ANIMAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

THE JOB: Under supervision, do varied record keeping and data processing work; input data about incidents and animals received at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter; provide information to the public on stray and injured animals received at the shelter; process adoption applications to place adoptable animals in suitable homes; receive calls from the public; provide the public with information on laws and regulations that govern the keeping of animals; process, record, and collect fees for boarding, rescuing and adopting animals and collecting fines for violations; other duties as assigned. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and future part-time, full-time, substitute and extra-help temporary positions during the life of the eligible list. Effective July 11, 2020, this position has been furloughed by 7.5%.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the training and experience would be:

One year of experience in general office clerical work or customer service relations that demonstrates application or possession of the required knowledge and abilities. Six months of experience with habits and characteristics of domestic animals, especially dogs and cats, may be substituted for up to six months of the required experience on an hour-for-hour basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver License. Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions, high levels of noise, unpleasant odors, possible sunburn, bodily injury or contact with toxic substances or chemical irritants, exposure to animals who may be hostile or dangerous and potentially hostile clients. Physically and mentally capable of performing the position’s essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of the job specification. Hours: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of office procedures and practices, computers, database information entry, retrieval and storage; State and local rules, regulations, and good practices regarding animal care and keeping; communication devices including telephone, pager, cell phones, and two-way radio; good practices and guidelines for successful matching of homeless animals with suitable adopters. Some knowledge of habits and characteristics of domestic animals, especially with dogs and cats; and good customer service and relations.

Ability to: Perform clerical work involving a good degree of independent judgment and requiring speed and accuracy; quickly learn the specific operations to which assigned; understand and follow written and oral directions; operate standard office equipment; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and others, and represent the agency and the work of the agency positively to the public at large; make simple arithmetic computations; communicate effectively orally and through written expression, and communicate effectively on the telephone; recognize problems, gather relevant information, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, respond promptly and communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; maintain current, complex and accurate records; exercise discretion and judgment in dealing with the public, co-workers, and staff of other agencies, including law enforcement agencies, sometimes under stressful and emotional circumstances; work effectively under pressure and deadlines; adjust schedules to meet changing priorities and demand for services by the public; be able to word process and enter data at a moderate rate of speed; lift up to 50 pounds unassisted; stand for periods of time, walk and retrieve animals from the shelter; receive animals from the public, and place animals into receiving cages and work in a noisy, active, and busy environment, at close quarters.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 13 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

County of Santa Cruz

www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

LIVE Here            WORK Here            PLAY Here