animal services assistant

County of S anta Cruz

INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

ANIMAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Encouraged to Apply

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional

Job # 25-AC1-01

Salary: $4,125-4,964 / Month*

Closing Date: Friday, October 24, 2025

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status,

providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an environment

where everyone can thrive and belong.

Make a difference every day at the Santa Cruz County Animal shelter In this role, you'll be at the heart of

daily operations, gathering and sharing information and helping people connect with animals. Whether

answering phone calls and emails, sharing information about animals or processes, or explaining animal

welfare regulations, you'll serve as a welcoming point of contact for the public in a fast-paced

environment. You'll maintain accurate records, handle fees for adoptions, reclaims and other services,

guide adopters through the process of finding a new companion, and assist with reuniting lost pets with

their families. Every day brings opportunities to make a direct impact- helping animals in need, supporting

community members, and ensuring smooth shelter operations.

• The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the following vacancies:

1. One Full-Time Substitute position, see salary listed above

2. Extra-Help1 positions with an hourly rate of $23.80-$28.64, depending on experience, and varied

hours

The list may also be used to fill other vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required

knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

ONE YEAR OF EXPERIENCE IN GENERAL OFFICE CLERICAL WORK OR CUSTOMER SERVICE RELATIONS THAT

DEMONSTRATES APPLICATION OR POSSESSION OF THE REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES LISTED

BELOW. SIX MONTHS OF EXPERIENCE WITH HABITS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS,

ESPECIALLY DOGS AND CATS, MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS OF THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

ON AN HOUR-FOR-HOUR BASIS.

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Apply online at:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C

Driver License, or the ability to provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions, high levels of

noise, unpleasant odors, possible sunburn, bodily injury or contact with toxic substances or chemical

irritants, exposure to animals who may be hostile or dangerous and potentially hostile clients. Physically

and mentally capable of performing the position's essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks

section of this specification. Hours: Ability to work flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and/or

holidays.

KNOWLEDGE: Working knowledge of office procedures and practices, computers, database information

entry, retrieval and storage; State and local rules, regulations, and good practices regarding animal care

and keeping; communication devices including telephone, pager, cell phones, and two-way radio; and

good practices and guidelines for successful matching of homeless animals with suitable adopters. Some

knowledge of habits and characteristics of domestic animals, especially with dogs and cats and good

customer service and relations.

ABILITY TO: Perform clerical work involving a good degree of independent judgment and requiring speed

and accuracy; quickly learn the specific operations to which assigned; understand and follow written and

oral directions; operate standard office equipment; establish and maintain cooperative working

relationships with the public and others, and represent the agency and the work of the agency positively

to the public at large; make simple arithmetic computations; communicate effectively orally and through

written expression, and communicate effectively on the telephone; recognize problems, gather relevant

information, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, respond promptly and communicate clearly and

concisely both orally and in writing; maintain current, complex and accurate records; exercise discretion

and judgment in dealing with the public, co-workers, and staff of other agencies, including law

enforcement agencies, sometimes under stressful and emotional circumstances; work effectively under

pressure and deadlines; adjust schedules to meet changing priorities and demand for services by the

public; be able to word process and enter data at a moderate rate of speed; lift up to 50 pounds

unassisted; stand for periods of time, walk and retrieve animals from the shelter; receive animals from the

public, and place animals into receiving cages; and work in a noisy, active, and busy environment, at close

quarters.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you

have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job

announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to

compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive

evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire.

You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may

be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the

administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall

score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during

those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to

take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at or mail/bring an application and

supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room

510, Santa Cruz, CA For information, call Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications

will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final

filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. IF YOU HAVE A

DISABILITY THAT REQUIRES TEST ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new

employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require Fingerprinting and/or Background Investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation

and/or sick leave.

HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.

MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County

contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.

VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent

coverage.

RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA

Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average

compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.

LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.

DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability

Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.

DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to

have their contributions made utilizing "pre-tax dollars."

H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.

HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to

cover qualifying health care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

1Extra-help employees receive a $2.00/ hour differential and do not receive benefits. Extra-help

employees cannot work more than 999 hours in a fiscal year and are covered by Social Security. Extra-

help employees are used for employment on short-term projects; on a seasonal basis to meet recurrent

work peaks; employment on an as-needed basis to meet peak workload, emergency, or other unusual

situations.

NOTE: PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.

County of Santa Cruz

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CO/fh 10/25