Position Information
Are you passionate about animal welfare? If so, join us in making a positive impact on the lives of animals in Sonoma County. Become an Extra-Help Animal Health Technician with the Department of Health Services! Starting salary up to $35.55/hour* depending upon experience. As an Animal Health Technician, you will work directly with animals through enrichment and behavior modification, playing a vital role in ensuring the well-being of Sonoma County's animals by conducting health assessments, administering treatments, and contributing to the overall health and happiness of the animals in our care. Typical duties include:
- Performing behavior evaluations
- Preparing videos and records for animals through the transfer program
- Conducting examinations, and administering daily treatments, medications, and vaccinations
- Assisting the veterinary team with medical procedures
- Leading the work of volunteers
- Conducting adoption counseling and managing the owner surrender list
- Maintaining the shelter management database by entering medical records
The ideal candidate will possess:
- The ability to handle animals with patience, compassion, and confidence
- Experience in animal healthcare, with a focus on animal shelters
- Knowledge of infectious disease control and prevention
- Strong understanding of animal behavior
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- A Registered Veterinary Technician license, California Human Euthanasia Certificate, and Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) are desired, but not required
This position requires the ability to work flexible hours, which may include weekends, holidays, weekends, evenings, and rotating shifts. Uniforms are required and provided, as well as safety boots and shoes. Some work may be performed outdoors with potential exposure to smoke, rain, cold, and hot weather conditions during normal duty hours as well as during disaster response activities.
EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations.
Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve-month consecutive period. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Animal Health Technician, extra-help position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.
* Salary is negotiable within the established range.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum Qualifications
Education and experience: Any combination of education and experience which would provide for the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of experience performing paramedical tasks in a veterinary office or animal shelter or possession of a valid Animal Health Technician Certificate issued by the California State Board of Examiners would provide the knowledge and abilities.
License: Possession of an Animal Health Technician Certificate is highly desirable. Possession of a valid driver's license.
Special Requirements: Completion of P.O.S.T. course work and certification in the use of firearms and exercising powers of arrest as specified in Penal Code 830.9 may be required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of: methods, techniques, and medication and pharmaceuticals used in the care and treatment of animals; physical and behavioral characteristics of common domestic animals and livestock and characteristics of common diseases.
Ability to: learn State laws and County ordinances relating to the care, treatment, and impounding of animals; handle animals properly and perform the work in a humane manner; willingness to conduct euthanasia of animals by direct injection; recognize symptoms of rabies and other common diseases of animals; properly and legibly complete necessary forms; work tactfully and effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies working with animals, and the general public.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: BH
HR Technician: RR
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan : Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution toward the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit. For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU). A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
