Animal Care Attendant - Public Works

San Jose Animal Care Services, a division in the Public Works Department is currently seeking to fill four (4) full-time Animal Care Attendant vacancies. Both day and night shifts are available.  

Animal Care Attendants report to the Shelter Manager of Animal Care and Services and are primarily responsible for feeding, caring for, and moving shelter animals; euthanizing animals; and cleaning and disinfecting kennels and cages. Other duties may include receiving animals brought to the shelter by Animal Control Officers or the public; assisting the public in claiming impounded animals or in adoptions; completing and maintaining animal records; responding to questions regarding age, breed characteristics and treatment of animals; and explaining and interpreting animal control laws, ordinances, regulations, procedures, and policies to the public.  

Animal Care Attendants are required to work weekends, holidays, nights, rotating shifts, and respond to emergency animal services assignments during off-duty hours.  

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds while handling animals and equipment. Employees may work outside and be exposed to inclement weather, may be exposed to blood borne pathogens while using hypodermic needles on animals, may be exposed to animal scratches and bites, and may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, gases, chemicals, pollens, and other airborne irritants.  

This position will undergo training (4-6 weeks) during normal business hours and will be scheduled to work 5 days a week in either a daytime shift OR overnight shift (e.g. 9:00 pm to 5:30 am) after training has been completed. This position will be required to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and respond to emergency animal services assignments. 

Salary ranges for this classification are: 

Animal Care Attendant I: The hourly range for Animal Care Attendant I is $25.44 - $30.94 approximately.  

This range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. 

Education and Experience: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate). 

Acceptable Substitution: None. 

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.): Obtain euthanasia certification within one (1) year of date of hire. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. 

Basic Competencies 

(Needed at entry into the job in order to perform the essential duties.) 

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. 

• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts. 

• Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel. 

• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills. 

• Customer Service – Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor. 

• Flexibility - Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment. 

• Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s). 

• Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate. 

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. 

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Crystal Diaz at crystal.diaz@sanjoseca.gov.