POSITION DESCRIPTION

Looking for an opportunity to create a positive change in your city? Look no further! The Fresno Animal Center is recruiting for an Animal Care Specialist I.

Animal Care Specialist I is the entry level class in the Animal Care Specialist series. Responsibilities include performing intake and processing animals as they arrive at the Animal Center; feeding animals and providing medical care in accordance with established policies and procedures including administering vaccinations, medications and basic first aid; monitoring and documenting animal behavior, temperament and health; ensuring that kennels, cages and equipment remain clean and sanitized; assisting the public with meet and greets with adoptable animals; assisting with animal enrichment activities including social and mental stimulation and physical exercise consistent with the animal care plan; and performing related work as required.

Animal Care Specialist I positions are flexibly staffed. Animal Care Specialist I is expected to progress to the experienced level of Animal Care Specialist II with appropriate training, experience, and satisfactory performance.

Incumbents will be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays and

respond to after-hours emergencies as needed; will be exposed to a working environment

with animals (primarily dogs and cats) which may lead to possible exposure of unpleasant

odors and noises, allergens, interactions with animals, and possible exposure to zoonotic

diseases; and will be required to handle and restrain animals humanely and safely using

approved protocols and practices. Incumbents will be required to become certified to perform euthanasia and will carry out euthanasia as needed.

Several vacancies exist in the Animal Center Department. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period for up to a maximum of two years at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.

PAY, BENEFITS, & WORK SCHEDULE

Incumbents will be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays and respond to after-hours emergencies as needed.

BENEFITS: UNIT 3 Classification - The Fresno City Employees Association, Inc. (FCEA)

 HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.

VACATION LEAVE: Accrue 8 - 14.66 hours per month based on years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Eight (8) hours per month, available after 90 days

SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum

HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.

SHORT TERM DISABILITY: Provided through California SDI program.

BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free.

RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state.  Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years.  Participation minimum is age 50 and vested.  Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at

https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

THE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and does not assure a place on the eligibility list:

 ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST I

 High School diploma or GED equivalent, at time of appointment.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Driver's License may be required at time of appointment.

A valid Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP), issued by the Veterinary Medical Board of the State of California, may be required upon direction of the appointing authority.

Depending on assignment, complete training and obtain certification to operate a Forklift.

Recruitment may be limited to a specific area of expertise as required by operational needs.

The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a Department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint process prior to employment with the City of Fresno.

Animal Care Specialist I:

 

Within six (6) months of appointment, incumbents will be required to complete Euthanasia Training consistent with California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 2039.

SELECTION PROCESS

The examination process may consist of the following:

WRITTEN EXAMINATION: 100%:  A job related written examination will be administered which may test a candidate's knowledge in the following areas: animal care, public contact, safety, office software, and other relevant information.

Candidates must achieve a passing score to qualify for the eligible list.

The written examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of February 10th, 2025.

The City of Fresno reserves the right to amend the selection process at any time.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION.  PLEASE VISIT www.fresno.gov/jobs. TO APPLY.  For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail.  All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application.  Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis.  Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal.

It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.

VETERAN PREFERENCE REGULATIONS 

Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period.  Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service.  Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.