Animal Health Technician - Extra-Help

Salary : $30.42 - $36.98 Hourly

Location : Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type : Extra Help

Job Number : 25 / 06-4303-EHC

Department : Department of Health Services (DHS)

Opening Date : 06 / 12 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Bargaining Unit : 05

Position Information

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

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)

As the ideal candidate for this position, you will have knowledge of animal behavior, enrichment, and safe animal handling techniques. In addition, you will possess many of the following :

California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit

Extra-Help Employment

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a temporary, extra-help Animal Health Technician position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience : Any combination of education and experience which would provide for the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of experience performing paramedical tasks in a veterinary office or animal shelter or possession of a valid Animal Health Technician Certificate issued by the California State Board of Examiners would provide the knowledge and abilities.

License : Possession of an Animal Health Technician Certificate is highly desirable. Possession of a valid driver's license.

Special Requirements : Completion of P.O.S.T. course work and certification in the use of firearms and exercising powers of arrest as specified in Penal Code 830.9 may be required.

The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of : methods, techniques, and medication and pharmaceuticals used in the care and treatment of animals; physical and behavioral characteristics of common domestic animals and livestock and characteristics of common diseases.

Ability to : learn State laws and County ordinances relating to the care, treatment, and impounding of animals; handle animals properly and perform the work in a humane manner; willingness to conduct euthanasia of animals by direct injection; recognize symptoms of rabies and other common diseases of animals; properly and legibly complete necessary forms; work tactfully and effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies working with animals, and the general public.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination :

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass / not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst : KK

HR Technician : SZ

IMPORTANT NOTE : Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS : GENERAL

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers :

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement : Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit

IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance / benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief : County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) 565-2900.

How did you first learn about this opportunity?

This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English / Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions, and your level of proficiency.

Do you possess a current, valid, Registered Veterinary Technician license issued by the Veterinary Medical Board (formerly known as an Animal Health Technician Certificate)?

Do you possess or are willing to obtain a California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP)?

Do you possess or are you willing to obtain a California Humane Euthanasia Certificate?

For this question, provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.

Please describe your two years or more of experience performing paramedical tasks in a veterinary office or animal shelter.

Required Question