Description

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.

The first round of Zoom interviews is anticipated to occur on July 7th. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City cannot accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternate dates. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.

About The Position

Are you looking for an op-paw-tunity to work with & transform the lives of animals? Do you enjoy matching animals with their fur-ever family? Do you have some claw-ver marketing & outreach strategies? If yes, we are looking for you!

The City of Mission Viejo seeks a motivated candidate to serve as our next Animal Care Technician. This position is responsible for providing daily care and enrichment for shelter animals, assisting with adoption counseling, performing behavioral assessments of shelter animals, and providing excellent customer service.

There is one (1) full-time vacancy scheduled to work forty (40) hours per week: Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The schedule and assignment may change to 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.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

Your Impact & Contributions

Promote positive relationships with the public, management team, fellow staff members, and volunteers.
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.
Complete daily cleaning and feeding routines in a timely, organized, and professional manner.
Provide kennel enrichment for all domestic animals, and evaluate & socialize animals.
Monitor the health of shelter animals and report symptoms of illness.
Assist Senior Animal Care Technician and veterinarian with medical treatments, pre-surgical, surgical, and post-surgical procedures.
Drive City provided vehicle to transport animals, materials, and animal care supplies.
Safely handle domestic and wild animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Enter clear and concise data and notes utilizing database software.
Actively engage with volunteers by providing training and supervision.
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.

Job Related And Essential Qualifications

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.

Experience and Training and License/Certificate

Qualifications

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12) grade and one (1) year of experience in working with domestic animals in a veterinary clinic 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 as transporting animals is an essential function of this position.

Benefits Overview

The following description is a general overview of the benefits provided to City of Mission Viejo benefit eligible employees. For specific details, please review the Human Resources Policies, Management and Budget Policies, Administrative Regulations, and official plan documents, or contact the Human Resources office at 949.470.3060.

Employees of the City are currently covered under the California Public Employees' Retirement System(CalPERS). While the City does not participate in the Social Security System, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare insurance coverage.

Retirement

Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2013, Who Are CalPERS Members –

A CalPERS member hired by the City of Mission Viejo within less than a six (6) month break in CalPERS covered service, will participate in the 2% at 60 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. Employees are required to contribute the full 7% member contribution, plus an additional 1.5% towards the employer rate.

A CalPERS member hired by the City of Mission Viejo with a six (6) month or more break in CalPERS covered service, will participate in the 2% at 62 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. The employee pays the full member contribution, which is variable. The contribution rate for new members is 50% of the normal cost rate which is subject to change. Effective July 1, 2026, the member contribution is 8.25%. Employees also contribute 1.5% towards the employer rate.

Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2013, Who Are Not CalPERS Members –

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will participate in the 2% at 62 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. The employee pays the full member contribution, which is variable. The contribution rate for new members is 50% of the normal cost rate which is subject to change. Effective July 1, 2026, the member contribution is 8.25%. Employees also contribute 1.5% towards the employer rate.

Employer's Contribution Rate –

Beginning July 1, 2026, the employer's normal cost contribution rate is 9.87%, which reflects the employee pick-up of 1.5% of the employer rate.

Retiree Benefits

Employees Hired On or After December 2, 2006 –

The City's Retiree Health Savings Plan is a defined contribution health reimbursement plan, which is intended to help employees offset post-retirement healthcare costs by allowing employees to contribute pre-tax dollars from their current wages with an additional contribution from the City, into an account that can be accessed upon retirement. To be eligible for the full benefits of the RHS Plan, an employee must reach age 55 with a total of 15 years of service with the City of Mission Viejo.

The RHS Plan requires mandatory contributions from both the employee and the City. Contributions to the RHS Plan will commence for an employee beginning with the first pay period that occurs after the eligible employee's completion of one year of service with the City. Eligible employees will be required to contribute 1.5% of their salary. Deductions will be pre-tax and will be taken from each paycheck.

Starting the same date, the City contribution will be $100 per month ($50 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time employees, $75 per month ($37.50 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time equivalents of .750 to .999, and $50 per month ($25 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time equivalents of .500 to .749, after the completion of the waiting period. This program is administered by MissionSquare.

Payday

The City issues paychecks on a biweekly basis (see Payroll Calendar), every other Friday. Benefits are deducted from paychecks twice a month.

Holidays

The City observes ten (10) paid holidays, including a Winter Closure at City Hall and the Corporation Yard between December 26th and December 31st. Employees also have two (2) floating holidays per year, which is credited annually on January 1st (on the employee's hire date in the first year) and cannot be carried-over.

Comprehensive Annual Leave

Provides employees with paid time off for rest and relaxation, personal or family illness, bereavement, and personal business. For non-exempt classifications, 19 days annual accrual during the first year, increasing to 30 days beginning in year ten, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions. For exempt classifications, 24 days annual accrual during the first year, increasing to 35 days beginning in year ten, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions.

Jury Duty Leave

Employees are granted up to 30 paid days for jury service.

Cafeteria Plan

The City offers a "cafeteria style" flexible benefits plan, with a fixed monthly contribution provided by the City for all regular and probationary full-time and part-time employees. The benefits plan is covered under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code allowing employees to pay monthly benefit premiums on a pre-tax basis. Benefit coverage begins the first day of the month following thirty-days (30) of continuous regular employment.

Medical Insurance

The City contracts with CalPERS to offer medical insurance to employees, plus their qualified dependents. Employees are required to participate in the City group medical plan.

Dental Insurance

The City contracts with Delta dental for dental coverage for employees, plus their qualified dependents. There is a choice among two plans, Delta PPO and Delta Care PMI.

Vision

The City contracts with Vision Service Plan (VSP) for vision coverage for employees, plus their qualified dependents.

Life Insurance

The City contracts with Voya to provide term life insurance for employees in an amount equal to two (2) times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $400,000. The City pays the full cost of the monthly premium. If you need more than the Basic Life insurance the City provides, you may purchase additional coverage by enrolling in the Supplemental Term Life (STL) and AD&D insurance programs.

Short and Long Term Disability

The City contracts with Voya to provide both short and long-term disability insurance coverage to the employee, in a benefit amount up to 66% of the employee's salary. The City pays the full cost of the monthly premium.

Flexible Spending Account

You can set up one Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health care expenses and another to pay for the cost of caring for your dependents while you are at work. The FSA is a tax-free way to pay any qualified out-of-pocket expenses associated with medical, dental, and vision care for yourself and any family members who are legal dependents. You may contribute up to the IRS allowed maximum, pre-tax, annually to this account. The Dependent Care Spending Account allows you to pay for child or elder care expenses on a tax-free basis. You may contribute up to the IRS allowed maximum annually towards this account. Both types of accounts are administered through Wex Benefits.

Employee Assistance Program

The City contracts with CONCERN to provide short term counseling benefits, as well as life management services and referrals, to employees, their dependents, and any other members within their household. The City pays the full cost of the monthly premium.

Deferred Compensation

A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available through Voya. The City matches contributions up to $150 per month.

College Savings Plan

The City offers payroll deductions to a qualified 529 plan. This voluntary ScholarShare fund,managed by ScholarShare, is a flexible college savings program that helps make saving for a child's higher education easier.

Wellness Program

The City offers free membership, with some restrictions, to the City's Recreation and Tennis Centers for employees and their resident family members.

Tuition Reimbursement

Once probation has been successfully completed, the City offers tuition reimbursement to employees for qualified classes and/or programs up to $1,250 per fiscal year, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions. Pre-approval by the employee's supervisor and the City Manager is required.

Technology Loan Program

Once probation has been successfully completed, an interest-free technology loan is available to employees in an amount up to $3,500, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions.

Flexible Workplace Program

The Flexible Workplace Program allows an employee to enter into an agreement to schedule portions of their work week away from their regular worksite. Participating employees will work a full workday, but program participation allows times and number of hours in the office to be scheduled differently between individual days of the week. The City Manager must approve all Flexible Workplace Program applications. Program participation is a benefit and not an entitlement and is approved on a case-by-case basis.

01

The following supplemental questions will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position and will be used in conjunction with your application to evaluate your experience, knowledge and skills. Do not refer to your application and/or resume when completing these questions. Do you understand and acknowledge these instructions?
Yes
No

The first round of Zoom interviews is anticipated to occur on July 7th. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City cannot accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternative dates and it is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly. Further, if you are invited to an interview, you will receive an email from the City of Mission Viejo with instructions to self-schedule yourself for an interview time. It is an applicant’s responsibility to monitor their email folders for recruitment related emails from the City. Failure to self-schedule an interview on time and/or to show up for the interview on time is an automatic fail for this recruitment. Do you understand and acknowledge these instructions?
Yes
No

Do you have experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter?
Yes
No

If you selected Yes to question #3, please describe your duties, where you attained this experience and how long you were in the role. If you selected No to question #3, fill in "N/A".

Do you have experience assisting with pet adoptions and/or pet licensing and registrations?
Yes
No

If yes, please describe your duties, where you attained this experience and how long you were in the role. If you selected No in question #5, fill in “N/A”.

Do you have experience assisting with or conducting behavioral assessments of animals in a shelter or similar environment?
Yes
No

If yes, please describe your duties, where you attained this experience and how long you were in the role. If you selected No in question #7, fill in “N/A”.

Do you have experience working in a veterinarian office or other animal clinic?
Yes
No

If yes, please describe your duties, where you attained this experience and how long you were in the role. If you selected No in question #9, fill in “N/A”.

How do you motivate yourself during challenging times?

Please describe a situation where you had to adapt to a major change in your workplace. What was your approach?

How do you approach conflict resolution in a team setting?
Required Question

City of Mission Viejo

New Jobs

Animal Care Technician

Animal Care Technician