What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Specialist Part-Time position at City of Laguna Beach?
The Schedule: This part-time position will work year-round and be required to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays. This position is also subject to being on-call for natural disasters and other emergency incidents that might require the evacuation and transportation of the animals.
What You’ll Be Great At:
- Making thoughtful, independent decisions
- Providing calm, friendly customer service
- Staying organized while multitasking
- Assessing animal behavior and health
- Handling animals with care and confidence
- Using basic computer programs
The normal duties for this position can be found in the job description for Animal Care Specialist Part-Time. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Any combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:
Education: High School diploma required, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in animal care/welfare, veterinary science, or a related subject is preferred.
Experience: One (1) year of experience working with domestic animals in a veterinary hospital or other animal facility, including kennel cleaning, animal care, and animal handling experience.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
The position is also subject to being on-call for natural disasters and other emergency incidents that might require the evacuation of the animal shelter and the transportation of the animals to alternative locations.
The Application/Selection Process: Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with a first review on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Applications will be screened carefully and selected candidates will be invited to a Department interview. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions.
Pre-Placement Process: A candidate selected for this position must successfully complete a police background check, a live-scan fingerprint check, and pre-employment physical examination including a drug test.
Physical, Mental and Environmental Working Conditions:
- All animals must be fed and cared for on a daily basis.
- Daily cleaning of kennels and cages and may require handling of large animals who are injured or medicated.
- Work is performed in a variety of environmental conditions and terrain with exposure to outdoor temperature variations, noise, fumes, cleansing agents, pesticides, disinfectants, animal fur, hair, dander and feces, feathers, sand, and dust.
- Physical demands require walking, running or standing on hard surfaces and uneven terrain for intermittent or prolonged periods of time; stooping, squatting, bending, twisting, reaching, and safely restraining, lifting and/or carrying moderately heavy objects or animals of up to 60 pounds.
- The employee must be able to see and hear in normal range with or without correction, and possess the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- The position requires the employee to work under pressure and maintain a fast pace.
Environmental Adaptability:
- Ability to work under sometimes unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as human or animal violence, traffic, wetness, dust or equipment and machinery poses a risk of injury
- May involve exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals, as well as other potentially hazardous substances.
Laguna Beach: With seven miles of City beaches and towering hills with captivating Pacific views, Laguna Beach residents enjoy some of the most stunning landscapes in Southern California. The City of Laguna Beach hosts millions of visitors to its world-famous arts festivals and beautiful beaches. Services provided to its resident population of approximately 23,000 include police, fire, marine safety, recreation, parks, public works, community development, parking, transit and animal control.
Salary : $25 - $31
