Animal Care Attendant

The San Francisco Department of Animal Care & Control (SFACC) is a taxpayer-funded, open-admission animal shelter. Since 1989, SFACC has provided housing, care, and medical treatment to wild, exotic and domestic stray, lost, abandoned, sick, injured, and surrendered animals. SFACC's doors are open to all animals in need regardless of species, medical, or behavioral condition.

The shelter also enforces all state and local Animal Control and Welfare laws and is the first responder for animals in natural disasters and citizen emergencies.

• • SFACC shelters homeless, neglected, and abused animals and provide humane education and many other services to the community.
  • SFACC is the local agency that investigates animal cruelty, enforces animal welfare laws, rescues injured and orphaned wildlife and birds, and aids domestic animals in distress.
  • SFACC aims to adopt, re-home, or reunite domestic animals with their guardians and to release wildlife to their native habitat.

Job Announcement Opening Date: November 26, 2025

Job Announcement Closing Date: December 12, 2025, 11:59pm

Appointment Type:  Temporary Exempt - Full Time position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the appointment officer.  

Compensation: $ $ hourly

Job Description:

Under direct supervision from the Behavioral and Training Assistant Supervisor, the 3370 Animal Care Attendant performs the following essential functions; 

* Assists the Behavior and Training (B&T) Assistant Supervisor to ensure the shelter provides the highest quality care for dogs at SFACC.

* Assists in coordinating the internal Pathway Planning of dogs approved for transfer to adoption partner organizations.

* Performs behavior evaluations on dogs at the shelter to determine whether they are suitable for adoption at SFACC.

* Provides enrichment for dogs at the shelter to reduce stress, and helps implement behavior modification plans.

* Conducts play groups with other B&T staff on a weekly basis.

* Responsible for teaching volunteer training classes.

* Provides counseling for adopters before or after adoption, as needed.

* Performs general housekeeping duties, such as laundry, dishwashing and other general duties as they relate to B&T supplies and needs.

* Assists B&T staff and Volunteer Coordinator with promoting active and broad participation by dog volunteers.

* Communicates effectively and professionally with co-workers, management and the public at all times.  Promotes and emulates exemplary customer service.

* Assists staff, volunteers and the public in obtaining information about dog behavior and training. 

* Participates in special shelter projects and events including bi-annual town hall meetings, the annual Pet Pride Day and quarterly staff meetings.

* Performs related duties as assigned.

1. Six (6) months verifiable hands-on professional or volunteer experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and/or houses animals (e.g. animal care/control agency, humane society, veterinary hospital, boarding or pet day care facility, or pet store), working principally with dogs and cats; OR

2. 30 semester or 45 quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university.

3. One (1) year verifiable experience in caring for animals in a park, zoo, museum or university setting.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Some positions may require possession and maintenance of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Class C Driver's License.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Special requirement: Must complete euthanasia training within six (6) months of appointment.

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point in the application and/or departmental selection process. Written verification (proof) of qualifying experience must verify that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications stated on the announcement. Written verification must be submitted on employer's official letterhead, specifying name of employee, dates of employment, types of employment (part-time/full-time), job title(s), description of duties performed, and the verification must be signed by the employer. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which they are appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Commission Rules. Experience claimed in self-employment must be supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to the minimum qualifications of the position. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupations and total earnings must be submitted. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at 

"Part-time and volunteer experience may also be used to meet experience requirements. One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. Any overtime hours worked above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment." 

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

An ideal candidate will possess the following skills and experience:

* CPDT-KA, CTC or equivalent certification, or comparable experience working with and training dogs in a professional capacity, and teaching public or volunteer dog training classes.

* Knowledge of dog health and behavior issues, particularly those common in a shelter environment.

* Must be articulate, organized and be able to manage multiple priorities.

* Must have the ability to be patient and tactful when interacting with challenging, sensitive or emotional people and issues.

* Must have strong active listening and communication skills.

* Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Chameleon a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS INCLUDE:

* Prolonged exposure to high noise levels and unpleasant odors in the kennels.

* Work with people form diverse backgrounds, including individuals who may be angry or hostile.

* Clean up animal excrement and sanitize kennels and /or cages.

* A very busy office and working environment.

* Frequently handling and being exposed to dogs with unknown temperament and behavior.

* Limited exposure to fumes or airborne particles and toxic chemicals.

* Having to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

* Being prepared to work a flexible schedule, which includes weekends and evenings.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Additional information

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Mailed, hand delivered or faxed documents/applications will not be accepted.

For any questions regarding this posting, please contact the analyst, Jason Wong, at [email protected] 

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to participate in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Qualified applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation in the selection process must contact the Agency by phone at or, if hearing impaired at TTY).

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.