Veterinary Assistant - Animal Care Specialist I
Salary
$18.40 - $27.60 Hourly
Location
Bradenton, FL
Job Type
Full-Time (Hourly)
Job Number
26-00231
Department
Community & Veterans Services
Division
Animal Control Shelter Ops
Opening Date
04/23/2026
Closing Date
5/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Information
Work Location: Manatee County Animal Welfare Bishop 5718 21st Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
Work Hours: There are not exact dates but it will be 4 x10 hour shifts, with some holiday and weekend coverage
Expected Starting Hourly Range: $18.40 - $23.00
Plays a direct role in achieving Manatee County's no-kill mission and goal by providing hands-on care for animals in the shelter, working with internal departments to find those animals homes wherever possible, and serving as ambassadors for county residents, volunteers, and adopters who visit the shelter. Contributes to the health, wellbeing, and general care of dogs and cats. Plays a unique role as the direct day-to-day connector between the animals in our care and our residents.
Working Conditions
Primarily animal shelter or outdoor field environment. Regularly performs moderately strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions, including rain, extreme heat and humidity, and long exposure to sunlight. Daily exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. High noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Periodically required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Periodic high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Regularly required to work other than normal business hours including nights, holidays, and weekends.
Job Description
Area of Assignment: Veterinary Assistant
The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the veterinary care provided to animals within the shelter environment. Working closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians and shelter staff, the Veterinary Assistant ensures the well-being and health of animals under the shelters care. The role involves conducting daily health checks on incoming animals and closely monitoring their health and behavior while in the shelter. It includes identifying and reporting signs of illness or distress to the veterinary team and assisting veterinarians and veterinary technicians during medical procedures, surgeries and examinations. Responsibilities also include preparing surgical suite, handling and restraining animals safely, administering medications, and maintaining accurate health records. The position requires administering vaccinations, tracking vaccination schedules, providing post-surgery care, and other duties related to the medical department. Ensuring cleanliness and sanitation of animal areas and collaborating with shelter staff to enhance the animals well-being and adoptability are also essential duties.
Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Assists with all aspects of the adoption process. Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.
Positively interacts with volunteers and promotes a team environment.
Greets visitors to the shelter, answers questions, and assists visitors with their needs.
Delivers excellent, non-judgmental customer service to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and transfer partners in a friendly, informative and professional manner.
Provides basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines, including feeding, watering, and light grooming.
Supports animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required records.
Provides socialization, enrichment, and exercise for animals as directed. These activities include but are not limited to dog walking, training and playgroup.
Identifies behavioral issues and shares observations with team members and leaders. Follows behavior or training plans developed for specific animals.
Assist Foster Coordinator with foster appointments, supplies, return surveys and inputting information to the database.
Cleans work areas and preserves physical appearance of buildings and grounds, including scooping, raking, sweeping, mopping, and trash removal. Notes maintenance or repairs needed and reports per protocol.
Follows policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Strictly adheres to established safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, and the general public.
Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor; this includes but is not limited to Defensive Dog Handling and Dogs Playing for Life.
Support Front Desk function processing adoptions, licenses, money handling and provide good customer service.
Respond to customer service in box and provide information about services provided by the facility.
Take lost & found reports and follow-up when a match has been found.
Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee's qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law. including work in the Emergency Operations Center and pet friendly shelters.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
Six (6) months work of veterinary experience with an animal shelter or similar organization required for Intake Coordinator and Vet Assistant positions.
More
Previous customer service experience desired.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong desire to work with animals.
Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete tasks within assigned timeframes. Able to resolve routine situations and problems.
Basic knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
Basic knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.
Basic knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.
Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, adopters, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Able to engage professionally during challenging conversations and accurately educate the public.
Capable of working under close supervision.
Veterans Preference
In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation with their application. We are committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
EEO/ADA Statement
Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 941-748-4501 x 3865.
Drug-Free Workplace
Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.
Emergency Response/Recovery Activities
All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
Full Time Positions
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
Wellbeing Benefits:
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Paid Time Off:
Vacation Award: Applies to employees regulary sceduled to work 8 hours per day/40 hours per week.
Years of Service Vacation Days
0-5 16.25 days
6-10 19.50 days
11+ 22.75 days
Insurance:
Retirement:
Career Wellness:
Education Benefits:
Flexible Spending Account:
Permanent Part Time - Benefits
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Paid Time Off:
per pay-period basis, any work schedule less that this will be earned on
a pro-rated basis
01
VERY IMPORTANT - When answering supplemental questions about experience, education or certification, please be sure the information is reflected in the Education, Work Experience and Certificates and Licenses sections of your application.
Must include Monthly Salary, Name of Employer, Location, Phone Number and Duties for each employer in Work Experience.
Note: "See Resume" is not acceptable.
Identify all gaps not related to medical reasons.
02
If you are claiming Veterans Preference, please check category of eligibility
03
Which level of education have you achieved?
04
How many years of veterinary experience working with an animal shelter or similar organization?
05
What previous roles have you held that you believe qualify you for this position?
Required Question
Employer Manatee County Government
Address 5213 4th Ave Cir E
Bradenton, Florida, 34208
Phone (941) 748-4501 ext. 3865
(941) 742-5627
Website https://www.mymanatee.org