The City of Elk Grove is now accepting applications for the position of
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
The City of Elk Grove is looking for a Veterinary Assistant with at least  one year of experience assisting and supporting high volume spay/neuter surgery. The ideal candidate will be an efficient team player with a positive attitude who can thrive in a fast-paced environment. They must be detail oriented and capable of making detailed medical notes and keeping up with a long list of patients and surgical procedures. Experience with shelter medicine is preferred.
Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Filing Deadline: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11:59 P.M. on August 29, 2024
Oral Board Interviews: Â Â Â Â Â September 11, 2024Â (Virtual)
Selection Interviews: Â Â Â Â Â Â September 16, 2024 (In Person)Â Â
The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more.
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Why work for the City of Elk Grove? Proud Heritage. Bright Future.Â
Community Profile
Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.Â
Under general supervision, performs routine animal care and treatment to animals, including evaluating animal behaviors and administering treatments and/or medications; prepares for procedures and surgeries maintenance and cleaning activities associated with the City's Animal Shelter; receives and restocks medical supplies; maintains and updates medical records; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from Veterinarian or Animal Services Manager. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This journey level classification is responsible for independently performing technical duties supporting routine care and treatment of animals. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from Registered Veterinary Technician in that the latter has responsibility for providing clinical assistance to professional veterinarian staff.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserve the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Assists a veterinarian in performing surgeries and providing medications to kennel animals; assists in animal health care during the recovery/treatment process.
- Performs routine examinations of animals in preparation for medical care and treatment; performs shelter treatment to animals; preps animal for procedure; assists veterinarian with medical procedure.Â
- Assists with the collection of samples and specimens and the performance of laboratory testing.
- Humanely kennels all animals and identifies shelter animals with appropriate tags or bands before kenneling, including animals which may be ill, injured, quarantined, aggressive, or difficult to control.
- Monitors all animals for signs of illness or unusual behavior; makes notations and reports problems regarding health and behavior of animals; maintains documentation related to animal's health and suitability for adoption.
- Assists with the preparation of operating and examination rooms; cleans and sterilizes surgical equipment and operating rooms; preps clinical rooms and prepares for procedures.Â
- Lifts, moves, and/or carries animals, applies restraints as needed; handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals; conducts health evaluations of animals; perform routine testing for disease as needed; administers injections of medication, vaccinations, tranquilizers, or other drugs.
- Provides food and water for each animal under care; observes food consumption to ensure animals' overall health; administers medication as directed.
- Answers inquiries from the public, both over the counter and by telephone, on laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal control and animal shelters.
- Properly cleans and disinfects enclosures and kennels; exercises animals; socializes animals; replaces bedding, toys, and litter pans; cleans linens and shelter equipment; maintains a clean and safe environment; unloads, stores, and restocks medical supplies and related equipment.
- Assists with the euthanasia of animals, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy; disposes of euthanized animals in accordance with established departmental procedure.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of
- Animal breeds, species, illnesses, vaccines, conditions, terms, behaviors.
- Animal related codes and laws pertaining to care and welfare.
- Methods and techniques used in customer service and public relations.
- Methods for caring for and feeding domestic animals.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
- Physical and behavioral characteristics of various animal species.
- Practices, methods, and materials used in cleaning animal facilities.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Safe and humane animal handling principles and practices
- General practice and operation of municipal shelters.
- Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
- Methods and techniques of preparing general business correspondence.
- City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging concepts and principles, including their significance in organizational dynamics and the functioning of the City and their impact on fostering innovation and collaboration.
- The structure and content of the English language at a level necessary for successful job performance.
- Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to
- Provide affection and concern for animals.
- Utilize public relations techniques to interact with internal and external customers, including responding to general inquiries and complaints.
- Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
- Independently handle and care for animals housed in the City's Animal Shelter.
- Learn to euthanize animals in a humane manner.
- Learn to operate the equipment used in handling various types of animals.
- Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
- Recognize symptoms of common animal health concerns and disease.
- Work safely with aggressive animals and hazardous chemicals.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.Â
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
- Engage with a diverse public and workforce, facilitating inclusive service delivery, and implementing equitable city policies.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Â
Education and Experience
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and six (6) months of experience providing care and treatment to animals.
Licenses and Certifications
- Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. This requirement may be waived for individuals who are unable to obtain a driver's license due to a disability.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to an office environment
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must be able to stand for extended periods of time. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.?
When assigned to a field environment
Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; to climb and descend ladders; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confining spaces and around machines; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.? Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate the above-mentioned tools and equipment. Employees must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or heavier weights with proper equipment and assistance from other staff. The work requires wear and use of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate to loud noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. Employees may be exposed to chemical substances, radiations (x-ray), zoonotic diseases and animal blood. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees may be required to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230. Â