Animal Care Technician II - Surgery and Triage

Job Description Summary

Department - Pima Animal Care Center

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5864 - Animal Care Technician II

Salary Grade: 4

Hiring Range: $19.16 Per Hour

The first review of applications will be on 06/26/2026.

Do you want to use your veterinary technician skills to make a direct impact on the lives of homeless, injured, and vulnerable animals every day? Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) is seeking compassionate, motivated veterinary technicians/assistants to join our surgery and triage teams. Shelter medicine offers a unique opportunity to combine technical veterinary skills with meaningful public service, helping hundreds of animals receive the care they need to recover, find homes, and thrive.


Whether you enjoy the fast pace of high-volume surgery or the challenge of emergency and critical care, we have opportunities for technicians who are passionate about animal welfare and making a difference. Every day in shelter medicine is different. Every day matters. If you're looking for a rewarding veterinary career where your skills have a direct impact on saving and improving lives, we'd love to hear from you.


PACC is open seven (7) days a week. All technicians will be trained in surgery and triage shifts. Schedule rotations required.

Schedules below:

Surgery Shifts: Monday to Friday; Five (5), Eight (8) hour shifts

Department hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Triage Shifts: Sunday to Saturday; Four (4), Ten (10) hour shifts
Department hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Schedule assigned within operating hours.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

  • Checks incoming animals for obvious health problems and injuries;

  • Ensures humane treatment of all animals at PACC;

  • Ensures the accuracy and completeness of documentation concerning incoming animals;

  • Assists in administering medication to sick animals as prescribed and directed by a veterinarian;

  • Cleans and sanitizes cages, kennels, floors, walls, windows, equipment, and treatment areas to maintain the sanitary conditions of the PACC;

  • Assists in performing euthanasia of animals, including following safety protocols for use and maintenance of DEA Schedule II drugs;

  • Reviews and organize documents, creates new records and inputs and retrieves information using automated systems;

  • Prepares and updates files, logs, status records, and other documentation to reflect the current status of a process and performs required purges;

  • Assists in maintaining accountability of scheduled drugs;

  • Administers necessary treatment in accordance with directions received from veterinarian;

  • Administers medications to sick animals as prescribed and directed by a veterinarian;

  • Performs animal triage and treatment;

  • Performs daily health checks on impounded animals;

  • Documents pertinent animal health data;

  • Prepares and processes euthanized, potentially rabid animals for laboratory analysis;

  • Collects and disposes of dead animals according to shelter procedure and health codes.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate AND six months of experience in a veterinary clinic or position involving handling animals OR completion of a vet technician/vet assistant certification.


(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

OR:

One year of experience working with Pima County as an Animal Care Technician I, Animal Care Response Technician or closely related position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

  • Minimum one (1) year experience working, volunteering, or interning in an animal shelter or vet clinic.

  • Minimum one (1) year experience working in an animal clinic as a technician or assistant.

  • Minimum six (6) months experience giving vaccines, medicating, or restraining animals.

  • Minimum six (6) months experience using veterinary medical terminology or transcribing medical records.

  • Certificate or completion of a veterinary assistant or technician degree from an accredited college.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Applicants are required to show proof of rabies immunization or are required to receive the rabies vaccine prior to employment. Within nine months of appointment, employees must receive the full series of pre-exposure rabies immunizations. Medical inability to be immunized or previous immunization must be verified by the County Physician prior to employment. Recommended boosters are required for the duration of employment, unless medically excused or physiologically unable to develop immunity. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen. This position will require post-job offer proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Ability to lift, carry, and push/pull up to 100 lbs. maximum, and 50 lbs. frequently. Regular bending, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting, stooping, and tasks requiring grasping and fine motor skills. Hearing and communication in noisy environments, including in person, by phone, and via radio. Must have depth perception and peripheral vision. Any other physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Action Activity - bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting, and stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas on a radio, behind themselves; Speaking Activity - in person, on a phone, on a radio; Vision - must be able to operate a motor vehicle, distinguish color, have depth perception, have peripheral vision. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds.

Working Conditions: Working conditions involve exposure to hot and cold temperatures, direct sun, and driving. Occasionally exposed to fall and foot hazards, traffic, water, and vapors. Any other working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.