Animal Care Technician II - Surgery & Triage

About the Role

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) is seeking multiple 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 direct impact on saving and improving lives.

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

Schedule

Surgery Shifts: Monday to Friday; five 8-hour shifts. Department hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Triage Shifts: Sunday to Saturday; four 10-hour shifts. Department hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Schedule assigned within operating hours.

Responsibilities

• Check incoming animals for obvious health problems and injuries.
• Ensure humane treatment of all animals at PACC.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of documentation concerning incoming animals.
• Assist in administering medication to sick animals as prescribed and directed by a veterinarian.
• Clean and sanitize cages, kennels, floors, walls, windows, equipment, and treatment areas to maintain sanitary conditions.
• Assist in performing euthanasia of animals, including following safety protocols for use and maintenance of DEA Schedule II drugs.
• Review and organize documents, create new records, and input and retrieve information using automated systems.
• Prepare and update files, logs, status records, and other documentation to reflect current status and perform required purges.
• Assist in maintaining accountability of scheduled drugs.
• Administer necessary treatment in accordance with directions received from a veterinarian.
• Perform animal triage and treatment.
• Perform daily health checks on impounded animals.
• Document pertinent animal health data.
• Prepare and process euthanized, potentially rabid animals for laboratory analysis.
• Collect and dispose of dead animals according to shelter procedure and health codes.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum three months of experience working, volunteering, or interning in an animal shelter, vet clinic, or other relevant animal setting.
• Experience giving animal vaccines, medicating, or restraining animals.
• Minimum three months of experience using veterinary medical terminology or transcribing medical records.

Pay

$19.74 per hour.

Special Requirements

• Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment.
• Applicants must show proof of rabies immunization or receive the rabies vaccine prior to employment. Within nine months of appointment, employees must receive the full series of pre-exposure rabies immunizations. Recommended boosters are required for the duration of employment unless medically excused.
• This position requires post-job offer proof of immunization(s) and/or a TB screening, as well as a physical and/or drug screen.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and 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.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to hot and cold temperatures, direct sun, and driving.
• Occasionally exposed to fall and foot hazards, traffic, water, and vapors.