ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

20 HOURS/WEEK, MAXIMUM 999 HOURS IN FISCAL YEAR

(weekend and holiday hours may be required)

Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties related to the care, feeding, handling, and treatment of animals housed at the City of Norco Animal Shelter. Responsibilities include cleaning and maintaining kennels and shelter facilities; monitoring animal health and behavior; administering medications; performing humane euthanasia; maintaining animal records; and assisting with daily shelter operations.

The Animal Care Technician performs all duties of a Kennel Aide and provides additional support with animal medical care, recordkeeping, volunteer activities, and shelter operations. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and the safe handling of animals, medications, cleaning products, and equipment. The position also assists the Animal Services Superintendent with shelter procedures and provides coverage for kennel and front counter staff as needed.

Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required.

Feeds, waters, cleans, and provides daily care for animals housed at the shelter. Cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, feeding equipment, animal housing areas, and shelter grounds. Handles and restrains animals of varying sizes and temperaments, including sick, injured, frightened, or aggressive animals. Observes animals for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral concerns and reports changes in their condition to supervisory personnel. Provides basic animal enrichment, exercise, and socialization as appropriate.

Administers prescribed medications and treatments as authorized and directed. Follows medication instructions, including dosage, frequency, handling, and storage requirements. Maintains accurate records of medications administered, medical treatments, and animal health conditions in the shelter management software. Performs humane euthanasia of animals upon obtaining the required certification and authorization, in accordance with applicable laws and established shelter procedures. Maintains required training and certification.

Updates animal records in the shelter management software, including medical histories, behavioral observations, treatments, and changes in animal condition. Ensures information is entered accurately and in a timely manner.

Cleans and maintains shelter facilities using approved cleaning products, disinfectants, and equipment. Follows manufacturer instructions, chemical labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and established safety procedures for the proper mixing, handling, storage, and use of cleaning chemicals. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment and follows procedures to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of disease. Performs minor maintenance and reports unsafe conditions or needed repairs.

Monitors shelter supplies and assists with maintaining inventories of animal food, medications, cleaning products, and equipment. Picks up food and supplies from vendors or other locations as needed. Transports animals to and from veterinary offices, clinics, and other facilities, ensuring animals are safely secured during transport. Assists Animal Control Officers with field duties and animal handling as directed.

Provides information to the public regarding animal adoptions, licensing, vaccinations, responsible pet ownership, and shelter services. Assists front counter staff with telephone calls, customer inquiries, animal intake and release procedures, and general office duties. Provides coverage for front desk and kennel personnel during absences, breaks, or periods of increased activity.

Provides guidance to volunteers and court-assigned workers regarding animal care, kennel cleaning, sanitation, and safe animal handling procedures. Assists the Animal Services Superintendent with reviewing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and identifying improvements to shelter operations. Assists with City events, adoption programs, community outreach activities, and other assigned programs. Attends required training and performs other related duties as assigned.

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain these qualifications is as follows:

Experience: A minimum of twelve (12) months of full-time or eighteen (18) months of part-time paid or volunteer experience caring for and handling animals.

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Knowledge of:

Ability to:

Licenses and Certifications Required:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Manual dexterity su?cient to use hand tools, write, use telephone, two-way radio and related equipment. Vision su?cient to read printed materials. Hearing su?cient to conduct in person and telephone or on a two-way radio and be heard and clearly understood in conversations; speaking ability in an understandable way, with su?cient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and on a two-way radio.

Physical agility to maneuver animals occasionally weighing up to 100 pounds, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead to attend to animals, pushing/pulling of animal cages and equipment and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time. No severe allergic reactions to animals. Physical mobility su?cient to sit in a vehicle for prolonged period of  time, stand, walk, and/or run in pursuit of animals on uneven surfaces, physical strength to lift up to 100 lbs several times per day; physical stamina su?cient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, de?ne problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgements and decisions.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:

All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster. Employee must complete required FEMA courses within six months of employment.

SELECTION PROCESS: Only those candidates who have the best combination of quali?cations in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum quali?cations does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process. Before submitting an application, please read the minimum quali?cations for the position.

Final appointments will be subject to a selection interview with the Animal Control Superintendent and the remaining conditional steps in the hiring process. Applicants selected for testing will be noti?ed by Human Resources. 

FILING PERIOD: Applications must be received in the Human Resources Division. Position will remain open until ?lled. Applicants must complete and submit an original City of Norco employment application, resumes are not accepted in lieu of a City application. Faxes or emails will not be accepted.

Cover letters and/or resumes are encouraged to be included with the application to help outline the candidates experience/quali?cations for the position.

APPLY TO: City of Norco only portal.

The City of Norco is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious a?liation, sexual orientation, maritial status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services and activities accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to participate in this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources O?ce prior to the ?ling deadline. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.