Veterinary Assistant

About the Department

Under supervision of the Animal Services Supervisor and guidance by the Registered Veterinary Technician, the Veterinary Assistant supports the operation of the City’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, providing paraprofessional veterinary medical care and treatment to animals, administers and safeguards medicines and controlled substances, performs various related tasks within the City’s Animal Shelter including the care and processing of impounded animals, cleaning and maintenance of animal kennels and animal shelter facilities, assists citizens with looking to reclaim impounded animals and/or adopt new animals, and performs related duties, as required.

Position Duties

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide outstanding customer service to residents, customers, staff, volunteers, contractors, and other agencies in person, via telephone or through electronic communications.  
• Process and document new animals arriving to the animal shelter.
• Process animal adoptions, foster, and animal rescues transactions.
• Assist the Registered Veterinary Technician with the assessment and treatment of animals, document the health and behavior of animals as needed. 
• Observe and recognize symptoms in animals for signs of illness or injury and document findings in shelter database. 
• Under the guidance of the Registered Veterinary Technician, Administer vaccinations, medications, and/or treatments for sheltered animals. 
• Scan and apply microchip and other special identification media. 
• Assist with kennel operations at the shelter including daily kennel cleaning and disinfecting feed and water bowls.
• Under the guidance of the Registered Veterinary Technician, coordinate the medical care of injured or sick animals with local veterinarians.  
• Assist with special adoption or community events including vaccinations, pet licensing and microchip events. ? 
• Administer anesthesia and/or euthanize animals when necessary, following policy and procedure guidelines with the direction of the Division supervisor. 
• Process and maintain various pet records, including animal health records, spaying/neutering, surgery, vaccinations and final disposition. 
• Assist the Registered Veterinary Technician with spay/neuter surgeries and any other procedures in the shelter including transportation of animals for veterinarian care.
• Safely operate City vehicles and equipment. 
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines:

High school diploma or GED equivalent. One year of experience working with domestic animals in a animal shelter, veterinary hospital, or other similar animal care facility. Sixty college semester units in a related veterinary or humane field may substitute for one year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of Veterinary Assistant experience

License and Certification Requirements: 

• Must possess a valid California class “C” driver’s license upon hire and maintain throughout employment with the City of Victorville.  
  

Within six months of employment, must possess or be able to obtain:

• Certification in the euthanasia of animals by injection.
• Certification for Controlled Substance Registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Knowledge of: 

• Basic understanding of City ordinances, rules, and policies. 
• Animal impound, shelter, licensing, adoption, foster, and rescue protocols and processing procedures.  
• Proper English usage, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. 
• Proper animal handling and cleaning techniques to avoid the spread of disease to other animals, employees, and volunteers.  
• Animal nutritional and neonatal care basics.
• Identification of various breeds of dogs, cats, and other?small?domestic animals. 
• Identification of symptoms of common Animal diseases and illnesses in puppies, dogs, kittens and cats. 
• Principles of animal behavior and care.  

Skill and Ability to:

• Provide excellent and efficient customer service. 
• Approach and handle animals of all types and temperaments in a safe manner.    
• Administer injections to animal patients.
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Communicate clearly and objectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Use patience, tact, and courtesy in dealing with the public.
• Prioritize and organize daily workload to ensure the most efficient and humane care for the shelter's animals. 
• Read, interpret, and apply information effectively.
• Thoroughly carrying out oral and written instructions. 
• Manage situations requiring diplomacy, tact, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment. 
• Effectively operate a personal computer and various software applications. 
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, businesses, contractors, public, and private agencies. 
• Apply safe work practices while maintaining occupational hazards and safety practices in animal services.  

Other Qualifications

Work is performed outdoors, and occasionally in an indoor kennel or office work environment. Office may contain a variety of domestic animals, reptiles, avian animals, and static animal displays. May be required to use a stair-step system. May be required to perform frequent bending, twisting, and stooping motions. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds. Exposure to diseased, injured, and dangerous animals, wet or humid conditions, heat, cold, nuisance odors, and chemicals. May be exposed to dust, extreme noise levels, machinery, and extreme weather conditions. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays, as assigned. 

Providing municipal services and governance for the Victorville community.