Animal Health Assistant/Technician (Part-Time, Unbenefited) - Public Works

Sanjoseca

San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA, US Until 9/23/2026 1+ years exp First posted July 25, 2026 Last posted July 25, 2026

Job description

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities in which to live, work, and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural, government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration. The City's Public Works Department is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees. The Department of <a href="https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/public-works" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: none; color: inherit">Public Works</a> is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services. The Department is committed to high-quality service, partnering with the community, and providing an excellent environment in which to work.<div style="margin: 0; padding: 0; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); font-style: normal; text-indent: 0">The Department of Public Works is currently seeking to fill both Animal Health Assistants and Animal Health Technicians (Part-time Unbenefited) in the Animal Care and Services (ACS) Division. The Animal Health Assistants/Technicians will be responsible for providing paraprofessional medical care and treatment to shelter animals. Key responsibilitiesmayinclude, but are not limited to: <ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li style="margin-left: 24px">Checking and monitoring the health of animals, as well as rendering first aid and emergency treatment.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px">Assisting shelter veterinarians in surgery, spay/neuter and other medical procedures.</li></ul></div><div style="margin: 0; padding: 0; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); font-style: normal; text-indent: 0"><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li style="margin-left: 24px">Maintaining pharmaceutical and other medical supplies; cleaning of kennels/cages.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px">Feeding and caring for animals.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px">Humanely performing euthanasia, as required.</li></ul> These positions will be required to work weekends, holidays, nights and rotating shifts, respond to emergency animal services assignments during off-duty hours, and wear a uniform. The total salary range(s) for this classification is/are: Animal Health Assistant (Part-Time): $32.88 - $39.93/hour Animal Health Technician (Part-Time): $36.16- $43.92/hourThis salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.</div>These qualifications are typically required. An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.  Animal Health Assistant/TechnicianEducation: Completion of High School or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate)Experience: One (1) year of experience handling and caring for animals. Animal Health TechnicianEducation: Completion of High School or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate)Experience: One (1) year of experience handling and caring for animals.Required Licensing: Current California License in good standing as a Registered Veterinarian Technician.<div style="margin: 0; padding: 0; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); font-style: normal; text-indent: 0">The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include: Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations, including: <ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt"><li style="margin-left: 24px; text-align: left">Ability to perform pre-op surgical procedures, including the administration on anesthesia.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px; text-align: left">Ability to handle animals humanely and safely, and properly control animals that may be sick or injured.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px; text-align: left">Ability to read and comprehend the laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to animal licensing and vaccinating requirements.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px; text-align: left">Knowledge and comprehension of Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the care, housing, treatment and impounding of animals.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px; text-align: left">Knowledge and exposure to all activities occurring in high volume public animal shelter - Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.</li><li style="margin-left: 24px; text-align: left">Ability to learn the basic characteristics, behavior, and common breeds of domestic animals.</li></ul> Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.Flexibility: Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.</div>Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.Reliability: Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate. Selection Process:The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Britney Mesa at <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[email protected]</a> or Josh Marquez at <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[email protected]</a>.

About this role

Summary

Provide medical care, monitor health, assist in surgery, care for shelter animals.

Job title

Animal Health Assistant/Technician

Experience level

1+ years

Minimum experience

1+ years exp

Industry

government

Location requirements

San Jose, CA, US; remote work not allowed

Salary

$33k–$44k

Management role

Skills & keywords

Required skills

high school diploma1 year caring for animals

Preferred skills

None specified

Specializations

animal careveterinary proceduresshelter animal health

Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

San Jose, CA, USA

On-site City