Placer County

Animal Control Officer - Supervising - Senior (#13312)

$31.19-$38.95 Hourly / $5,406.27-$6,751.33 Monthly / $64,875.20-$81,016.00 Yearly


DEFINITION

To plan, organize, direct and supervise county-wide animal control operations; to assist in the administration of the County's animal control activities including kennel and field services; and to act as a resource and liaison between community groups, private agencies and other governmental jurisdictions for Placer County Animal Control.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Supervising Animal Control Officer classification not only performs second-line supervisory duties but also performs a variety of administrative functions in support of the County's animal control program.  This senior supervisory level is distinguished from the Supervisory Animal Control Officer classification in that the former is responsible for county-wide animal control operations and is responsible for performing significant administrative and operational functions on a divisional level.  This single position job class acts as the primary resource to managements, staff, other county departments and work units, community organizations and the general public regarding the technical and operations processes and procedures of animal control.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from Animal Services Manager and/or other management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned supervisory, technical and clerical personnel.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Assist in the day-to-day supervision of operational and programmatic activities within the County's animal control program.
  • Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff involved in the sale of animal licenses, collection of fees, prosecution of violations of animal control ordinances and laws and the impounding, releasing, sale and/or destruction of stray or dangerous animals.
  • Act as a primary resource and liaison regarding the technical and operational functions of the County's animal control operations, programs and facilities; represent the County's animal control division on inter-agency task forces, special projects, and other community outreach activities as assigned.
  • Recommend and implement goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for animal control activities including field and kennel operations; implement policies and procedures.
  • Evaluate operations and activities of assigned programmatic, administrative and operational responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
  • Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for assigned personnel and equipment; monitor and control expenditures; prepare and maintain the program's equipment inventory.
  • In absence of the Animal Services Manager assumes lead role for shelter, field and office staff.
  • Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
  • Direct the operations of the County's primary animal shelter including feeding, kenneling and the general handling of large and small animals; work to market efforts to encourage redemptions and adoptions of animals.
  • Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups and animal related organizations when joint action is required.
  • Supervise and review the recording of all citations issued; assist staff in the investigation and preparation of formal complaints for court action against violators of ordinances and laws; prepare case files; assemble necessary documentation; submit and discuss cases with the Animal Services Manager and staff of the District Attorney's Office as appropriate.
  • Set up maintenance schedules for tranquilizer guns, rifles, shotguns and any other weapons required in the performance of animal control duties to ensure that they are kept in safe operating condition.
  • Investigate complaints of potential violations to achieve compliance with pertinent State laws and local ordinances.
  • Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Supervise, monitor and train staff in such technical functions as the practice of euthanasia, enforcement of quarantine procedures, and the handling and impounding of large and small domestic and wild animals in order to assure public safety and animal welfare.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience in caring for, licensing, impounding and disposing of animals in a public animal control program, including two years of performing supervisory functions.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college course work in business administration, management, animal science or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  • Possession of a certificate showing successful completion of the P.O.S.T. training requirements for Penal Code 832 Arrest and Firearms Training.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of animal control, care and custody.
  • Equipment, tools and materials used in animal control, including feeding, kenneling and general handling of large and small animals.
  • Causes, symptoms and safe handling of rabid and diseased animals; legal regulations, reports and procedures for handling rabies.
  • Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
  • Principles of budget monitoring and inventory control.
  • Principles and practices of safety management and public health practices.
  • Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
  • Legal liabilities and responsibilities of those concerned with the enforcement of animal control regulations and laws.
  • Use and care for firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools.
  • Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory; use and care of firearms, chemical agents, baton and other related law enforcement paraphernalia.
  • Various breeds of animals and their care and feeding.
  • Standard and accepted practices of documentation, recordkeeping and reporting for compliance with pertinent state and local guidelines and regulations.

Ability to:

  • Organize, implement and direct animal control operations and activities.
  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk or in vehicle for long periods of time; walk and stand during field activities; bend, squat, kneel or twist while working in the field or kennel operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation.  Intermittently, twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and occasionally lift very heavy weight.
  • Use chemical restraints, tranquilizers and traps; oversee euthanasia of animals with weapons or chemical immobilizers in a safe and humane manner.
  • Operate an emergency vehicle which includes skid training, high speed pursuit, defensive driving, and emergency driving; complete firearm training in order to learn good judgment and competency in the use of deadly force, ancillary police weaponry, and weaponless defense.
  • Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and recommend most effective course of action.
  • Interpret and explain pertinent County and department policies and procedures.
  • Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
  • Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
  • Resolve confrontations in a sensitive manner; exercise tact and good judgment.
  • Gather evidence; prepare a case for court; testify in court.
  • Care for and safely handle animals, both large and small, including livestock.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Work shifts, standby, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

CLASS: 13312; EST: 6/1/1997; REV: 4/10/2017;