Senior Animal Care Technician - Jurupa Valley

County of Riverside•Jurupa, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The County of Riverside’s Department of Animal Services is hiring a Senior Animal Care Technician for the Shelter Care Division in Jurupa Valley. The position supports daily shelter operations and animal care, including feeding animals, cleaning and disinfecting kennels and enclosures, transporting animals, processing intakes, supporting stray animal diversion, impounding incoming animals, assisting with adoptions, and releasing animals for redemption or adoption. It also involves maintaining accurate records, logs, and inventories of animals, food, supplies, and equipment; ordering supplies; responding to public inquiries; and performing minor facility maintenance. The Senior Animal Care Technician assists the Animal Services Supervisor with schedules, staff briefings, and ongoing training; guides animal care staff and may oversee Work Release staff. The role includes humane euthanasia, disposal of deceased animals, and handling animals with wounds or skin conditions. Employees must safely handle animals of varied sizes, species, and temperaments in a fast-paced shelter environment. The work is physically demanding and primarily outdoors, including exposure to inclement weather and animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids, and wounds. The role requires frequent lifting and carrying, including objects over 50 pounds, prolonged standing and walking, and repetitive cleaning and sanitation. The schedule is 9/80 and requires availability for weekends, holidays, and special events; schedules may change based on operational needs. A valid California Driver’s License is required, and a series of three rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.

Requirements

High school graduation or a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.
Option I: Six months of animal care duties in a public or nonprofit animal control program; or Option II: One year of paid experience in a lead or supervisory capacity in a veterinary office, animal grooming, animal boarding and kennel facility, or similar setting involving animal care and handling.
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
A series of three rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
Ability to safely care for and handle animals, including frightened, injured, or aggressive animals, while avoiding injury to people and animals.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull heavy objects that may weigh more than 50 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and to handle exposure to animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids, and wounds.
Knowledge of animal-control and animal-protection laws and regulations; animal impounding, release, and disposal rules; animal breeds, behavior, care, feeding, and common diseases; rabies procedures; animal handling and restraint equipment; cleaning and disinfection; and proper use, maintenance, and storage of tranquilizer guns and related equipment.
Ability to investigate situations, gather information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; work independently on special assignments; schedule, assign, train, and review personnel; present evidence and testify in court; cooperate with the public and other animal-control agencies; interpret animal-control laws and regulations; and exercise good judgment in stressful situations.
Availability to work weekends, holidays, and special events as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Chameleon, a shelter case management system, including reviewing and evaluating other technicians’ notes and documentation.
Experience handling animals of varied sizes, species, and temperaments in a shelter or similar environment.
Leadership experience, including training staff and creating and coordinating team schedules.
Experience mentoring staff, supporting team development, and providing day-to-day leadership.
Strong customer service, verbal, and written communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

Responsibilities

Assist the Animal Services Supervisor in creating work schedules, lead animal care staff briefings, and plan and conduct ongoing staff training.
Provide guidance and direction to animal care staff and oversee Work Release staff as needed.
Clean and disinfect animal shelter enclosures, equipment, and work areas; feed and water animals.
Unload and impound animals received from Animal Control and Licensing Officers and the public.
Assist with adoptions and release animals to the public for redemption or adoption.
Maintain records, logs, and inventories of animals, food, supplies, and equipment.
Assist with euthanasia and disposal of animals.
Operate County vehicles to transport supplies, equipment, and live or deceased animals.
Perform minor repairs and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
Respond to public inquiries regarding animal care, retention, and disposal.
Order supplies and maintain supply stock.