Temporary Veterinary Assistant

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside's Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) is seeking a Temporary Veterinary Assistant to support the Department of Animal Services.We have several vacancies for our offices in Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Coachella.

Under supervision, assists Veterinary Surgeon by performing routine and para-professional duties involved in the surgical sterilization of small animals at a County Spay and Neuter Clinic; assists in the care and treatment of animals; and performs other related duties as required.

The Veterinary Assistant is an entry-level classification and reports to a Supervising Registered Veterinary Technician. The County Spay and Neuter Program and shelter functions as part of the Veterinary Services Division of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. Sterilization surgeries are performed on small animals (e.g., dogs, cats and rabbits), and shelter animals are examined and treated for minor illnesses or injuries.

The Veterinary Assistant is distinguished from the Registered Veterinary Technician class in that the latter is registered by the California Veterinary Medical Board and performs the more complex pre-surgery and post-surgery care of animals as allowable under their certification. Instruction, guidance, and supervision is received from a Veterinary Surgeon or Supervising Registered Veterinary Technician. Upon obtaining a valid Registered Veterinary Technician certificate, incumbents may promote to the Registered Veterinary Technician class with a satisfactory performance evaluation.

HIGHLY IMPORTANT - ALL CANDIDATES MUST HAVE A COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPT(S) UPLOADED BEFORE SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

Meet the Team!

The County of Riverside Animal Services Department's Mission is "Working together to improve Riverside County for people and animals."

TAP Benefits:https://www.rc-hr.com/Find-A-Job/Job-Searching/Temporary-Medical-Assignment-Program/TAP-Benefits

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assist a Veterinary Surgeon in the administration of physical examinations to determine surgical fitness of animals by handling animals during the examination.

• Prepare instruments and medical supplies for Veterinary Surgeon's use; prepare animals for sterilization surgery and assist with anesthesia procedures.

• Provide the Veterinary Surgeon with supplies needed during the sterilization surgery of animals; provide support for any emergencies that might arise.

• Monitor animals during surgery as needed; observe animals after surgery to detect any abnormal behavior or physical symptoms and report findings to the Veterinary Surgeon.

• Clean and prepare surgical packs and instruments for sterilization prior to surgery; provide general care for and feed animals.

• Under direction, render first aid, medical treatment, and therapy as required for hospitalized animals.

• Assist with admittance and discharge of animals to and from clinic.

• Assist in training clinic personnel; order necessary materials and medications required by the Spay and Neuter Facility and Shelter.

• Assist with filling prescriptions; assist spay and neuter staff with daily operations.

• Observe general shelter population for illness and/or injury.

• Assist veterinarians in treating shelter animals, including a variety of exotic animals, through the restraining and managing of many different species.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPTION I

Education: None required.

Experience: Two years of experience in the care and treatment of small animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian at a veterinary clinic or small animal hospital. (Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units in animal health, animal science, zoology, or a related field to the assignment may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.)

OPTION II

Education: None required.

Experience: Three years of experience in the care and handling of animals with a public or private agency. (Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units in animal health, animal science, zoology, or a related field to the assignment may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.)

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of: Safe, humane, and efficient methods for the care and treatment of small animals, particularly dogs and cats; equipment and procedures used at a veterinary clinic; physical and behavioral characteristics of small animals; substances and methods used to clean and disinfect animal habitats.

Ability to: Care for small animals; recognize abnormal behavioral and physical symptoms in small animals; safely handle and maintain clinic medical instruments and equipment; deal tactfully and effectively with the public; maintain simple records and make reports as necessary.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). If you are a qualified individual and need a reasonable accommodation to take this exam, contact the recruiter before taking the exam. For additional information and the accommodation form, visit the Disability Access Office web page at:http://dao.rc-hr.com

Veterans' Preference

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policyHERE.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

What's Next?

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

Application Period

BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. All applicants must submit a complete application by the closing date of this recruitment. No late applications will be permitted.

Include relevant work experience details on your resume and/or application.

Applicants who fail to provide information demonstrating they possess the position requirements may not be considered further in the application process. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Educatithe on Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).

For specific questions regarding this position, please contact Brian Arcinas at barcinas@rivco.org