Animal Care Specialist I/II

About The Opportunity THIS RECRUITMENT WILL CLOSE AFTER 50 APPLICATIONS ARE COLLECTED. PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED. About The Opportunity The Animal Care Specialist role offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the health, safety, and overall well-being of animals in a professional care environment. This position allows you to apply hands-on skills in animal handling, sanitation, enrichment, and basic medical support while working closely with veterinarians, shelter staff, and the community. It provides room for growth through specialized training, certifications, and advancing into supervisory or veterinary support roles. For individuals passionate about animal welfare, the role offers a chance to make a direct and lasting impact by ensuring high standards of care, supporting adoption efforts, and improving daily operations within shelters. To learn more about Animal Services, https://www.stanislausanimalservices.com/. THE POSITION The Animal Care Specialist I is the trainee level in this series. Individuals in this classification are provided with on-the-job training and experience. This position performs a variety of skilled and unskilled duties in the general maintenance and care of animals including domestic pets, wildlife, and livestock. Incumbents have direct contact with the public, often in emotionally charged situations, providing information, explaining procedures and laws, and assisting with pet adoptions and reclaims. The incumbent is also responsible for enforcing spay/neuter contracts, licensing ordinances, and issuing notices of violations and citations. Animal Care Specialists I are assigned to work in a specific functional service area on a rotating basis providing oversight to volunteer and Alternative Work Program participants. They also perform related duties as assigned and work under the general direction of the Animal Services Operations Supervisor. The Animal Care Specialist II is the journey level in this series. This position performs a variety of skilled and unskilled duties in the general maintenance, care and disposal of animals. Cleans, sanitize kennels and cages, and handles difficult animals including domestic pets, wildlife and livestock. This position has direct contact with the public, often in emotionally charged situations. Provides information, explains procedures and laws and also assists with adoptions and reclaims. This individual is also responsible for enforcing spay/neuter contracts, licensing ordinances and issuing notices of violations and citations. Animal Care Specialists are assigned to work in a specific functional service area on a rotating basis. They are responsible for all aspects of that part of the operation, including oversight of volunteer and Alternative Work Program participants. This individual is expected to function with minimum supervision and perform with more independence of action within established guidelines. This classification is required to perform routine daily humane euthanasia and related duties as assigned. Works under the general direction of the Animal Services Operations Supervisor. TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE Application Deadline: 50 Applications or August 26, 2026 Oral Examination: Tentatively scheduled for week of September 14, 2026 Questions? We're Here to Help! If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, the recruitment process, or need assistance with your application, please contact (209) 342-1742. Typical Tasks Animal Care Specialist I Receive, unload, process and impound animals from the general public and Animal Service Officers; Perform general, continuous clean up and maintenance of the assigned service area and grounds; Provide supervision and guidance to Alternative Work Program participants and/or volunteers at the center; Operate small trucks and stock trailers used in transporting animals, equipment and supplies; Examine animals to determine age/sex, behavioral characteristics and overall condition; Maintain inventory of food, tools and other related supplies; Conduct informational tours, educational tours for interested groups visiting the facility; Conduct animal adoption interviews with potential adopters; Administer vaccines and other prescribed medications to animals in our care; Assist the Animal Services Operations Supervisor and/or Animal Care Specialist II in performing humane euthanasia; Exercise tact, compassion, courtesy and poise while discharging assigned duties; Prepare legible, clearly written reports; Operate computer software for tracking animals; Go door-to-door enforcing spay/neuter contracts, vaccination and licensing laws; and Issue notices of violations and citations. Animal Care Specialist II Perform all the tasks required of an Animal Care Specialist I classification; Perform humane euthanasia; Conduct educational seminars and presentations; Respond to emergency calls after normal duty hours; and Coordinate and supervise the daily activities of the Alternative Work Program participants, Honor Farm inmates, and volunteers. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience) KNOWLEDGE General maintenance equipment and techniques; Basic handling techniques and behavioral characteristics of domestic pets, common wildlife and livestock; Basic understanding of common domestic pet anatomy; Basic understanding of State and local ordinances relating to the care and maintenance of domestic pets, livestock, wildlife and quarantining of suspected rabid animals; and General computer systems and operations. Skills/Abilities Demonstrate a genuine respect, compassion and humane concern for all animals; Identify common canine and feline breeds and other species of animals; Safely use animal handling equipment and common hand tools for repair of equipment; Follow written and oral instructions; Effectively read, understand, interpret and answer questions raised by fellow employees and the general public regarding policies and procedures; Prepare legible, clearly written records, logs and forms; Assist and work closely with authorized volunteers at the facility; and Coordinate and supervise the daily activities of the Alternative Work Program participants and volunteers. We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications. Education/Experience ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST I PATTERN I High School Diploma or GED Certificate; AND Fifteen (15) units of college course work in Animal Science or a closely related field. PATTERN II High School Diploma or GED Certificate; AND Minimum of six (6) months experience in a veterinary or pet adoption setting. This is a Veterans’ Preference Program eligible job classification. For more information please click here . The following education/experience requirements apply to both pattern I and II Possess and maintain valid First Aid/CPR/AED Certificates within one (1) year from date of appointment; AND Successfully complete and pass the department's Small Animal Euthanasia Certification Program within one (1) year of employment; AND Successfully complete and pass the Animal Behavior/Temperament class within one (1) year of employment; AND Successfully complete and pass the child and elder abuse and neglect reporting class within one (1) year of employment; AND Successfully complete and pass the Penal Code 832 class within one (1) year of employment. ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST II PATTERN I High School Diploma or GED Certificate; AND Fifteen (15) units of college course work in Animal Science or a closely related field; AND One (1) year minimum experience as an Animal Care Specialist I or its approved equivalency, in another private/public animal care facility; AND Possess and maintain a current valid departmental Small Animal Euthanasia Certificate, or another equivalent type certificate, author