The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Animal Services Department?
Oakland Animal Services (OAS) is Oakland’s only “open admission” shelter. This means we take animals regardless of age, breed, temperament or medical condition. In 2023, we took in over 7,200 animals. We are a City agency that proudly provides public safety and animal welfare services as well as human health and social services. We are here to serve our community's residents.
OAS staff provides critical services to our community, sheltering thousands of stray animals each year and responding to animal-related calls for service in Oakland. We enforce animal-related welfare laws, rescue lost and abandoned animals from the streets, protect animals from abusive owners, assist in prosecutions for abuse and neglect, investigate animal bites, and promote responsible pet ownership and humane care.
OAS has an exciting opportunity for one (1) Veterinary Assistant. If you love working with animals and playing a crucial role in caring for animals, come and be a member of a caring and progressive team at OAS! You will be joining a dedicated and progressive veterinary team, made up of one full-time Veterinarian, one part-time Veterinarian, and two Registered Veterinary Technicians.
This is an entry-level technical classification which provides examination, medical care and treatment to all impounded animals housed at the shelter. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in that the incumbent of the latter must possess an RVT license in the State of California to practice. It is further distinguished from the lower-level Animal Care Attendant in that the latter is responsible for the care and daily feeding of animals. The incumbent receives general supervision from the Veterinarian and may provide training to Animal Care Attendants.
We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about helping animals. You will play an important role in caring for animals during their stay at the shelter.
• Resilient. You will need to be capable of maintaining a positive attitude in a challenging and highly emotional work environment. The animal shelter is often full and has limited resources.
• Experienced in handling diverse animals. You will be responsible for a wide variety of animals, including those that are fearful or difficult to handle.
• Flexible. You will be working in a quickly changing environment, where priorities may change frequently.
• Non-judgmental. You will come in contact with people from different backgrounds and often who are experiencing challenging circumstances.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Communicating with the Veterinarian and following up on animal health concerns.
• Providing medicine to animals, following the Veterinarian’s instructions.
• Preparing surgery packs and other supplies for surgery.
• Assisting the Veterinarian with surgery and other procedures.
• Assisting with tracking the inventory of veterinary supplies.
• Scheduling animals for spay/neuter and other procedures.
• Providing follow up care to animals following surgery.

Veterinary Assistant
A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be helping animals who have no other place to go.
• Your work will contribute to thousands of animals being adopted every year.
• You will work closely with staff members who care deeply about the well-being of animals.
• You will have the opportunity to learn from a dedicated veterinary team.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be in a high-stress environment, working with sick, injured, and/or scared animals.
• You will be working in a full capacity shelter, presenting challenges to complete all your tasks.
• You will deal with approximately 6% of the animals that come into the shelter being euthanized for medical or behavioral reasons.

Competencies Required:
Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Performing under physically demanding conditions
General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter expertise to the job
Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

High school diploma or equivalent.

One (1) year of experience working in an animal shelter, clinic, hospital, veterinary practice or kennel under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Experience as a volunteer in an animal related industry is highly desirable.

Successful incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam). The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of July 29, 2024.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. 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.

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Ellaine Reyes at ereyes2@oaklandca.gov.

City of Oakland

(510) 238-3112