Animal Shelter Coordinator, Foster - Public Works

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

The City of San José is one of the nation's best-managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work, and do business. The employees of the City have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, and Celebration. The City's Public Works Department (PWD) is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees. The Department of Public Works is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating, and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services.

Position Duties

San Jose Animal Care Services, a division in the Public Works Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Animal Shelter Coordinator, Foster vacancy.

Salary range for this classification is $34.32 - $41.77/hour. 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, Foster position has the responsibility to provide humane handling and care for animals sheltered at San Jose’s Animal Care Center and those in foster homes with a focus on building and maintaining relationships with foster volunteers, coordinating foster placements, tracking and following-up on animals in foster care, and managing the logistics associated with these functions. This position reports to the designated Animal Shelter Operations Supervisor and has lead responsibilities for Animal Care Attendants and program-related volunteers.

This position will undergo 4 - 6 weeks of training during normal business hours. This position may be required to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and respond to emergency animal services assignments.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Establish and maintain connections with foster volunteers and networks to enhance collaboration and support, align efforts, and achieve goals.
• Maintain an organized, accessible list, including contact information of foster volunteers, and their preferred placements.
• Assist in identifying animals from the shelter that are suitable for fostering.
• Communicate regularly with foster volunteers and ACS staff regarding the status of animals, including any medical requirements, adoption waivers, etc.
• Oversee foster program to ensure resources and guidance are provided to foster volunteers so they may care for animals effectively.
• Work closely with the DPW Public Information Manager to promote ACS foster programs to the public.
• Monitor and observe animals for signs of illness or injury and seek medical care as necessary or separate sick and injured animals for observation; administer first aid or minor treatments to animals; assist the Shelter Veterinarian and/or Animal Health Technician in minor medical procedures such as vaccinations; quarantine potentially infectious animals, including those which may be rabid.
• Conduct behavior evaluations as needed for cats, dogs, and other animals.
• Humanely euthanize and disposes of animals as necessary.
• Act as a lead in the animal shelter over entry level animal care personnel, such as Animal Care Attendants; assign, schedule, inspect work, provide technical direction, determine priorities, and train staff and volunteers. May approve timecards and give input to the supervisor regarding performance evaluations, hiring, promotion, termination, and discipline of employees.
• Perform 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.
• 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 blood borne 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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this division or other divisions and 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma

Experience: One (1) 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.

Certifications:

• 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 departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Experience with a foster program, 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. Chameleon experience is a plus.

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. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Britney Mesa at britney.mesa@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: 1/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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