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Animal Shelter Coordinator, Foster - Public Works

City of San Jose
San Jose, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/12/2025 CLOSED ON 1/5/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Shelter Coordinator, Foster - Public Works position at City of San Jose?

The City of San José is one of the nation's best-managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work, and do business. The employees of the City have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, and Celebration. The City's Public Works Department (PWD) is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees. The Department of Public Works is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating, and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services. 

San Jose Animal Care Services, a division in the Public Works Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Animal Shelter Coordinator, Foster vacancy. 

Salary range for this classification is $34.32 - $41.77/hour. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. 

The Animal Shelter Coordinator, Foster position has the responsibility to provide humane handling and care for animals sheltered at San Jose’s Animal Care Center and those in foster homes with a focus on building and maintaining relationships with foster volunteers, coordinating foster placements, tracking and following-up on animals in foster care, and managing the logistics associated with these functions. This position reports to the designated Animal Shelter Operations Supervisor and has lead responsibilities for Animal Care Attendants and program-related volunteers.  

This position will undergo 4 – 6 weeks of training during normal business hours. This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and respond to emergency animal services assignments.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

  • Establish and maintain connections with foster volunteers and networks to enhance collaboration and support, align efforts, and achieve goals. 
  • Maintain an organized, accessible list, including contact information of foster volunteers, and their preferred placements. 
  • Assist in identifying animals from the shelter that are suitable for fostering.
  • Communicate regularly with foster volunteers and ACS staff regarding the status of animals, including any medical requirements, adoption waivers, etc.
  • Oversee foster program to ensure resources and guidance are provided to foster volunteers so they may care for animals effectively. 
  • Work closely with the DPW Public Information Manager to promote ACS foster programs to the public. 
  • Monitor and observe animals for signs of illness or injury and seek medical care as necessary or separate sick and injured animals for observation; administer first aid or minor treatments to animals; assist the Shelter Veterinarian and/or Animal Health Technician in minor medical procedures such as vaccinations; quarantine potentially infectious animals, including those which may be rabid. 
  • Conduct behavior evaluations as needed for cats, dogs, and other animals.
  • Humanely euthanize and disposes of animals as necessary.
  • Act as a lead in the animal shelter over entry level animal care personnel, such as Animal Care Attendants; assign, schedule, inspect work, provide technical direction, determine priorities, and train staff and volunteers. May approve timecards and give input to the supervisor regarding performance evaluations, hiring, promotion, termination, and discipline of employees.  
  • Perform administrative duties such as completing and maintaining records (i.e., feeding, care needs, and holding periods for impounded animals, etc.), generating operational reports, maintaining inventories of food, equipment, supplies, animals, etc.  
  • Ability to handle animals humanely and safely using approved protocols and practices. 
  • Skilled in using the proper control techniques on animals entering the shelter.  

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this division or other divisions and departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment. 

Education: High School Diploma

Experience: One (1) year of experience similar in nature to an Animal Services Officer or Animal Care Attendant with the City of San José or two (2) years of experience in the care and handling of animals in a public or private facility that cares for and houses animals.

Certifications:

  • Valid California Driver’s License
  • Note: Incumbents will be required to obtain euthanasia certification within one year following employment.

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

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. Experience with a foster program, valid certification as a Registered Veterinary Technician, Euthanasia certification, ability to administer vaccinations, ability to recognize animal diseases, and the ability to evaluate temperament and behavior in dogs and cats is highly desirable.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

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

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.

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

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

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.


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. 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 Britney Mesa at britney.mesa@sanjoseca.gov.

Salary : $71,386 - $86,882

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