REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

County of Santa Cruz -
Santa Cruz, CA

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Job Details

8 days ago

Benefits

Paid holidays
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Dependent health insurance coverage
Vision insurance
Bereavement leave
Life insurance

Qualifications

Surgery assistance
Companion animal handling
Customer communication
Veterinary medication administration
Veterinary Technician Certification
Moving
Pet vaccination
Non-CDL Class C
Medication supplies
Anesthesiology
Pharmaceutical inventory management
Pet medication administration

Full Job Description

County of S anta Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

R EGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Candidates
Encouraged to Apply
Supplemental Questionnaire Required
Open and Promotional
Job # 26-AD4-01
Salary: $5,271 - 6,543 / Month
*$15,000 Hiring Incentive: $7,500 Upon hire,

and an additional $7,500 Upon completion of

2080 county service hours

**September 2026 – 3.5% increase to base pay
Closing Date: Friday, July 17, 2026

County Equity Statement
Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status,

providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.
Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an environment

where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Under general supervision, assists a Veterinarian in healthcare and surgery for animals brought
into the shelter and the spay/neuter clinic; performs animal health procedures consistent with status as a
licensed Registered Veterinary Technician; and performs other work as required.

This position is responsible for independently providing paramedical treatment to animals and more
complex medical treatment under the direction of a licensed Veterinarian. Incumbents may provide lead
direction to Animal Health Specialists and other Registered Veterinary Technicians as well as providing
training and instruction to volunteers and other Animal Shelter staff. THE LIST ESTABLISHED WILL BE USED
TO FILL THE CURRENT VACANCY AND IT MAY ALSO BE USED TO FILL OTHER VACANCIES DURING THE LIFE OF
THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required
knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF A VALID REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN LICENSE
ISSUED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA VETERINARY MEDICAL BOARD

Special Requirements: License: Incumbents must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver
License and a valid Registered Veterinary Technician license issued by the State of California Veterinary
Medical Board. Hours: Availability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and/or holidays and
rotational on-call duty as required. Lifting: Incumbent must be able to lift, push/pull or carry up to 50

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

pounds unassisted. Training: Incumbents must attend and pass the Euthanasia by Injection certification
course within the first six months of hire. Special Working Conditions: Exposure to potentially hostile or
dangerous animals and exposure to animal feces and urine. Incumbents will be encouraged to undergo
a pre-rabies vaccination series.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of methods, techniques, medications and pharmaceuticals used in the
care and treatment of domestic animals; animal related surgical procedures in order to assist
Veterinarian; scope of practice for Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of California; animal care
and husbandry; anesthesia procedures and techniques; sterilization and surgical pack preparation
procedures; disease symptoms of domestic animals; euthanasia procedures and techniques; procedures
to perform prophylactic evaluations, cleanings and uncomplicated tooth extractions; procedures used to
control and administer pharmaceuticals; state and local codes, ordinances and regulations governing
quarantine, impounding, care and disposal of animals. Some knowledge of written communication for
narrative reports; customer service techniques for dealing with customers, often in a difficult or
confrontational situation.

Ability to: Perform medical procedures, administer medications and vaccinations in accordance with
license; prepare animals for surgery, assist with surgery and care for animals after surgery; assess animals
for illness/injury, handle and care for animals in a humane manner and provide appropriate treatment to
injured or sick animals as prescribed by the Veterinarian; induce and monitor animals under anesthesia;
identify symptoms of rabies and other common diseases of animals; work tactfully and effectively with
co-workers, staff of other agencies working with animals and the general public; move heavy, immobilized
or resistant animals; maintain inventories of drugs and medical supplies and advise Shelter Manager of
the need to order supplies; operate a personal computer; understand and follow oral and written
instructions; function calmly and determine the appropriate course of action in stressful and/or
emergency situations.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you
have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job
announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to
compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive
evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire.
You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may
be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the
administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall
score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during
those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to
take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite
510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications
will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final
filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Bilingual (Spanish/English), people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you
have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new
employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.
Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation
and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent
coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to
have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to
cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz
www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

LIVE Here WORK Here PLAY Here
CO/fh 5/26

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