Veterinary Assistant (Part-Time, Temporary)

Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year. Proud Heritage. Bright Future.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
DESCRIPTION
Under general supervision, performs routine animal care, treatment, maintenance and cleaning activities associated with the City's Animal Shelter; maintains and updates medical records; and performs related duties as assigned.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:

• Basic symptoms of common animal diseases.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Practices, methods, and materials used in cleaning animal facilities.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Safe and humane animal handling principles and practices.
• Methods for caring for and feeding domestic animals.
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of various animal species.
• Methods and techniques used in customer service and public relations.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance.
• Learn euthanasia techniques.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Learn procedures used to administer pharmaceuticals.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Work safely with aggressive animals and hazardous chemicals.
• Operate the equipment used in handling various types of animals.
• Learn to recognize disease symptoms of domestic animals.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• Independently handle and care for animals housed in the City's Animal Shelter.

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Indoor and outdoor environment; travel from site to site; when visiting sites the incumbent may be required to walk on uneven and slippery surfaces, be exposed noise dust, inclement weather conditions, and potentially hostile environments; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and in a field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift, carry, push, restrain, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations; to operate equipment and vehicle; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230.