Animal Behaviorist

The Job

Future Salary Increase

Bi-annual step increases up to Step 14

3.00% across the board salary increase effective February 22, 2026*

*Salary increases contingent upon Property Related Revenue and/or statewide Realignment Sales Tax Collections performance.

The Animal Care Division within the Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an Animal Behaviorist to assist in planning, developing, coordinating, and conducting one or more phases of an animal behavior management and/or assessment programs. Duties include evaluating the behaviors of animals admitted to County animal shelter facilities, developing plans and processes for behavior analysis, animal behavioral modification and animal training to assist in the placement of homeless pets. An Animal Behaviorist is also a key member of a team responsible for advising on decisions regarding the euthanasia of unadoptable animals.

For more detailed information, refer to the Animal Behaviorist job description.

Excellent Benefits Package!

Health Benefits

• Medical and Dental: family coverage
• Vision: employee coverage
• Premium subsidies to offset health costs
• Flexible spending account (FSA) pre-tax account for qualified healthcare expenses

Paid Time Off

• Up to 4 weeks accruable vacation with cash-out option
• 11 days accruable sick leave
• 15 paid holidays
• Perfect attendance leave
• Flexible work schedules (in some departments)

Retirement

• Generous Pension
• Retirement reciprocity may be available
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Retirement Medical Trust Fund

Click the link below for additional details:

Benefits By Occupational Unit: Technical & Inspection

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, applicants must pass a background investigation which includes verification of employment history and education, fingerprinting, physical exam, and drug screening.
Visa Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require Visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future. Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Physical: Must be able to lift and restrain small to very large animals, both domestic and wild, which may weigh up to 100 pounds.
Environmental: Will be exposed to cleaning and disinfectant chemicals at commercial facilities and animal control shelters.
Weather: Applicants must be able to perform duties in inclement weather.

Travel: Travel throughout the County may be required and employees will be required to make provisions for such transportation.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements listed below:
Experience One (1) year of experience training animals and providing behavioral assessments and humane behavioral modification protocols for dogs and/or cats.
Education Sixty (60) semester or Ninety (90) quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with major coursework in animal behavior, animal sciences, or animal education.

*Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on the basis of Thirty (30) semester or Forty-five (45) quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.

*Note: A list of completed college coursework must be submitted with the application if the candidate does not possess an Associate degree or higher in one (1) of the fields of study listed above. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
Certification Certification in Animal Behavior or Professional Canine Training.

Note: Proof of certification must be submitted by the application filing deadline. You may attach an electronic copy to your online application -OR- email an electronic copy to employment@hr.sbcounty.gov

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s Degree in animal behavior, animal sciences, or animal education and certifications in Animal Behavior or Professional Dog Training with over five (5) years of experience. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess excellent communications skills, have experience working in a collaborative setting, experience in providing and developing animal behavioral assessments and humane behavioral modification protocols for dogs and/or cats and the ability to develop effective working relationships with rescue group partners and the public to provide information about an animal’s behavior.

Selection Process

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the application and supplemental questionnaire. It is to your advantage to be explicit in your responses on the application and supplemental questionnaire.

Application Procedure : Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire for consideration before the posted deadline. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaires.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.

If you need technical assistance, follow this link to review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for allemployees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation:
If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form (Download PDF) within one week of the recruitmentfiling deadline.

Veterans' Preference:
Eligible veterans, their spouses, or widows/widowers who are not current County employees mayreceive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request thesepoints, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Information (Download PDF) .

For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process .

Technical & Inspection Unit

The County of San Bernardino offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

For a summary of benefits,* please click here .

Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Benefits website for more detailed information at hr.sbcounty.gov/employee-benefits/ .

*Retirement benefits subject to change.

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• San Bernardino County

• 9093878304

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