Animal Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $43,846.40 - $61,734.40 Annually
Location : ANIMAL SHELTER 14041 Elsworth Street, Moreno Valley, CA
Job Type: Full-time Career
Job Number: 2026-00009
Department: Community Development Department
Division: Animal Services
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/3/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Description
Apply to be the next Animal Services Assistant!
The City of Moreno Valley is searching for our next best hire who is paw-sitive and paw-ssionate towards animals!
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will close at 5:00 (PST) on Thursday, September 3, 2026
The role offers a 9/80 work schedule, working Tuesday through Saturday with every other Saturday off.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Animal Services Assistant is a front-line member of the Animal Services team, providing helpful, compassionate service to residents while supporting the division's day-to-day operations. In this role, you'll greet and assist the public in person and by phone, respond to animal services questions and requests, maintain accurate records, process animal-related transactions, and perform a variety of clerical and administrative duties. You may also assist with handling animals when needed, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys combining customer service, organization, technology, and animal care. This is an entry-level position with an important community-facing role. The successful candidate will be comfortable balancing multiple priorities, communicating with people in sensitive situations, and learning and applying animal services laws, policies, and procedures.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Click to access the complete classification description, including the experience, education, and physical and mental requirements for this job.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal Animal Services Assistant is a compassionate, organized customer service professional who serves as the first point of contact for the public and embodies a strong commitment to helping both people and animals. This role thrives on clear communication, enabling you to explain policies, procedures, and regulations in a simple, helpful way. Attention to detail and organization are crucial as you maintain records, databases, and financial transactions while navigating a busy, public-facing environment. Your comfort with technology, including word processing and spreadsheets, enhances efficiency as you tackle multiple tasks and manage interruptions. Handling sensitive situations with tact and discretion is essential, as is a willingness to learn about animal services operations and regulations. Additionally, you should be comfortable with humane animal handling when required. Working collaboratively as part of a team, you build positive relationships with coworkers, management, and community members, all while taking ownership of your work and exercising sound judgment in alignment with established policies and procedures.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent, and of one year of office administrative or clerical experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. An incumbent must be willing to handle animals in the course of employment.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Current, valid PC832 certification or the ability to obtain certification within six months of employment.
WHO WE ARE
The City of Moreno Valley prides itself on delivering quality service to our residents and businesses efficiently and effectively through Collaboration, Innovation, Customer Service, and Human-Centric Design. Strategically located in Southern California's Inland Empire, Moreno Valley is the second-largest city in Riverside County and is close to major hubs such as Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. This spacious, thriving, and diverse City has a population of over 200,000 residents and offers a variety of business opportunities. For additional information regarding the City, please click here.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications at each level, based on a screening of required application materials, including the completed Supplemental Questionnaire, will be invited to continue in the selection process. The City of Moreno Valley prioritizes and is committed to continuously providing a workplace where equal employment opportunity is afforded to all people.
Recruitment Process: Human Resources (HR) reviews all application materials to determine whether candidates meet the established minimum and preferred qualifications after the position closes. Those who qualify will be advanced to the next stage of the recruitment process. All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status.
Application Screening
Applications and supplemental materials will be reviewed to identify candidates whose qualifications best align with the position's essential requirements. Only those applicants who meet the criteria outlined in the job bulletin will advance to the next phase of the selection process.
Video Appraisal Interview
Applicants may complete a self-guided video interview by recording responses to a series of structured questions. These questions are designed to assess each candidate's qualifications and suitability for the position. There is no live interviewer or proctor; candidates will record their answers independently and submit the videos for evaluation.
Technical Interview:
Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a structured technical interview designed to evaluate job-related knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency in key competencies required for the position. Candidates will respond to a series of standardized questions, and their performance will be assessed using predetermined evaluation criteria to ensure a fair and consistent appraisal process.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Eligible List: Once the appraisal is complete, HR will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
DISCLAIMERS
The City of Moreno Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City of Moreno Valley prioritizes and is committed to continuously providing a workplace where equal employment opportunity is afforded to all people. As part of this commitment, the City of Moreno Valley will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the interview process, please contact Human Resources at hr@moval.org or (951) 413-3045.
BENEFITS: For an overview of the City of Moreno Valley's excellent benefit offerings, please click the following link: City of Moreno Valley Benefits Overview
SELECTION PROCESS: Following an administrative review of each application, only the most qualified applicants will be invited to an oral interview and/or testing. The successful candidate will be required to pass a medical examination, and to submit original documentation to establish both work authorization and identity (per the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986). Criminal background investigations will be conducted, and, in accordance with our Drug Free Workplace Policy, a Drug Screening Test will be required.
The City of Moreno Valley is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. For further information regarding this position, contact the Human Resources Department at (951) 413-3045.
The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
01
This supplemental questionnaire is used to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this position. Responses should be complete and specific, describing work you have actually performed, the level and purpose of the work performed and how often. To be considered for this position, the experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications. A response of "see resume" or "see application" for any of the supplemental questions will result in the questions not being scored. Please check Yes/No if you understand the above requirement.

• Yes
• No

02
Please Indicate the highest level of education you have completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some college coursework completed (less than 59 semester units or less than 89 quarter units)
• Associate's Degree (at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's Degree (at least 120 semester units or 180 quarter units)
• Master's Degree or higher

03
Do you possess experience working in a municipal and /or governmental environment?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please provide the name of the government agency where you gained your experience. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A)
05
Please indicate the amount of relevant office administrative or clerical experience you possess.

• None
• Less than one (1) years
• One (1) - two (2) years
• Three (3) - four (4) years
• Five (5) years or more

06
Please rate your level of proficiency in using Microsoft software.

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advance
• No Experience

07
Are you willing and able to handle dogs, cats, and other animals humanely and safely as required by the position?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you currently possess a valid PC832 certification, or are you willing and able to obtain PC832 certification within six months of employment?

• Yes, I currently possess a valid PC832 Certification
• Yes, I am willing to obtain a valid PC832 Certification within 6 months of employment
• No, I am not willing to obtain a valid PC832 Certification within 6 months of employment

09
Please briefly share what interests you about working in an Animal Services environment.
Required Question