Animal Health Technician
If you're looking to make a difference in the lives of animals and our community, we encourage you to apply!
Starting salary up to $36.98/hour and a competitive total compensation package!
About the Position
The Department of Health Services is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and collaborative Animal Health Technician (AHT) to join their shelter team. The AHT plays a key role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals in County care while supporting daily shelter operations, enrichment programs, and public interactions. This is a hands-on position for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and is passionate about animal welfare. Some of the additional responsibilities include:
- Providing daily animal care, including enrichment and behavior modification
- Conduct behavior evaluations and collaborate with the behavior program team
- Perform intake exams, administer vaccinations, and work alongside the veterinary team
- Execute humane euthanasia and prepare rabies specimens, as required
- Support and collaborate with volunteers, providing direction as needed
- Participate in adoption counseling and manage the owner surrender list
- Facilitate animal transfers, including preparing videos, records, and partner communications
- Perform accurate data entry into medical records and shelter management software (Chameleon)
The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of animal behavior, enrichment, and safe animal handling techniques. In addition, you will possess many of the following:
- Familiarity with animal diseases, symptoms, and shelter disease control best practices
- A deep commitment to animal welfare, with a strong sense of empathy and resilience
- The ability to operate in both structured and flexible environmentscomfortable working in gray areas when needed
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging with individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds
- The ability to maintain professionalism and positivity in difficult situations
- A commitment to personal and professional growth with a drive to elevate the standards of animal care
- Data entry experience (Microsoft Office and/or Chameleon systems preferred)
- Must have or be willing to obtain:
- California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit
- California Humane Euthanasia Certificate
- A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) License is desired, but not required
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Student Loan Debt Relief County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a 0.5 FTE Part-Time Animal Health Technician position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future part-time or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.