Career Opportunity

Animal Care Attendant (TEX 3370), Animal Care and Control

Recruitment: REF21532N

Published: January 19, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

The San Francisco Department of Animal Care & Control (SFACC) is a taxpayer-funded, open-admission animal shelter. Since 1989, SFACC has provided housing, care, and medical treatment to wild, exotic and domestic stray, lost, abandoned, sick, injured, and surrendered animals. SFACC’s doors are open to all animals in need regardless of species, medical, or behavioral condition. The shelter also enforces all state and local Animal Control and Welfare laws and is the first-responder for animals in natural disasters and citizen emergencies. SFACC shelters homeless, neglected, and abused animals and provide humane education and many other services to the community. SFACC is the local agency that investigates animal cruelty, enforces animal welfare laws, rescues injured and orphaned wildlife and birds, and aids domestic animals in distress. SFACC aims to adopt, re-home, or reunite domestic animals with their guardians and to release wildlife to their native habitat.

Role description

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.

How to qualify

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.

What else should I know?

What else should I know?

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Compensation: $61,152 to $78,026 annually

• Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment may close at any time, but not before Friday, February 3, 2023. 
• Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Mailed, hand delivered or faxed documents/applications will not be accepted. 
• For questions or inquiries, please contact: Breonna Santiago, Senior Human Resources Analyst at Breonna.Santiago@sfgov.org
• Your application MUST include a cover letter and resume. Additional attachments including verification of qualifying education and experience is highly recommended. To upload these item(s), please attach using the "additional attachments" function.

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point in the application and/or departmental selection process. Written verification (proof) of qualifying experience must verify that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications stated on the announcement. Written verification must be submitted on employer’s official letterhead, specifying name of employee, dates of employment, types of employment (part-time/full-time), job title(s), description of duties performed, and the verification must be signed by the employer. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which they are appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee’s class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Commission Rules. Experience claimed in self-employment must be supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to the minimum qualifications of the position. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupations and total earnings must be submitted. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=456.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. 
Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates’ qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to participate in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Qualified applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation in the selection process must contact the Agency by phone at (415) 554-6065 or, if hearing impaired at (415) 554-6015 (TTY).

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.