What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Animal Care Technician position at County of Monterey?
A Drug-Free Workplace
Invites your interest for the position of
Senior Animal Care Technician
$4,955 – $6,768 per Month
Exam # P26/70B04/07PH
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Monterey County Health Department is seeking a Senior Animal Care Technician for the Animal Services Bureau. This position will work at the Animal Services facility, known as Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS), located at 160 Hitchcock Road in Salinas. HRAS currently provides Animal related services for Monterey County and Salinas as well as some other local cities. This position works in our customer services unit and is primarily tasked with assisting customers that may include Monterey County and Salinas residents, pet owners, pet adopters, rescue partners and other agencies. This position performs and serves as the lead worker to personnel engaged in maintaining the County’s animal shelter in a clean and sanitary manner while providing sheltered animals with humane care and attention.
The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flyer.
This is a Promotional Only recruitment; open only to current regular Monterey County employees and former employees whose names currently appear on a Recall List.
- Assists Animal Services Supervisor with planning, scheduling, assigning, and monitoring daily activities of Animal Care Technicians; oversees the daily operation of the shelter in the absence of the Animal Services Supervisor; reports to the supervisor periodically on individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and training needs.
- Provides on the job training and instructions to subordinate staff; provides input to performance evaluations and makes recommendations to the supervisor/manager regarding recognition of outstanding performance and performance improvement required.
- Conducts general health checks, administers medicine, and vaccinates animals. Provides special care when advised of animals requiring medication, treatment, and/or special needs.
- Cleans, disinfects, and maintains various animal quarters, accompanying areas, supplies and equipment in a sanitary condition. Washes dishes and laundry.
- Euthanizes, makes recommendations for euthanasia in supervisor’s absence, records use of controlled drugs utilized in the euthanasia process, disposes of animals, and maintains records on the disposition of animals.
- Performs behavioral and temperament assessments, makes recommendations and decisions regarding whether animals are suitable for adoption or appropriate for euthanasia.
- Ensures that staff members are aware of and in compliance with established safety practices and procedures.
To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website: Senior Animal Care Technician
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Thorough Knowledge of:
- General care, nutrition, and handling of a variety of animal breeds and species.
- Appropriate quarantine and infection control procedures.
- Safe and effective procedures for industrial cleaning and sanitation of kennels and other areas.
- Methods for the safe, effective and humane handling and restraint of a variety of animals, including animals, which may be ill, injured, quarantined, aggressive or difficult to control.
- Techniques for administering vaccinations and euthanasia by injection.
Working Knowledge of:
- Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing the impound, release or euthanasia of animals.
- Animal first aid techniques and symptoms of animal diseases common to domestic animals.
Some Knowledge of:
- Basic practices and techniques in leading a work crew including assist and organize team to accomplish work; coach, facilitate, solve work problems, and recommend disciplinary measures as needed.
Skill and Ability to:
- Train staff in the safe and humane care of animals and cleaning of kennel facilities.
- Humanely and safely handle frightened, injured, ill and/or aggressive animals.
- Properly care for and handle different breeds and species of animals.
- Exercise good judgment while working under pressure.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing in order to understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Deal courteously and effectively with co-workers, staff and members of the general public from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, including individuals who may be angry, hostile or distraught.
- Maintain effective, cooperative and professional working relationships.
- Maintain accurate and legible records.
- Tolerate the euthanasia of animals.
- Move and transport animals.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Ability to speak, read, and write effectively in English and Spanish.
The knowledge and skills listed above may be acquired through various types of education, training, or experience, typically:
Experience:
Thirty semester/forty-five quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university, AND two years of hands-on experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and houses animals (e.g. animal shelter, veterinary hospital or boarding facility), working principally with dogs and cats.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
- Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
- Pursuant to Section 2039 of the State of California Code of Regulations, Title 16, successful completion of euthanasia training and certification is required for positions in this class at the time of hire.
- Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekend, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency
- Work in a facility operated 365 days per year, and work irregular hours, including weekend and holiday assignments
- Work in a facility where there is daily exposure to infectious diseases, parasites, and animal waste.
- Work in a physically and emotionally demanding environment.
- Work under adverse conditions, such as inclement weather, and a noisy environment.
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.
NOTES:
- As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
- Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
- If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCEDURES
Apply on-line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty
by the final filing date of Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST).
or
Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours,
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:
Monterey County Health Department
Attn: Human Resources Division
1270 Natividad Road
Salinas, CA 93906.
Phone: (831) 755-4519 Fax: (831) 796-8682
The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:
- A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
- Responses to the Supplemental Questions
Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application
To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline of Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST) to VeteransPreferencePoints@countyofmonterey.gov
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Priscilla Herrera, Human Resources Analyst II, at (831) 755 – 4515 or herrerap1@countyofmonterey.gov.
Salary : $29 - $39