Animal Care Technician at City of Mission Viejo – Mission Viejo, California

City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for

ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

$23.60 - $35.48 per hour

APPLY BY: 3:00 P.M., MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025

SEARCH SCHEDULE: Online applications must be completed & submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on the filing deadline. NeoGov will reject all applications started prior to 3:00 p.m., but not submitted by 3:00 p.m. No exceptions will be made to the closing deadline. Please plan accordingly.

The first round of Zoom interviews is scheduled for August 26, 2025. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City will not accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternate dates. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.

The Position

The City of Mission Viejo seeks qualified candidates to serve as our next Animal Care Technician to provide daily care and enrichment for shelter animals. Candidates will assist with adoption counseling, behavioral assessments of shelter animals and customer service.

There is (1) full-time vacancy scheduled to work forty (40) hours per week: Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The schedule and assignment may include evenings, weekends, and special events depending on the needs of the City. This is an FLSA non-exempt position and is entitled to overtime. The eligibility list established for this position may be used to fill future full-time, part-time or temporary Animal Care Technician and/or Kennel Attendant vacancies.

Your Impact & Contributions

1. Promote positive relationships with the public, management team, fellow staff members, and volunteers.
2. Provide the highest of standards of animal husbandry, customer service, conflict resolution and communication to the public while upholding & promoting the Center’s programs and policies.
3. Complete daily cleaning and feeding routines in a timely, organized, and professional manner.
4. Provide kennel enrichment for all domestic animals, and evaluate & socialize animals.
5. Monitor the health of shelter animals and report symptoms of illness.
6. Drive City provided vehicle to transport animals, materials, and animal care supplies.
7. Safely handle domestic and wild animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
8. Enter clear and concise data and notes utilizing database software.
9. Actively engage with volunteers by providing training and supervision.
10. Learn about the personalities and traits of the adoptable pets in our care, promote great qualities to potential adopters via social media posts and facilitate animal/animal introductions utilizing Center protocols.

Applicants are encouraged to review the entire Animal Care Technician job description by visiting the City’s website at https://cityofmissionviejo.org.

Your Team

The members of the Mission Viejo Animal Services Department are passionate and dedicated to making a difference every day for the domestic animals and wildlife living in the communities they serve. They are looking for someone with the same strong work ethic and passion to join them.

The Department provides services for Mission Viejo and four surrounding cities which include: City of Aliso Viejo, City of Laguna Hills, City of Laguna Niguel and City of Rancho Santa Margarita. The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is a pro-humane facility that provides an array of services including animal licensing, rabies control, pet adoption, community outreach presentations, patrol of public streets and parks, picking up injured wildlife, impounding stray dogs/cats, issuing citations, and providing a shelter for homeless animals. The facility has dogs, cats and rabbits available for adoption year-round.

Ideal Candidate

• Is a reliable and flexible team player, enthusiastic about helping others; able to work both independently and in a group environment;
• Can establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with all levels of staff, volunteers, and the public;
• Can handle stressful situations, learn from setbacks, maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges, and demonstrate the ability to remain calm when dealing with disgruntled people;
• Strong work experience demonstrating sound independent judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions while using tact and discretion;
• Possess strong animal handling skills including the ability to evaluate animal health and behavior, and a passion for animals; and
• Knowledge of computer applications such Word, Excel, Outlook, Chameleon and has the ability to quickly learn new programs.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of handling, impoundment, and evaluation of a variety of wild and domestic animals in various conditions.
• Identification of various breeds of dogs, cats, and other domestic animals.
• Identification of abnormal behaviors or signs of illness of animals.
• Principles of animal behavior and care.
• Principles and practices used in dealing with the public.
• Methods and procedures of kennel cleaning and maintenance.
• Pertinent state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of animal services.
• Basic principles and procedures of record-keeping.
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Techniques for dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Safe work practices.

Skill in:

• Responding to requests and inquiries for information regarding animal services.
• Learning, understanding, and interpreting rules and regulations governing the impounding and release of animals.
• Recognizing normal and abnormal animal behavior.
• Handling potentially dangerous animals in a safe and efficient manner.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate and complete records.
• Working independently in the absence of supervision.
• Accessing, retrieving, entering, and updating information using a computer terminal.
• Meeting and dealing tactfully and effectively with the public.
• Effectively representing the City at the animal shelter front counter and over the telephone.
• Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees and those contacted in the course of the work.
• Operating cleaning equipment and other tools used in the maintenance of kennels.
• Operating a two-way radio.
• Operating a cash register.
• Administering injections and medications to all types of animals.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Operating a motor vehicle safely.

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

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12) grade and one (1) year of experience in working with domestic animals in a veterinary hospital or other animal facility. Positions in this classification occasionally lift, move, and carry animals that typically weigh up to 100 pounds.

License and Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.