Animal Control Assistant

The Position

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur.

Under general supervision, primary responsibilities include a variety of clerical and public contact duties for Animal Care Services, duties may also include the performance of kennel duties related to the physical wellness of animals contained in the facility.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs front desk reception and customer service duties, including answering the phone, greeting visitors, providing information, directing inquiries, assist with applications, payments, and routine concerns.
• Performs office support unique to the department, including ordering and ensuring stock of supplies, tracking lost and found animals, vaccination and/ or medical record retrieval and forwarding, dog license purchases and processing adoption fees.
• Completes various forms and logs, enters and/or retrieves information using a computer.
• Accounts for and issues receipts for money; balances cash with daily sales records; make daily or weekly bank deposits.
• Screen potential animal adopters using established criteria to ensure animal welfare and keep adoption returns to a minimum.
• Create and maintain records and casework files using established systems, including alphabetical, numerical, topical, chronological and/or cross-indexed methods.
• Receive animals into the shelter and take them to designated areas, such as dog runs or cat room; assess animals for visible signs of illness and/or injury; assign identification numbers to animals and cross check with animal records to ensure all animals are accurately accounted for.
• Issue citations for violations to dog owners redeeming their animals from the shelter in the absence of Animal Protection Officer.
• Contact other departments, agencies and/or businesses regarding departmental paperwork and activities, such as scheduling spay/neuter appointments or rabies vaccinations or verifying information with veterinarians.
• Receive and route incoming reports, charts, legal documents, or other information to appropriate locations.
• May assist with cleaning and disinfecting kennels and intake rooms.
• May assist with feeding and watering animals daily.
• May administer approved vaccines.
• May assist with administering approved euthanasia drugs for the euthanasia of animals.
• May remove feral cats and/or small wild animals from live traps
• May serve as backup for other positions within the department.
• May transport animals to veterinarian hospitals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or GED; and, two (2) years of experience performing clerical functions including public contact or, a combination of related education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver's License is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• General office procedures, policies and practices, as well as basic knowledge of computers and other general office equipment.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Dog and cat breeds and animal behavior.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skill in:

• Handling animals humanely and effectively.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Analyzing and resolving office administrative situations and problems.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Using a computer terminal to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens, and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.
• Operating and routine maintenance of general office machines.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Ability to learn animal behavior and disease symptoms such as rabies and related common diseases.
• Explain animal behavior, characteristics, and animal adoption procedures to the public.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to interpret department policies and procedures accurately.
• Speak effectively before individuals or groups and organizations and have the poise and tact to answer questions and handle sensitive and confidential matters with public entities and the media.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and speak and hear; push, pull, or lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to use color, sound, odor and shape perception and discrimination.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer


This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

• 

• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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