Registered Veterinary Technician

City of Elk Grove•Elk Grove, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Elk Grove is looking for a Registered Veterinary Technician who is currently licensed in the state of California, or who has the ability to obtain a licensure by the time of initiation of the pre-employment background process, with training or experience supporting high volume spay/neuter surgery of dogs, cats, and rabbits. The ideal candidate will be efficient, detail oriented and will enjoy a fast-paced work environment. Familiarity with shelter medicine is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person. The schedule for this position is Wednesday - Saturday from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm. Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change) Filing Deadline : June 22, 2026 by 11:59 PM Oral Board Interviews: June 30, 2026 (Virtual) Selection Interviews: July 6, 2026 (In Person) The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, on-site wellness classes, a deferred compensation match and more. Community Profile Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year. Elk Grove Jobs Representative Duties Under general supervision, assists the veterinarian in the performance of medical procedures including surgical preparation, monitors patient vitals, and assists in recovery of animals; evaluates the health of animals housed at the City's Animal Shelter; maintains and updates medical records; assists with euthanasia process; and performs related duties as assigned. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from supervisor title or assigned management or supervisory personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This journey level classification is responsible for independently performing technical duties in support of animal care, treatment, and overall welfare. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Lifts, moves, and/or carries animals, applies restraints as needed; handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals; conducts health evaluations of animals; perform routine testing for disease as needed; clean and medicate for ringworm; administers injections of medication, vaccinations, tranquilizers, or other drugs; performs nail trimmings and implants microchips. Prepares clinic to perform medical procedures including ordering medical supplies; sterilizing and maintaining surgical packs; performing routine cleaning and general maintenance of medical equipment, facilities, and animal enclosures; conducts routine cleaning of medical instruments and laundered items. Prepares animals for surgery; administers anesthesia induction by inhalation or intravenous injection; assists veterinarian with surgery; performs post-surgery monitoring. Performs physical examination of animals and makes preliminary determination of the nature of an illness or injury; sutures wounds and performs minor medical procedures; takes and records temperature, pulse, and respiration. Collects and labels samples and specimens for culture, microscopic examination, and laboratory testing. Performs euthanasia of animals, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy; disposes of euthanized animals in accordance with established departmental procedure. Provides food and water for each animal under care; observes food consumption to ensure animals' overall health; administers medication as directed; maintains proper drug logs in accordance with established laws and departmental policy. Assists with the cleaning of cages and kennels; exercises animals; replaces bedding, toys, and litter pans; maintains animal health in medical areas including isolation and intensive care unit (ICU). Maintains documentation related to animal's health, treatment, and suitability for adoption; updates surgical or procedural records. Orders and receives controlled drugs; maintains controlled drug logs in accordance with established laws and department policy. May render emergency animal health care at the scene of an emergency. 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. Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Currently licensed in the state of California, or ability to obtain licensure by the time of initiation of the pre-employment background process
Training or experience supporting high volume spay/neuter surgery of dogs, cats, and rabbits
Knowledge of animal breeds, species, illnesses, vaccines, conditions, terms, behaviors
Knowledge of animal related codes and laws pertaining to care and welfare
Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices
Knowledge of physical and behavioral characteristics of various animal species
Knowledge of practices, methods, and materials used in cleaning animal facilities
Knowledge of aseptic surgical techniques, animal care and husbandry
Knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping
Knowledge of procedures to perform prophylactic evaluations, cleanings, and uncomplicated tooth extractions
Knowledge of procedures used to control, administer, and provide proper dosage of pharmaceuticals
Knowledge of safe and humane animal handling principles and practices
Knowledge of sterilization and surgical pack preparation procedures
Knowledge of recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division
Knowledge of methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence
Knowledge of City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
Knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging concepts and principles, including their significance in organizational dynamics and the functioning of the City and their impact on fostering innovation and collaboration
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
Knowledge of current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed
Ability to provide affection and concern for animals
Ability to utilize public relations techniques to interact with internal and external customers, including responding to general inquiries and complaints
Ability to effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit
Ability to utilize sterile technique and prepare animal aseptically
Ability to properly store, control, and dispose of pharmaceuticals
Ability to independently handle and care for animals housed in the City's Animal Shelter
Ability to learn to euthanize animals in a humane manner
Ability to learn to operate the equipment used in handling various types of animals
Ability to use techniques of safe practices for transporting, lifting, and carrying sedated animals of all sizes
Ability to plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines
Ability to perform proper restraint of fractious, dangerous, aggressive, or otherwise feral animals
Ability to recognize symptoms of common animal health concerns and disease
Ability to work safely with aggressive animals and hazardous chemicals
Ability to effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines
Ability to engage with a diverse public and workforce, facilitating inclusive service delivery, and implementing equitable city policies
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Associate degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in veterinary technology or a directly related field
One (1) year experience assisting a licensed veterinarian in providing medical treatment to animals in a veterinary hospital or shelter clinic setting
Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license (may be waived for individuals unable to obtain a driver’s license due to a disability)
Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of pre-employment background process initiation, registration as a Veterinary Technician by the California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with shelter medicine

Responsibilities

Assists the veterinarian in the performance of medical procedures including surgical preparation, monitors patient vitals, and assists in recovery of animals
Evaluates the health of animals housed at the City's Animal Shelter
Maintains and updates medical records
Assists with euthanasia process
Lifts, moves, and/or carries animals, applies restraints as needed
Handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals
Conducts health evaluations of animals
Performs routine testing for disease as needed
Cleans and medicates for ringworm
Administers injections of medication, vaccinations, tranquilizers, or other drugs
Performs nail trimmings and implants microchips
Prepares clinic to perform medical procedures including ordering medical supplies
Sterilizes and maintains surgical packs
Performs routine cleaning and general maintenance of medical equipment, facilities, and animal enclosures
Conducts routine cleaning of medical instruments and laundered items
Prepares animals for surgery
Administers anesthesia induction by inhalation or intravenous injection
Assists veterinarian with surgery
Performs post-surgery monitoring
Performs physical examination of animals and makes preliminary determination of the nature of an illness or injury
Sutures wounds and performs minor medical procedures
Takes and records temperature, pulse, and respiration
Collects and labels samples and specimens for culture, microscopic examination, and laboratory testing
Performs euthanasia of animals, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy
Disposes of euthanized animals in accordance with established departmental procedure
Provides food and water for each animal under care
Observes food consumption to ensure animals' overall health
Administers medication as directed
Maintains proper drug logs in accordance with established laws and departmental policy
Assists with the cleaning of cages and kennels
Exercises animals
Replaces bedding, toys, and litter pans
Maintains animal health in medical areas including isolation and intensive care unit (ICU)
Maintains documentation related to animal's health, treatment, and suitability for adoption
Updates surgical or procedural records
Orders and receives controlled drugs
Maintains controlled drug logs in accordance with established laws and department policy
Renders emergency animal health care at the scene of an emergency
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