Animal Care Technician

Description

City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for

ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

$23.60 - $34.34 per hour

APPLY BY: 3:00 P.M., FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024

The City of Mission Viejo seeks qualified candidates to serve as our next Animal Care Technician to provide daily care and enrichment for shelter animals. Candidates will assist with adoption counseling, behavioral assessments of shelter animals and customer service.

There is (1) full-time vacancy scheduled to work forty (40) hours per week: Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The schedule and assignment may include evenings, weekends, and special events depending on the needs of the City. This is an FLSA non-exempt position and is entitled to overtime.

SEARCH SCHEDULE: The first round of Zoom interviews is tentatively scheduled for some time during the week of January 20, 2025. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City will not accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternate dates. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.

The eligibility list established for this position may be used to fill future full-time, part-time or temporary Animal Care Technician and/or Kennel Attendant vacancies.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

Your impact

• Promote positive relationships with the public, management team, fellow staff members, and volunteers.
• Provide the highest of standards of animal husbandry, customer service, conflict resolution and communication to the public while upholding promoting the Center’s programs and policies.
• Complete daily cleaning and feeding routines in a timely, organized, and professional manner.
• Provide kennel enrichment for all domestic animals, and evaluate & socialize animals.
• Monitor the health of shelter animals and report symptoms of illness.
• Drive City provided vehicle to transport animals, materials, and animal care supplies.
• Safely handle domestic and wild animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
• Enter clear and concise data and notes utilizing database software.
• Actively engage with volunteers by providing training and supervision.
• Learn about the personalities and traits of the adoptable pets in our care, promote great qualities to potential adopters via social media posts and facilitate animal/animal introductions utilizing Center protocols.

• Is a reliable and flexible team player, enthusiastic about helping others; able to work both independently and in a group environment;
• Can establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with all levels of staff, volunteers, and the public;
• Can handle stressful situations while working in a fast-paced, busy Animal Shelter environment and demonstrates the ability to remain calm when dealing with disgruntled people;
• Strong work experience demonstrating sound independent judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions while using tact and discretion;
• Possess strong animal handling skills including the ability to evaluate animal health and behavior, and a passion for animals; and
• Knowledge of computer applications such Word, Excel, Outlook, Chameleon and has the ability to quickly learn new programs.

Job Related and Essential Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of handling, impoundment, and evaluation of a variety of wild and domestic animals in various conditions.
• Identification of various breeds of dogs, cats, and other domestic animals.
• Identification of abnormal behaviors or signs of illness of animals.
• Principles of animal behavior and care.
• Principles and practices used in dealing with the public.
• Methods and procedures of kennel cleaning and maintenance.
• Pertinent state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of animal services.
• Basic principles and procedures of record-keeping.
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Techniques for dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Safe work practices.

• Responding to requests and inquiries for information regarding animal services.
• Learning, understanding, and interpreting rules and regulations governing the impounding and release of animals.
• Recognizing normal and abnormal animal behavior.
• Handling potentially dangerous animals in a safe and efficient manner.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate and complete records.
• Working independently in the absence of supervision.
• Accessing, retrieving, entering, and updating information using a computer terminal.
• Meeting and dealing tactfully and effectively with the public.
• Effectively representing the City at the animal shelter front counter and over the telephone.
• Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees and those contacted in the course of the work.
• Operating cleaning equipment and other tools used in the maintenance of kennels.
• Operating a two-way radio.
• Operating a cash register.
• Administering injections and medications to all types of animals.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Operating a motor vehicle safely.

Experience and Training and License/Certificate

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12) grade and one (1) year of experience in working with domestic animals in a veterinary hospital or other animal facility. Positions in this classification occasionally lift, move, and carry animals that typically weigh up to 100 pounds.

License and Certificates
Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Benefits Overview
The following description is a general overview of the benefits provided to City of Mission Viejo benefit eligible employees. For specific details, please review the Human Resources Policies, Management and Budget Policies, Administrative Regulations, and official plan documents, or contact the Human Resources office at 949.470.3060.

Employees of the City are currently covered under the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). While the City does not participate in the Social Security System, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare insurance coverage.

Retirement

Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2013, Who Are CalPERS Members –

A CalPERS member hired by the City of Mission Viejo within less than a six (6) month break in CalPERS covered service, will participate in the 2% at 60 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. Employees are required to contribute the full 7% member contribution, plus an additional 1.5% towards the employer rate.

A CalPERS member hired by the City of Mission Viejo with a six (6) month or more break in CalPERS covered service, will participate in the 2% at 62 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. The employee pays the full member contribution, which is variable. The contribution rate for new members is 50% of the normal cost rate which is subject to change. The current member contribution is 7.0%. Employees also contribute 1.5% towards the employer rate.

Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2013, Who Are Not CalPERS Members –

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will participate in the 2% at 62 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. The employee pays the full member contribution, which is variable. The contribution rate for new members is 50% of the normal cost rate which is subject to change. The current member contribution is 7.5%. Employees also contribute 1.5% towards the employer rate.

Employer's Contribution Rate –

Beginning July 1, 2021, the employer's normal cost contribution rate is 9.82%, which reflects the employee pick-up of 1.5% of the employer rate.

Retiree Benefits

Employees Hired On or After December 2, 2006 –

The City's Supplemental Health Account for Retired Employees (SHARE) Plan is a defined contribution health reimbursement plan, which is intended to help employees offset post-retirement healthcare costs by allowing employees to contribute pre-tax dollars from their current wages with an additional contribution from the City, into an account that can be accessed upon retirement. To be eligible for the full benefits of the SHARE Plan, an employee must reach age 55 with a total of 15 years of service with the City of Mission Viejo.

The Plan requires mandatory contributions from both the employee and the City. Contributions to the Plan will commence for an employee beginning with the first pay period that occurs after the eligible employee's completion of one year of service with the City. Eligible employees will be required to contribute 1.5% of their salary. Deductions will be pre-tax and will be taken from each paycheck.

Starting the same date, the City contribution will be $100 per month ($50 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time employees, $75 per month ($37.50 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time equivalents of .750 to .999, and $50 per month ($25 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time equivalents of .500 to .749, after the completion of the waiting period. This program is administered by ICMA-RC.