Animal Care Attendant I/II (Full-Time & Part-Time Benefited/Unbenefited) - Public Works

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José is one of the nation's best-managed city in which to live, work, and do business. The employees of the City have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, and Celebration. The City's Public Works Department (PWD) is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees. The Department of Public Works is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services.

Position Duties

San Jose Animal Care Services, a division in the Public Works Department is currently seeking to fill multiple Animal Care Attendant I/II vacancies (full-time, part-time benefited, part-time unbenefited) for day, night and swing shifts. Animal Care Attendant I/II is the flexibly staffed entry/journey class in the Animal Care series, described as follows:

Animal Care Attendant I

This is the entry level class in the Animal Care series, responsible for performing duties associated with feeding, cleaning, care, and housing impounded animals. Positions at this level are not expected to function with the same amount of knowledge or skill level as positions allocated to the Animal Care Attendant II level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. This class differs from the next higher classification of Animal Care Attendant II in that the incumbents of the latter provide lead direction and staff training and perform at a higher level in animal care.

Animal Care Attendant II

This is the journey level class in the Animal Care series, wherein incumbents have learned the established procedures, and are responsible for performing the full range of duties. Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level 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 the Animal Health Technician in that the latter class performs paraprofessional medical care and treatment duties under the direction of veterinarian staff. This class is distinguished from the lower class of Animal Care Attendant I in that they are responsible for a higher level of animal care and may exercise lead direction over Animal Care Attendant I’s.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds while handling animals and equipment. Employees may work outside and be exposed to inclement weather, may be exposed to blood borne pathogens while using hypodermic needles on animals, may be exposed to animal scratches and bites, and may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, gases, chemicals, pollens, and other airborne irritants.

For night shift, this position will undergo training (4-6 weeks) during normal business day hours and will be scheduled to work 5 days a week in an overnight shift (within 9pm-8am) after training has been completed. This position will be required to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and respond to emergency animal services assignments.

Salary ranges for this classification are:

• Animal Care Attendant I (full-time and part-time, benefited): This classification is subject to the City’s Pay Floor rate of $28.99 hourly. This includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay.
• Animal Care Attendant I (part-time, unbenefited): This classification is subject to the City’s Pay Floor rate of $30.48 hourly. This includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay.
• Animal Care Attendant II (full-time and part-time benefited/unbenefited): $28.84 - $35.07 hourly. This includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay.

The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate's qualifications and experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Animal Care Attendant I

Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate).

Experience: None

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.): Obtain euthanasia certification within one (1) year of date of hire.

Animal Care Attendant II

Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate)

Experience: One (1) year (2,080 hours) experience handling and caring for animals at a level comparable to Animal Care Attendant I with the City of San José.

Acceptable Substitution: None

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.):

• Valid euthanasia certification
• Valid Veterinary Controlled Substance Permit
• Successful completion of Kitten Care Training Program

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Flexibility - Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.

Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Britney Mesa at britney.mesa@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 3/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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