Animal Center Technician

Job Description:

Animal Center Technician

Description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 1 - Agricultural & Animal Control Unit

Why Join Contra Costa County Animal Services Department?
The Animal Services Department is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all people and animals in our community. We prioritize lifesaving as our guiding principle. We will shelter homeless, abandoned, and lost animals and work to keep and place animals in safe, caring homes. We also provide education and services to enhance the lives of people and their animal companions, and to strengthen the human-animal bond.

We are currently looking to add two (2) Animal Center Technicians to join our dedicated team. The position will be challenging and fast-paced, but never boring!

We are looking for someone who is:

• A hard worker. There is a high volume of animals that will need your care
• A great communicator. We have a big team and communication is key to success
• A team player. We have a strong group and are looking for others who will work hard alongside us
• Flexible. Things can change quickly, and you will need to adjust
• Willing to learn. We work with several different breeds and animals, and we would like you to learn more about them
• Honest. You may often work independently and will be responsible for sharing details of situations with your supervisor
• Compassionate. Have sympathy and concern for others including the animals

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Feeding and caring for our sheltered animals
• Updating electronic animal records and photos for the website
• Identifying symptoms of animal diseases
• Assisting our veterinarians with the treatment of animals
• Cleaning animal kennels, corrals, and holding facilities
• Greeting, directing, and assisting shelter visitors
• Providing intake services for animals brought into the shelter by the public

A few reasons why you might love this job:

• You will be helping animals and people in the community
• You may be able to advance in a career path of helping animals
• You will work on a cohesive team with individuals that are passionate about their job

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be required to perform euthanasia
• You will work in a busy, fast-paced environment
• You do not always have control over the outcome of the animals you are helping

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Performing under physically demanding conditions
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

To read the complete job description, please visit www.cccounty/hr .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate.

Certification: Appointees must successfully complete an initial period of training conducted by a licensed Veterinarian in the proper technique of humane euthanasia within twelve (12) months of hire.

Certification: Appointees must obtain a valid Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) required by the Department of Consumers Affairs Veterinary Medical Board within 12 months of hire and maintain this certification throughout the duration of their employment OR be in possession of a Registered Veterinary Technician certificate issued by the State of California within 12 months of hire.

Background Requirements: Must be able to successfully pass a thorough background investigation.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Multiple Choice Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the Animal Center Technician Multiple Choice Assessment. The multiple-choice assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Animal Center Technician classification. These may include, but are not limited t,o safety focus, handling stress, professional integrity and ethics, self-management, written communication, and customer focus. (Weighted 100%). The assessment may be administered remotely using a computer. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment. Hiring Interview: Will be scheduled once the eligible list has been established.
Tentative Dates:
Multiple Choice Assessment: 11/05/25 - 11/10/25

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Sanyukta Mohan Singh at Sanyukta.Singh@hrd.cccounty.us . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 10/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$55,390.82 - $67,327.88 Annually