Agenda

Return

C. 21

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Beth Ward, Animal Services Director
Date:	May 24, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Add one Veterinary Assistant and one Animal Center Technician; cancel two Animal Services Utility Workers

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/24/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Delaina Gillaspy, 925-608-8413
cc:	sylvia wong tam

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 24, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 25933 to cancel two (2) Animal Services Utility Worker (BJWE) (represented) vacant positions #15917 and 12297 at salary plan and grade QA5 0840 ($3,112 - $3,782); and add one (1) Veterinary Assistant (BKRA) (represented) position at salary plan grade QA 1063 ($3,881- $4,717), and one (1) Animal Center Technician (BJWC) (represented) position at salary plan grade QA 1041 ($3,797-$4,615) in the Animal Services Department.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total annual cost of this action is approximately $37,000. It will be funded by the General Fund.

BACKGROUND:

Historically, the Animal Services Utility Worker position has been used to provide basic husbandry care to shelter animals and pick up deceased animals in the field. However, in an effort to provide the most effective services to the community, the Department will now have the Animal Services Utility Worker position focus solely on transporting animals and picking up deceased animals in the field. After review of all tasks, the Department concluded having higher skilled positions in the husbandry unit would allow for greater consistency of care for sheltered animals, and increase the retention of employees.

The two higher skilled positions that would replace this classification are the Veterinary Assistant and Animal Center Technician classifications. The Veterinary Assistant classification is an essential position to the department as it assists the Department’s Registered Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians with medical procedures and veterinary services. The duties of the Veterinary Assistants are essential in maintaining the production of the Spay Neuter Clinic and overall shelter animal welfare. The Animal Center Technician position is critical to the Department's shelter operations. Animal Center Technicians clean kennel areas and feed sheltered animals, as well as evaluate and perform euthanasia on animals that are a danger to the public. Adding the skill sets of both these positions to the husbandry unit would help provide adequate services, as well as add more consistency in the care of the sheltered animals. It would also minimize the workload for the Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarian, so they can focus on more urgent and emergency services.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If unapproved, the Animal Services Department will be unable to effectively staff operations and provide appropriate care for animals.