ANIMAL SERVICE ASSISTANT

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RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
* Recruitment Closes:  April 30, 2026 OR when a sufficient number of applications have been received.  EARLY APPLICATION IS ENCOURAGED
* Written Exam date:  Wednesday, May 20, 2026  
*Selection Interviews (Tentative):  Week of June 2nd, 2026
DEFINITION
Under direct supervision, cleans and maintains the City’s animal shelter facility; feeds, monitors and handles domestic, livestock, or wildlife animals held at the shelter; assists the public in locating and handling animals; assists Animal Control Officers in running the shelter, as necessary; performs general clerical functions; and performs related duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct supervision from assigned supervisory or managerial personnel.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  May provide direction to volunteers, community service workers or temporary staff. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is an entry-level classification that performs a variety of duties related to the care of animals and the maintenance and cleaning of City animal shelter facilities.  Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic experience learn City systems, operations, practices, and procedures.   As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.   Assignments may vary with the skill and training of the incumbent.  This class is distinguished from the Animal Services Officer in that the latter class has responsibility for enforcing state and local laws related to the control of animals and is empowered with limited peace officer authority in the conduct of official duties.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives stray, unwanted, and other domestic animals, livestock, or wildlife at the City animal shelter from Animal Service Officers and the public.
• Monitors animals for signs of illness or injury and reports symptoms to appropriate staff.
• Administers basic medications, vaccinations, or treatments as directed by supervisor or veterinarian.
• Identifies behavioral triggers and stressors in animals; develops and implements basic behavior modification or enrichment plans to improve adoptability and well-being.
• Applies basic animal training techniques, including positive reinforcement, desensitization, and socialization, to support behavior management.
• Places animals in appropriate shelter areas according to species and special requirements, such as court-ordered quarantine or isolation pending identification of diseases.
• Scrapes, washes, disinfects, and dries kennel runs; cleans, changes, and disinfects cage linings.
• Feeds and provides water for animals; bathes animals and performs related animal grooming and care.
• Transports sick/injured animals to veterinarian as needed.
• Provides effective customer service; explains shelter policies and procedures.
• Assists the public in claiming lost animals or selecting pets for adoption.
• Assists in maintaining records and completes forms regarding the location, care, feeding, and disposition of shelter animals.
• Euthanizes animals by injection and disposes of unclaimed, sick, injured or aged animals..
• Stocks animal food and shelter supplies and maintains inventory.
• Performs general clerical work as required. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Basic health and safety issues related to handling and caring for animals.
• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic and common wild animals.
• Symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
• Safe and humane animal restraint and handling techniques.
• Principles of animal behavior, enrichment, and stress reduction.
• Methods and techniques of animal capture. 
• Basic animal training and behavior modification techniques, including positive reinforcement and socialization methods. 
• General custodial and grounds keeping methods and equipment.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Handle animals humanely and effectively under stressful circumstances.
• Respond calmly and effectively in an emergency situation.
• Recognize and assess behavioral issues and implement behavior modification or enrichment plans under supervision.
• Apply positive reinforcement and other basic training methods to improve animal behavior and adoption potential.
• Prepare accurate and complete records.
• Perform basic mathematical computations with accuracy.
• Learn to operate various equipment and tools used in shelter operations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures, and standards relevant to the shelter operations and care, keeping, treatment, and impounding of animals.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth (12^th) grade and one (1) year of experience working with animals in a humane care setting or other experience providing a basic understanding of animal care and handling. Experience in animal behavior assessment or basic animal training is highly desirable. Graduation from a Veterinarian Technician program may be substituted for the required experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license upon appointment.
• Possession of California Animal Control Directors Association (C.A.C.D.A) approved Humane Euthanasia Certificate within six (6) months of appointment. 
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard animal control facility and office setting, to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to walk on uneven terrain; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium physical work; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  Incumbents are primarily assigned to an animal control facility with frequent standing in work areas and walking between work areas.  Wrist flexion and lateral rotation are necessary in combination with grasping to handle a snare and leash.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.   Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees primarily work in an animal control facility with exposure to loud noise levels and may be exposed to animal hair, dust, and potentially hazardous physical substances.   Work involves potential exposure to wild, dangerous, and/or diseased animals, animals known to cause allergies, animal waste, and animal bites.  Employees may interact with upset residents and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City of Tracy employees are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers.  The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Labor Code.  In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee of the City may be assigned to perform activities which promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property.  Such assignments may require service at locations, times, and under conditions that are significantly different than the normal work assignments and may continue into the recovery phase of the emergency.  If a “Local Emergency” is declared during the employee’s shift, employees will be expected to remain at work to respond to the emergency needs of the community.  If a “Local Emergency” is declared outside of the employee’s shift, employees must make every effort to contact their direct supervisor or department head to obtain reporting instructions as Disaster Service Workers.

Salary : $50,381 - $61,239