Animal Shelter Coordinator – Overstrength – Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS)

Job Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

Are you ready to join the team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?
The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’s strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns.

Position Duties

The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Animal Shelter Coordinator - Overstrength vacancy in the Animal Care Services Division. This is a temporary (overstrength) position that is subject to further extension as appropriate. If this position is not extended through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.

Salary range for this classification is $71,394.96 - $86,879.52 annually. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

The Animal Shelter Coordinator has the responsibility to provide humane handling and care for animals sheltered at San Jose’s Animal Care Center. This position reports to the Animal Shelter Operations Supervisors and has lead responsibilities for Animal Care Attendants and Animal Health Technicians.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Acts as a lead in the animal shelter over entry level animal care personnel, such as Animal Care Attendants. Assigns, schedules, inspects work, provides technical direction, determines priorities, and trains staff and volunteers. May approve timecards and give input to the supervisor regarding performance evaluations, hiring, promotion, termination, and discipline of employees.
• Performs duties similar to the duties performed by Animal Care Attendants. These duties include receiving and properly kenneling animals, collecting fees, feeding and caring for impounded animals, cleaning, disinfecting, inspecting, euthanizing animals, and maintaining shelter facilities, assisting the public in claiming or adopting animals.
• Performs administrative duties such as completing and maintaining records (i.e; feeding, care needs, and holding periods for impounded animals, etc.), generating operational reports, maintaining inventories of food, equipment, supplies, animals, etc.
• Explains, interprets, and makes presentations of ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations to citizens, groups, agencies, businesses, and other entities; participates in and coordinates public education programs, rabies and spay/neuter clinics.
• Works cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required; collaborates with members of animal rescue and foster care groups.
• Monitors and observes animals for signs of illness or injury and seeks medical care as necessary or separates sick and injured animals for observation; administers first aid or minor treatments to animals; assists the Shelter Veterinarian and/or Animal Health Technician in minor medical procedures such as vaccinations; Quarantines potentially rabid animals.
• Conducts behavior evaluations for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and rats, and makes recommendations to Shelter Operations Supervisor regarding placement. Humanely euthanizes and disposes of animals as necessary.
• Advises public of legal rights and explains and interprets animal control laws, ordinances, regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Ability to handle animals humanely and safely using approved protocols and practices.
• Skilled in using the proper control techniques on animals entering the shelter.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds while handling animals and equipment. Employees may work outside and be exposed to inclement weather, may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens while using hypodermic needles on animals, may be exposed to animal scratches and bites, and may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, gases, chemicals, pollens, and other airborne irritants.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school diploma and one year of experience similar in nature to an Animal Services Officer or Animal Care Attendant with the City of San José or two (2) years of experience in the care and handling of animals in a public or private facility that cares for and houses animals.

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)

• Valid California Driver’s License
  

• Note: Incumbents will be required to obtain euthanasia certification within one year following employment.
  

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmentalprocedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. A valid certification as a Registered Veterinary Technician, Euthanasia certification, ability to administer vaccinations, ability to recognize animal diseases, and the ability to evaluate temperament and behavior in dogs and cats is highly desirable.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific