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ANIMAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

County of Santa Cruz • Full-time • Santa Cruz, California, United States • 2m ago

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: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

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 www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room
510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. 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 (831) 454-2600.

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.