treatments and other center operations. The work can involve sustained physical activity, lifting or moving animals and supplies weighing 100 pounds or more, outdoor work in varied weather, exposure to cleaning chemicals and infectious or hazardous materials, and handling aggressive animals and dead animals. A high school diploma or GED and one year of related animal handling or care experience and/or training are required, or an equivalent combination acceptable to the City. A valid California Class C driver’s license and a Euthanasia Certificate are required, or the ability to obtain them.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
One year of related experience and/or training in animal handling or care, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, or training and related experience acceptable to the City as animal handling or care experience.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver’s license.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Euthanasia Certificate.
Ability to perform sustained, moderately physically demanding work, including sitting, running, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, repetitive hand movements, climbing fences, and crawling under houses.
Ability to lift, carry, and push animals and supplies weighing 100 pounds or more using proper techniques.
Ability to use near and far vision and perceive and discriminate sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals.
Ability to work outdoors in varied and adverse environmental conditions, including exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, extreme temperatures and noise, hazardous materials, toxic agents, disease, and pathogenic substances.
Ability to work with waste and infectious materials and use cleaning chemicals, with possible exposure to fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
Ability to handle aggressive and biting animals and wildlife attacks, handle and move dead animals, drive motorized vehicles, work in heavy vehicle traffic, and manage frequent interruptions.

Responsibilities

Perform general office duties and answer public inquiries in person, by email, and by telephone about animal care and control laws, rules, regulations, and the animal center.
Assist members of the public with retrieving, reclaiming, or adopting animals; receive lost-and-found reports; and provide education about animal-keeping and care ordinances.
Gather day-to-day Animal Center data; maintain reports, logs, and computer records; record claimed, adopted, released, and impounded animals; and complete animal behavior and disposition forms for health and adoptability assessments.
Assist with fee collection and animal licensing, and maintain related records.
Receive, unload, and impound unwanted, wild, and domestic animals from citizens and other Community Services staff; coordinate transfers to rescue organizations; assist the Animal Center Supervisor with euthanasia; and unload and dispose of animal carcasses appropriately.
Submit referrals to the Community Services Officer regarding enforcement of animal-related laws and ordinances.
Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, livestock corrals, food and water containers, toys, bedding, blankets, animal transport vehicles, equipment, and center areas; use center equipment properly.
Assess arriving animals for safety, health, and temperament; monitor them for illness or injury and report symptoms to the Animal Center Supervisor; remove animal waste; and ensure animals receive timely exercise and grooming.
Move and secure animals between indoor and outdoor runs and agility courses.
Feed and water animals according to schedule; stock food and supplies; and maintain adequate inventories of food, medicine, and cleaning supplies.
Assist the Animal Center Supervisor with vaccinations, prescribed medications, and injections; schedule veterinary appointments as needed.
Help the public locate lost pets, including viewing animals dead on arrival for identification when needed; handle vicious animals using appropriate safety procedures; greet and escort visitors; and coordinate adoption meet-and-greet appointments.
Provide education at special events about quality pet care, animal abuse, dog attacks and bites, animal centers, and animal control.
Maintain the City website with information about Animal Center operations, events, and animal care.
Work overtime, standby, weekend, holiday, shift, or call-back assignments as needed; provide backup to the Animal Center Supervisor; and perform other assigned duties.