Temporary Animal Care Technician - County of Riverside
Blythe, CA 92225
About the Job
The County of Riverside's Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) seeks a Temporary Animal Care Technician to support the Department of Animal Services. This position can be full-time or part-time, and will require lifting up to 50 lbs, and standing and sitting for long periods of time. This position is located in Blythe.
Under general supervision, the incumbent performs daily tasks related to maintaining sanitary conditions at animal shelter(s) and off-site events; feeds and cares for all impounded animals; assists with animal adoptions and animal reunification; counsels and educates the public on animal retention and responsible pet ownership; and performs other related duties as required.
The Animal Care Technician is the entry-level classification in the Animal Care Technician series and reports to an Animal Services Supervisor. Animal Care Technicians perform routine tasks within the department pertaining to the care of the shelter animals and customer service. Incumbents receive training and certification in animal care, customer service, animal handling, humane euthanasia and disposal of animals, and maintenance of the facility and equipment. The Animal Care Technician class differs from the Animal Control and Licensing Officer series in that the latter may be assigned shelter duties but are also responsible for fieldwork and enforcement of animal control rules and regulations.
About the Department of Animal Services
https://www.rcdas.org/home/
About TAP
https://www.rc-hr.com/Find-A-Job/Job-Searching/Temporary-Medical-Assignment-Program
The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at-will basis.
TAP Benefits
https://www.rc-hr.com/Find-A-Job/Job-Searching/Temporary-Medical-Assignment-Program/TAP-Benefits
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels, equipment, and work areas to prevent spread of zoonotic diseases.
• Feed and water animals daily.
• Assist with humane euthanasia and disposal of animals.
• Utilize computer to enter and update animal records in Chameleon Database.
• Daily review of animal inventory; may move animals as needed within the shelter.
• Unload and impound incoming animals received from Animal Control and Licensing Officers and the public.
• Counsel owners who are relinquishing their pets by providing them information on adoptability of their animal or information regarding alternative options.
• Provide customer service to all shelter visitors and staff.
• Educate the public on age, breed, characteristics, and care/treatment of shelter animals; may respond to inquiries from the public regarding retention and disposal of animals.
• May be specifically assigned and act as point of contact for rescue groups (i.e., adoption partners), coordinating the adoption of shelter animals and developing/maintaining relationships with adoption partners, and other related activities as assigned.
• May be required to assist in maintaining records and/or reports of inventories for food, supplies and equipment.
• Operate County vehicles to transport supplies, equipment, or deceased/live animals; perform minor repair and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
• May assist trained personnel in performing minor repairs and maintenance of facilities and surrounding areas.
• May assist with training new staff and/or volunteers.
• Participate in adoption events on and off-site, in and outside of County jurisdiction.
• Understand and support department policies, local city and county municipal codes/ordinances, and state laws related to animal welfare.
• Receive, load, and unload supplies, materials and equipment from vendor trucks; operate forklift to move pallets; inspect for damage and quantity received against requisitions, invoices, or freight bills.
• May be assigned to the care and treatment of equine, livestock, and/or exotic animals.
• May assist in office by answering telephones, collecting fees, and issuing receipts; may write incident reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.
Experience: None required.
Ability to: Read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions in English; utilize computer to enter clear, concise and accurate information into Chameleon database; maintain records; perform basic mathematical calculations using addition and subtraction; work courteously and effectively to maintain effective working relationships with staff, rescue groups and the public; carry out routine and repetitive duties without immediate supervision; learn cleaning and disinfecting methods; learn care and feeding of animals; learn breeds and behaviors of animals; learn safe and proper handling of animals; learn, understand, interpret, and apply basic laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations governing the impounding, release, and disposal of animals.
Other Requirements
Assessment: Minimally qualified candidates will be required to pass a computerized assessment in order to be considered for this position.
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.
Physical Requirements: Lift, carry, push, and pull heavy objects that may weigh more than 50 pounds.
A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Veterans' Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy (Download PDF reader). Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.
What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Based on the number of applications received, this posting may close without notice.
For specific questions regarding this position, contact Raven Padilla at rpadilla@rivco.org .
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.