Veterinary Assistant

**VETERINARY ASSISTANT** **SALARY INFORMATION** Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. **OPEN TO THE PUBLIC** This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Veterinary Assistant vacancies within OC Community Resources/OC Animal Care. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange. **DEADLINE TO APPLY** **Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT).** Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. **OC ANIMAL CARE** [OC Animal Care's](http://www.ocpetinfo.com/ "http://www.ocpetinfo.com/") mission is to provide refuge and care for animals, foster the human-animal bond and promote safety in our community to ensure a safe compassionate community for all. OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership; health and safety of people and animals and spay/neuter programs. OC Animal Care provides temporary shelter and medical care for lost, owned, or stray animals and opportunities for adoption for these animals. OC Animal Care (OCAC) was founded in 1941 in the City of Orange in Orange County, California as a rabies control center with only 25 dog kennels. Since then, OCAC has expanded to play an important role in Orange County's animal care community. OCAC serves 15 cities and the unincorporated areas of Orange County with its expanded programs and services. OCAC's goal is to deliver prompt, temporary care, and refuge to homeless animals, reunite animals with their owners, facilitate adoption, ensure public safety, and enhance the human-animal bond in the community. The shelter is designed to provide a positive experience for animals and people alike and is the backdrop for the adaptive animal programming continually developed by OC Animal Care to provide enrichment, engagement and adoption services for the animals in its care. For more information on [OC Community Resources](http://occr.ocgov.com/) click on the link. For more information on the [County of Orange](https://ocgov.com/) click on the link. **THE OPPORTUNITY** The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for assisting in the care and treatment of ill and/or injured animals at Orange County Animal Care. Examples of job duties include but are not limited to: - Under the direction of the Veterinarian and supervision of the Registered Veterinary Technician, provides medical care to animals, assists in conducting physical examinations; and assists with admissions, discharges, and surgical releases. - Assists with surgeries by ensuring correct equipment and instruments are at hand and monitors anesthetic machines. - Maintains records of animal treatments and monitor feeding, care, and physical conditions of animals. - Maintains effective interactions with the public. - Answers routine animal care questions. - Humanely euthanizes impounded animals by the injection of appropriate substances when medical conditions or behavioral defects adversely affect the animal or public safety. **OC Animal Care provides service 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Incumbents should be prepared to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Incumbents may be drafted for mandatory overtime in the event of an emergency, disaster, or during periods of unexpected staffing shortages.** **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES** In addition to the training and experience requirements for Veterinary Assistant, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the core competencies below: **Technical Knowledge | Experience** - Performing euthanasia by injection - Understanding and application of animal husbandry to handle and care for animals in a humane manner - Working with animals in a shelter or similar environment - General knowledge of surgical nursing and medical nursin…