3370-Animal Care Attendant

Animal Care Attendant

Job classification

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Current compensation plan

Effective: Jul 01, 2022

See Historic and future compensation information for this class

Step:	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5	Step 6
Rate /hr:	$29.4000	$30.8750	$32.4125	$34.0250	$35.7250	$37.5125
Rate /biweekly:	$2,352.00	$2,470.00	$2,593.00	$2,722.00	$2,858.00	$3,001.00
Rate /year:	$61,152	$64,220	$67,418	$70,772	$74,308	$78,026

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Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB CODE TITLE: ANIMAL CARE ATTENDANT

JOB CODE: 3370

INTRODUCTION

Under direct supervision, the Animal Care Attendant maintains safe and sanitary facilities for shelter or museum animals and the public, and provides humane handling and care for shelter or museum animals; and performs related duties.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class is distinguished from Class 3372 Animal Control Officer in that the latter works in the field and is responsible for the enforcement of animal control laws. It is distinguished from Class 3320 Animal Keeper in that the latter is responsible for the care and feeding of animals at the San Francisco Zoo, including rare or valuable specimens. This class is further distinguished from the 1434 Shelter Service Representative by the latter’s responsibility for performing a variety of specialized clerical and customer service functions.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None. Positions in this class may be assigned lead worker responsibilities. May oversee and train volunteers.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

When assigned to Animal Care and Control, performs all assignments according to state law and/or department protocols:

1. Cleans and disinfects kennels, wards, cages, equipment, runs and common areas of the facility with appropriate cleaning agents in order to maintain a healthy, clean, safe and sanitary facility for shelter animals and the public.

2. Humanely handles and kennels all animals and identifies shelter animals with appropriate tags or bands before kenneling, including animals which may be ill, injured, quarantined, aggressive or difficult to control and wildlife such as snakes, skunks, pigeons and raccoons.

3. Provides food, water and proper care for all shelter animals.

4. Under the direct and indirect supervision of the Shelter Veterinarian, administers medication, vaccinations and microchips, conducts feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukemia virus (FIV/FELV) testing through venipuncture and provides treatment to all shelter animals and documents this activity in animals’ medical records.

5. Monitors all animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined, for signs of illness or unusual behavior; makes notations and reports problems regarding health and behavior of animals to the Animal Care Supervisor and/or Veterinary Medical services staff.

6. Performs the euthanasia of animals by intravenous injection with controlled substances; disposes of the euthanized animal; when necessary, decapitates animals for rabies laboratory testing, stores remains and prepares and processes related documentation; may assist in the determination of animals to be euthanized; administers Schedule 2 barbiturates and/or narcotics.

7. Maintains accurate and legible case files and records for each animal in the shelter; uses a computer to input, update and access information regarding shelter animals and to produce written documents.

8. Provides information and assists members of the public, including individuals who may be angry, hostile or distraught, in search of lost or adoptable pets; assist potential adopters with information about animals’ needs, temperament, behavior and care.

9. May assist management, the Veterinary Medical staff and other individuals, in animal husbandry, surgery or related procedures, as required by law and departmental policy.

10. Transports animals, specimens, supplies and equipment to pet adoption events, satellite adoption centers, veterinary clinics, laboratories, wildlife centers and humane societies for treatment, testing and relocation as necessary.

11. Performs related duties as assigned.

When assigned to the Recreation and Park Department:

1. Feeds, cleans and handles a wide variety of over 50 wild and domestic animals; cleans animal exhibits, enclosures and terrariums, including the removal of urine and feces, dirty bedding, mopping out and scrubbing down of animal enclosures; cleans outside of exhibits, including windows, cabinets, signage.

2. Prepares food for animal’s diets, inventories food stores and restocks as needed. Food preparation includes chopping vegetables, using a food processor, measuring out food and dietary supplements.

3. Under direct supervision of the veterinarian, performs regular animal health checks to examine for signs of disease or ill health; maintains animal medical records; monitors health and condition of animals, notifies supervisor of changes and /or commences treatment if necessary; medicates sick, injured or infirm animals with topical, oral, or subcutaneous medications if trained; takes fecal and urine samples for examination by veterinary staff; maintains animal hygiene: trimming nails, beaks, bathing, dipping etc.; hand raises animals as needed; euthanizes animals with CO2 as required for feeding other animals or for health reasons, as directed by veterinarian.

4. Ensures safe, appropriate housing for all species; maintains exhibits in the animal area under coordinator supervision; attaches or replaces fittings, hinges, locks, hasps; sets up enclosures for use by animals by assembling and attaching perches, shelves, branches, rocks, and other materials.

5. Exercises animals and observes their behavior to determine their health, well-being and suitability for the museum.

6. Interprets live animal exhibits to the general public and organized groups of children and adults in verbal format; answers questions from the public; as needed, presents educational animal presentations to school, community groups and the public; assists with preparing exhibit signage and other written materials.

7. Guides and works with interns and teen and adult volunteers in working with the public, animal care and handling; assigns tasks to volunteers, insures proper supervision of public animal area and insures necessary animal care and public safety; assists in planning for docent and teen volunteer classes.

8. Represents the museum and presents programs at department and community events.

9. Evaluates, plans, researches, develops and presents/builds future programs and exhibits; participates in the planning and implementation of museum wide special events.

10. Identifies safety hazards to public, staff and animals.

11. Performs related duties as required.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Industrial cleaning and sanitation, including safe and effective mixture and use of various cleaning agents and chemical compounds; methods for safe and humane handling and restraint of a variety of animals.

When assigned to the Recreation and Park Department, additionally requires:

Knowledge and understanding of natural history subjects related to animals in their natural habitat; and knowledge of local flora in order to secure suitable foliage for exhibits.

Ability to: Learn procedures for and properly perform: euthanasia of animals, decapitation for rabies testing, collect blood samples for feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukemia virus (FIV/FELV) testing, animal first aid, and storage of animal remains and lab specimens; learn and identify the characteristics of different species and breeds, symptoms of common animal illnesses, and symptoms which may necessitate medical attention; administer topical, oral , subcutaneous and intravenous medication and injections; humanely handle and care for animals; maintain cleanliness of shelter facility, cages and kennels; interact courteously and effectively with co-workers, staff, volunteers 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; speak clearly and effectively, listen and elicit information in order to communicate work-related information; read and understand written instructions, procedures and memos; accurately document information in case records and files; prioritize and complete routine assignments with minimal direct oversight and within established timeframes; learn to use a computer to access, input and retrieve work-related information; bend, stoop, stretch, and crawl in the performance of assigned duties; lift and carry objects and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; perform general labor duties for extended periods of time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

When assigned to Animal Care and Control:

1. Six (6) months verifiable hands-on professional or volunteer experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and/or houses animals (e.g. animal care/control agency, humane society, veterinary hospital, boarding or pet day care facility, or pet store), working principally with dogs and cats; OR

2. 30 semester or 45 quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university.

When assigned to the Recreation and Park Department:

1. One (1) year verifiable experience in caring for animals in a park, zoo, museum or university setting and three (3) months experience in presenting public education programs; OR

2. 30 semester or 45 quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Possession and maintenance of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Special requirement: Must complete euthanasia training within six (6) months of appointment.

Working conditions: Exposure to strong and/or unpleasant odors, including those from animal excrement, cleaning agents and chemical compounds, and frequent exposure to extreme noise.

ORIGINATION DATE: 5/15/89

AMENDED DATE: 8/26/13

REASON FOR AMENDMENT To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City 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.

Historic and future compensation

Effective (Sched)	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5	Step 6
Jul 01, 2022 (W)	$29.4000	$30.8750	$32.4125	$34.0250	$35.7250	$37.5125
Jan 08, 2022 (V)	$27.9375	$29.3375	$30.8000	$32.3250	$33.9375	$35.6375
Jul 01, 2021 (U)	$27.8000	$29.1875	$30.6500	$32.1625	$33.7625	$35.4625
Dec 26, 2020 (T)	$26.8500	$28.2000	$29.6125	$31.0750	$32.6125	$34.2625
Jul 01, 2020 (S)	$26.0625	$27.3750	$28.7500	$30.1750	$31.6625	$33.2625