Entry Level Kennel Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $34,516.56 Annually
Location : 2020 Forest Street, Jacksonville, FL
Job Type: Civil Service
Job Number: 2025-06708
Department: OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Opening Date: 05/12/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Description
Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!
Animal Care and Protective Services is actively seeking a Veterinary Technician Assistant.
Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.
This is entry-level technical work in the maintenance of kennel facilities to include: care and feeding of sheltered animals in the medical areas, performance of related clerical and customer support work, providing support to veterinarians and veterinary technician supervisor in routine medical, surgical, and/or necropsy procedures. Work requires knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures used in the care of animals and maintenance of kennel facilities which involves the use of specialized skills which are acquired through a combination of training and considerable on the job experience. Contacts with others require skills in understanding and influencing people, which are important as it relates to animal care issues. Skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to others point of view are often required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around. Work schedule involves some weekend, holidays, and rotating shifts. Work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by procedures or precedents, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate method, technique, or procedure to follow. Work is performed in field, kennel, and office environments, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of ill and infectious animals, and exposure to offensive odors, chemicals, and other airborne nuisances but the hazards are known, somewhat predictable and mostly controllable. Operates laboratory and standard office equipment such as personal computer, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, animal restraint equipment and cash register. Operates a motor vehicle. The physical demands consist mainly of standing, walking, transporting animals, and lifting animals and/or objects weighing more than 50 pounds. Work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied and, although subject to standard practices and procedures, the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to supervisor's approval.
Examples of Work

• Administers basic medical treatments under the direction of a veterinarian
• Takes vital signs of animals.
• Cleans and disinfects different areas of the shelter to ensure the health and well-being of the animal population.
• Feeds and cares for critical animals in the medical areas.
• Retrieves, restrains, and assist with medical examinations of animals.
• Utilizes and maintains laboratory equipment.
• Prepares, maintains, and retrieves records, reports and detailed and accurate medical histories of animals housed at facility using a personal computer.
• Performs euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Provides customer assistance and information concerning animals and adoption policies.
• Draws blood, prepares, and handles lab specimens and performs routine lab tests.
• Reports to work location during emergency circumstances such as actual and anticipated natural and man-made disasters.
• Operates laboratory and standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, animal restraint equipment and cash register.
• Operates a motor vehicle.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures used in the care of animals and maintenance of kennel facilities
• Knowledge of medical terminology, abbreviations, and orders.
• Knowledge of the drug names, classes, and general uses.
• Knowledge of euthanasia practices and procedures.
• Skill in the use of animal care equipment and materials.
• Ability to draw blood, take temperature and other vitals in a low stress manner.
• Ability to administer medication orally, intravenously, subcutaneously.
• Ability to perform euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and follow written and verbal instructions in English.
• Ability to make careful visual observations including clinical signs of illness, behavior concerns, age, and spay/neuter status of animals.
• Ability to collect and record technical data relating to animal care using a personal computer.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations, including whole numbers and decimals.
• Ability to safely and humanely lift, handle, or restrain animals, including injured, fractious, and non-socialized animals, weighing 50 pounds or more which may be of an unpredictable, potentially dangerous nature.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to operate laboratory and standard office equipment such as person computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, animal restraint equipment, and cash register.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Open Requirements/Supplemental Information
OPEN REQUIREMENTS:

• One year of education and/or technical experience in biology, animal husbandry, herd management, animal handling/care, veterinary technician, pre-med or pre-veterinary, medical, phlebotomy or laboratory technician experience.
• Successfully passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become certified as a Veterinary Technician may be substituted for six months of experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• The probation period for this class is six (6) months.
• This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville's Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).
• ACPS is part of the City of Jacksonville's emergency response operations. When pet friendly emergency shelters are open, all full-time employees are required to report and carry out duties as assigned for the duration of the emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained prior to completion of probation and must be maintained.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license during employment in this class.
• Must qualify for, obtain, and maintain a City of Jacksonville public driver certification for employment in this class.

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply at Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blackout, is required with your application. U.S. transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school's name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred. Transcripts outside the U.S. must be converted to U.S. standards.
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Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for post-secondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.
If claiming veteran's preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here:
If a candidate believes he or she was not afforded the veteran's preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
Attention: Veterans' Preference Coordinator
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K
Largo, FL 33778-1630
Email:
The City of Jacksonville provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents; a 457(b) tax-deferred compensation plan to supplement your retirement, and a ROTH IRA plan. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes a health intervention program if qualified, lunch and learns, health fairs, and discounted gym memberships. Please visit the Employee Benefits website for details on all the plans we offer.
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Copying and pasting your resume or stating "see resume" does NOT fulfill the requirements of the question. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship from the City of Jacksonville either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

03
The budgeted annual salary for this position is $34,516.56 . This is not negotiable. If selected, would you be willing to accept this position at this salary? (Civil Service positions have a 5% increase after successfully completing probation.)

• Yes
• No

04
This position requires a rotating schedule. A portion of the schedule may involve working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Are you able to commit to this type of schedule?

• I am able to work this type of schedule.
• I am able to work evenings and weekends only.
• I am able to work Monday - Friday only.
• None of the above.

05
ACPS is part of the City of Jacksonville's emergency response operations. When pet friendly emergency shelters are open, all full-time employees are required to report and carry out duties as assigned for the duration of the emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice. Are you able to comply with this requirement?

• I will be able to work during an emergency.
• I have circumstances that would prohibit me from working during an emergency.
• None of the above.

06
Do you understand the physical demands consist mainly of sitting, standing, walking, transporting animals, and lifting and controlling animals and/or objects weighing 50 pounds or more?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you understand the work is performed in an animal shelter environment, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of vicious, ill, infectious, and rabid animals, and exposure to offensive odors, chemicals, and other airborne nuisances?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you understand that you will be required to safely and humanely lift, handle, or restrain animals, including injured, fractious and non-socialized animals, weighing 50 pounds or more which may be of an unpredictable, potentially dangerous nature?

• Yes, I am able to lift 50 pounds or more.
• I am able to lift up to 45 pounds.
• I am able to lift up to 30 pounds
• I am able to lift up to 20 pounds.
• None of the above.

09
If you have a degree, indicate which degree you have and include any major/minor. If basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript is required with your application.
10
Part-Time and volunteer work experience may be considered if an applicant has worked/volunteered 20 hours per week or more. The complete work history, including number of hours worked per week, must be included in your application if you would like this experience to be considered.

• I have read the above statement and understand what is required.<...