Animal Care Technician

City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for

ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

$23.60 - $35.48 per hour
 
APPLY BY:  3:00 P.M., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025

SEARCH SCHEDULE: Online applications must be completed & submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on the filing deadline. NeoGov will reject all applications started prior to 3:00 p.m., but not submitted by 3:00 p.m. No exceptions will be made to the closing deadline. Please plan accordingly.

The first round of Zoom interviews is scheduled for some time the week of November 3, 2025.  Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend.   The City will not accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternate dates.  It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.

The Position

Looking for an op-paw-tunity to work with & transform the lives of animals? Do you enjoy matching animals with their fur-ever family?  Do you have some claw-ver marketing & outreach strategies? If yes, we are looking for you!

The City of Mission Viejo seeks a motivated candidate to serve as our next Animal Care Technician.  This position is responsible for providing daily care and enrichment for shelter animals, assisting with adoption counseling, performing behavioral assessments of shelter animals, and providing excellent customer service.

There is one (1) full-time vacancy scheduled to work forty (40) hours per week: Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The schedule and assignment may change to include evenings, weekends, and special events depending on the needs of the City.  This is an FLSA non-exempt position and is entitled to overtime.   The eligibility list established for this position may be used to fill future full-time, part-time or temporary Animal Care Technician and/or Kennel Attendant vacancies.   

Your Impact & Contributions

1. Promote positive relationships with the public, management team, fellow staff members, and volunteers.
2. Provide the highest of standards of animal husbandry, customer service, conflict resolution and communication to the public while upholding & promoting the Center’s programs and policies.
3. Complete daily cleaning and feeding routines in a timely, organized, and professional manner.
4. Provide kennel enrichment for all domestic animals, and evaluate & socialize animals.
5. Monitor the health of shelter animals and report symptoms of illness.
6. Assist Senior Animal Care Technician and veterinarian with medical treatments, pre-surgical, surgical, and post-surgical procedures.
7. Drive City provided vehicle to transport animals, materials, and animal care supplies.
8. Safely handle domestic and wild animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
9. Enter clear and concise data and notes utilizing database software.
10. Actively engage with volunteers by providing training and supervision.
11. Learn about the personalities and traits of the adoptable pets in our care, promote great qualities to potential adopters via social media posts and facilitate animal/animal introductions utilizing Center protocols.

Applicants are encouraged to review the entire Animal Care Technician job description by visiting the City’s website at https://cityofmissionviejo.org.

Your Team

The members of the Mission Viejo Animal Services Department are passionate and dedicated to making a difference every day for the domestic animals and wildlife living in the communities they serve. They are looking for someone with the same strong work ethic and passion to join them. 

The Department provides services for Mission Viejo and four surrounding cities which include: City of Aliso Viejo, City of Laguna Hills, City of Laguna Niguel and City of Rancho Santa Margarita. The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is a pro-humane facility that provides an array of services including animal licensing, rabies control, pet adoption, community outreach presentations, patrol of public streets and parks, picking up injured wildlife, impounding stray dogs/cats, issuing citations, and providing a shelter for homeless animals. The facility has dogs, cats and rabbits available for adoption year-round.

Ideal Candidate

• Is a reliable and flexible team player, enthusiastic about helping others; able to work both independently and in a group environment;
• Can establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with all levels of staff, volunteers, and the public;
  • Can handle stressful situations, learn from setbacks, maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges, and demonstrate the ability to remain calm when dealing with disgruntled people;
  • Strong work experience demonstrating sound independent judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions while using tact and discretion;
  • Possess strong animal handling skills including the ability to evaluate animal health and behavior, and a passion for animals; and
  • Knowledge of computer applications such Word, Excel, Outlook, Chameleon and has the ability to quickly learn new programs.

Qualifications

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12) grade and one (1) year of experience in working with domestic animals in a veterinary clinic or other animal facility. Positions in this classification occasionally lift, move, and carry animals that typically weigh up to 100 pounds.

License and Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record as transporting animals is an essential function of this position.

APPLY BY: 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 24, 2025.  Applicants are required to apply on-line directly by visiting the City’s website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/missionviejo.

For more information, contact the Human Resources Division at (949) 470-3008.