Animal Care Technician (Finance)
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is seeking to fill an Animal Care Technician (ACT) to support the San Jacinto location.
A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies. Individuals interested in working at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus and/or the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa are encouraged to apply.
The Animal Care Technician will be responsible for the daily feeding, cleaning, and disinfecting of kennels and pens, along with transporting animals throughout the shelter; will perform a wide range of duties including processing the intake of animals, assisting in the diversion of stray animals, unloading and impounding incoming animals received from Animal Control Officers and the public, and releasing animals to the public for redemption or adoption. In addition, the ACT will also be responsible for detailed records such as notes, logs, and inventories of animals, food supplies, and equipment.
The job of an ACT is physically demanding given the logistical size of the shelter and the required lifting of food and animals. Animal care technicians will be trained in and required to perform humane euthanasia, dispose of dead animals, and handle animals with skin conditions and wounds. The department desires candidates with customer service background, verbal and written skills, compassion, empathy, and a desire to work in public service.
The Animal Care Technician is the entry-level classification in the Animal Care Technician series and reports to an Animal Services Supervisor. Animal Care Technicians perform routine tasks within the department pertaining to the care of the shelter animals and customer service. Additionally, they receive training and certification in animal care, customer service, animal handling and maintenance of the facility and equipment.
Competitive candidates will have experience in customer service, working directly with the public, as well as prior animal handling experience, whether through volunteer work or professional roles.
The schedule for this position varies and requires availability on the weekends and holidays.
The Animal Care Technician series differs from the Animal Control and Licensing Officer series in that the latter may be assigned shelter duties, but are also responsible for fieldwork and enforcement of animal control rules and regulations.
Advancement to the next level is obtained by competitive selection through open recruitment.
Meet the Department!
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Thousand Palms.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels, equipment, and work areas to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
• Feed and water animals daily.
• Assist with humane euthanasia and disposal of animals.
• Utilize the computer to enter and update animal records in the Chameleon Database.
• Daily review of animal inventory; may move animals as needed within the shelter.
• Unload and impound incoming animals received from Animal Control and Licensing Officers and the public.
• Counsel owners who are relinquishing their pets by providing them information on the adoptability of their animal or information regarding alternative options.
• Provide customer service to all shelter visitors and staff.
• Educate the public on age, breed, characteristics, and care/treatment of shelter animals; may respond to inquiries from the public regarding retention and disposal of animals.
• May be specifically assigned and act as a point of contact for rescue groups (i.e., adoption partners), coordinating the adoption of shelter animals and developing/maintaining relationships with adoption partners, and other related activities as assigned.
• May be required to assist in maintaining records and/or reports of inventories for food, supplies, and equipment.
• Operate County vehicles to transport supplies, equipment, or deceased/live animals; perform minor repair and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
• May assist trained personnel in performing minor repairs and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
• May assist with training new staff and/or volunteers.
• Participate in adoption events on and off-site, in and outside of County jurisdiction.
• Understand and support department policies, local city and county municipal codes/ordinances, and state laws related to animal welfare.
• Receive, load, and unload supplies, materials, and equipment from vendor trucks; operate a forklift to move pallets; inspect for damage and quantity received against requisitions, invoices, or freight bills.
• May be assigned to the care and treatment of equine, livestock, and/or exotic animals.
• May assist in the office by answering telephones, collecting fees, and issuing receipts; may write incident reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.
Experience: None required.
Other Requirements:Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Physical Requirements: Lift, carry, push, and pull heavy objects that may weigh more than 50 pounds. Exposure to animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids, and wounds.
A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
Ability to:
Read, understand and follow oral and written instructions in English; utilize a computer to enter clear, concise, and accurate information into the Chameleon database; maintain records; perform basic mathematical calculations using addition and subtraction; work courteously and effectively to maintain effective working relationships with staff, rescue groups, and the public; carry out routine and repetitive duties without immediate supervision; learn cleaning and disinfecting methods; learn care and feeding of animals; learn breeds and behaviors of animals; learn safe and proper handling of animals; learn, understand, interpret, and apply basic laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations governing the impounding, release, and disposal of animals.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required. Driving to different shelter locations to meet business needs.
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Animal Services Department may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received. Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.
Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Alex Jones at
aljones@rivco.org
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
