This examination is being given to fill 1 vacancy in the Department of Parks & Recreation and to establish an eligible list that may be used to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.
NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.
Pre-Employment Background, DOJ Live Scan and Drug Screen: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a DOJ Live Scan, a pre-employment background investigation and a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has successfully completed the DOJ Live Scan, background process and passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.
- Monitors the health and well-being of living animal collections by noting physical or behavioral changes, and takes appropriate action; observes for signs of illness or injury, including diet consumption and other variables used to assess animal condition; records and reports problems and consults with supervisory staff and veterinarian as necessary; captures, moves or isolates animals as circumstances require, ensuring safety of the animals, staff and the public.
- Prepares and distributes animal diets; prepares meals according to prescribed needs of animals; adds dietary supplements; maintains safe and sanitary food preparation and storage areas; monitors food and supplies inventory; prepares lists and orders food and supplemental items; rotates stock to ensure fresh food supply.
- Cleans, disinfects and maintains animal exhibits and veterinary facilities; removes waste; cleans and disinfects water bowls and water areas; rakes and disposes of leaves and litter; makes minor repairs to maintain integrity of enclosures; monitors for pests and predators; checks operating systems and makes seasonal adjustments as conditions require.
- Provides animal enrichment to simulate natural conditions; researches natural behavior and habitats; plans and implements training projects; documents effectiveness of enrichment provided; identifies and installs appropriate exhibit furnishings, such as perching, nest sites, foraging areas, resting platforms, landscape materials.
- Prepares, distributes, and documents medications, and provides health care under veterinary direction; may calculate and measure restraint drugs; captures or restrains animals for veterinary care procedures and animal management needs; monitors animals during post-operative recovery period.
- Maintains exhibits, grounds, service areas, and support facilities to provide a safe, attractive and healthy environment for animals, and the public; maintains operations of aquatic systems; monitors equipment to maintain required safety standards for zoo species and the public; assists in planning or design to update or create new exhibits.
- Supervises and inspects volunteer staff work; trains volunteer staff.
- Interacts with zoo visitors and general public; explains and enforces zoo regulations and policies; provides information on animal natural history, care and conservation; answers routine questions by zoo visitors; makes presentations to community groups; communicates with professional peers on questions affecting species management and care.
- Provides safe transport of zoo specimens for acquisition, disposition and/or veterinary medical needs and provides species-appropriate temporary housing as required.
- Prepares records and reports regarding zoo activities, as required.
Education: Successful completion of 60 semester or equivalent quarter units from an accredited college or university, including 18 units of coursework in any combination of the following: biology, zoology, wildlife management, wildlife ecology, animal behavior, or a closely related field.
Experience: One year paid or unpaid experience caring for zoo animals and/or exotic species in a zoo or similar setting.
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience caring for zoo animals and/or exotic species in a zoo or similar setting may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
Note: Unpaid hours such as those obtained through volunteerism or internships will be accepted only if: 1) the experience is documented on letterhead from the organization where it was obtained; and 2) the documentation includes dates, number of hours worked and duties performed (2,080 hours is equivalent to one year full-time experience).
AND
Special requirements: 1) Upon job offer, incumbents must successfully pass a tuberculosis test and maintain a negative tuberculosis test for duration of employment; 2) receive inoculation for rabies within six months of employment. Certifications: 1) Obtain First Aid/CPR certificate within six month of employment; and 2) obtain firearm safety training certificate within six months of employment.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
Basic principles of biology and zoology, including animal identification and natural history, taxonomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition; animal enrichment practices; principles of ecology and population management; basic husbandry principles, including safe food handling and storage and pest control; knowledge of research methods; zoo animal preventative medicine principles and practices; general veterinary terminology and equipment; symptoms of animal illness; basic first aid; basic sanitation, tools and practices; kinds and uses of basic cleaning materials and equipment; exhibit and grounds maintenance and repairs; zoo practices and procedures; safety procedures, including accident prevention and response; hazards of working with wild animals, including restraint practices; basic computer and modern office automation technology, including pertinent software.
Identify changes in animal behavior or physical condition; follow oral and written directions; interpret and apply zoo regulations and procedures; physically handle and/or restrain wild animals, including safe use of darting equipment or firearm; work safely and effectively with wild, delicate and potentially dangerous animals; perform basic mathematical calculations and make accurate measurements; operate a variety of related tools and machinery for exhibits and/or maintenance; operate variety of motorized vehicles; operate computers and related software; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers and the public.
Mobility – Operation of a data entry device, constant walking and standing for long periods, pushing/pulling, bending, squatting, crawling, driving; Lifting – Frequently 5-50 pounds; Vision – Good overall vision, color perception, depth perception; reading and close-up work; normal hand and eye coordination; good field of vision/peripheral; Dexterity – Normal dexterity and repetitive motion; Hearing/Talking – Frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; Special Requirements – Working weekends and holidays; may require overtime evening work; Emotional/Psychological – Frequent public contact and decision making; frequent concentration required; occasional exposure to dangerous situations, including trauma, grief and death; working alone; Environmental – Frequent exposure to noise, cold/heat, hazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, and varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org).
Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021.
Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.
Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.
Vision Insurance: The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.
For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Employee Benefits.
Life Insurance: The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:
1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000
3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000
5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000
10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000
Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.
125 Flexible Benefits Plan: This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).
Retirement Plan: Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.
Deferred Compensation: The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.
Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.
Holidays: Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year. Please see the appopriate MOU for details regarding holidays, accruals, use, and cashability of accrued time.
Sick Leave: 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive: An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.
Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of qualifying family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.
Merit Salary Increase: New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.
Educational Reimbursement Program: Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.
Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.
School Activities: Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:
- Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
- Oral Exam: The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise. The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview. A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list. Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews. If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
- Written & Oral Exam: If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
- Rate-out: A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process.
Note: The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.
Testing Accommodation: Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.
Veteran’s Points: Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service. Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration. Note: A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.
Acceptable wartime service dates:
September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946
June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
Eligible Lists: Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.
Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.
- Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews. The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
- Rule of Five: The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews. This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.
- Rule of the List: For classifications designated by the Director of Human Resources, the entire eligible list will be referred to the department.
Physical Exam: Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.
Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam: Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.
Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;
Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.
Proof of Eligibility: If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.
Apply Online:
www.sjgov.org/department/hr
By mail or in person:
San Joaquin County Human Resources
44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330
Stockton, CA 95202
Office hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.
Phone: (209) 468-3370
Job Line:
For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377.
When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).
San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.
Equal Opportunity Employer: San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.
