Placer County

To explain and enforce laws and ordinances pertaining to the humane treatment and control of animals; provide for and promote public safety in the prevention of rabies and other communicable diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans; conduct public education and outreach regarding the humane treatment of animals and animal control laws; and respond to animal related emergencies.

Animal Control Officer I 
This is the entry level class in the Animal Control Officer series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Animal Control Officer II 
This is the full journey level class within the Animal Control Officer series. This class is distinguished from the Animal Control Officer I by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Animal Control Officer in that the latter works in a lead or specialized capacity by overseeing additional animal services operations.

Animal Control Officer I
Receives immediate supervision from a Supervising Animal Control Officer and technical and functional supervision from an Animal Control Officer II and a Senior Animal Control Officer.

Animal Control Officer II
Receives general supervision from a Supervising Animal Control Officer and technical and functional supervision from a Senior Animal Control Officer.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over the Animal Control Officer I.

• Patrol a designated geographical area of the County and enforce animal regulations, laws, and ordinances; contact dog owners by house-to-house canvass to locate unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs; receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public and other agencies regarding stray, dangerous, unwanted, or improperly controlled animals; tactfully handle complaints, trying to remedy the problem; consult supervisors by radio in the handling of unusual and/or difficult situations.
• Issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence and appear in court as a witness, as necessary; carry out law enforcement procedures including warrants, arrests, search and seizures, issuing warnings, dangerous animal statements, and citations; work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required.
• Use tranquilizer guns, shotguns, rifles, and other related equipment to control or destroy dangerous and/or injured animals, as a last alternative.
• Answer emergency calls concerning persons bitten by animals; quarantine potentially rabid animals; check potentially rabid animals at intervals as directed and release animals from quarantine at the end of a safe time period, as directed; issue citations for violation of the quarantine.
• Assist in arranging for and setting up immunization clinics; may assist veterinarian with vaccinations and animal inspections.
• Administer first aid or minor treatments to animals; pick up and transport sick, injured, or dead animals; impound animals and release impounded animals to owners; may segregate, isolate, destroy, and dispose of animals.
• Perform euthanasia procedures to ensure safe and humane treatment, perform chemical restraint procedures as necessary.
• Prepare food and feed animals; clean kennels and related areas; may participate in front office and kennel operations.
• Assist the public in claiming impounded animals; assist customers in pet selection; answer questions concerning age, breed, characteristics, care, and treatment of animals; advise public of legal rights; explain and interpret animal control laws, regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Interact with the public in a professional and knowledgeable manner to maintain public confidence and safety; speak at schools and to other community groups concerning animal control services.
• Assist public with obtaining licensing information by directing them to online resources; sell licenses and turn in collected fees.
• Prepare reports, keep records, and fill out forms concerning animal control violations and transactions.
• May assist with the training of new Animal Control staff.
• Operate and perform minor maintenance on all equipment used in the field and the kennels including  vehicles, weapons, traps, catch-poles, and cages.
• Clean and disinfect shelter facilities, vehicles, and equipment as necessary.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Animal Control Officer I

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: No experience is required.  Experience in the care and handling of domestic, farm and/or ranch animals is preferred.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a certificate showing successful completion of a P.O.S.T. Basic course, the P.O.S.T. training requirements for Penal Code 832 Arrest and Firearms Training or P.O.S.T. equivalent training course within twelve months of employment.
• 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.

Animal Control Officer II

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: One (1) year of experience performing duties similar to an Animal Control Officer I in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a certificate showing successful completion of P.O.S.T. Basic course, the P.O.S.T. training requirements for Penal Code 832 Arrest and Firearms Training or P.O.S.T. equivalent training course.
• 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.
  
  
  

Animal Control Officer I

Knowledge of:

• Feeding and care of animals.
• Basic mathematical calculations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of animal control operations; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; continuously observe for animal violations; problem solve field situations; understand, recall, interpret, and explain animal control policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; handle multiple tasks at once and work with frequent interruptions; and maintain awareness of safety at all times. 
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in vehicle; walk and stand during field activities; bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, balance, climb, or twist while working in field or kennel operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; speak, use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to examine an assess animals and safety conditions; lift very heavy weight.
• Learn to care for and control animals in a safe manner, including livestock, to avoid injury to persons and animals.
• Learn the provisions of state and County laws and regulations relating to animal control and licensing; assist other Animal Control Officers in their enforcement activities.
• Learn to recognize symptoms of rabies and animal diseases; learn the techniques involved in restraining and isolating animals suspected of having bitten individuals or of having rabies.
• Learn the methods involved in feeding and caring for impounded animals.
• Learn to safely operate firearms.
• Properly measure drugs into hypodermic syringes for chemical restraint and euthanasia; perform euthanasia in the most humane manner possible.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Exercise tact and good judgement; work effectively in stressful situations; make sound decisions under a variety of conditions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Read and comprehend the laws and regulations pertaining to animal control.
• Use modern office equipment and computers.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records and forms.
• Work shifts, standby, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  

Animal Control Officer II

In addition to the minimum qualifications for an Animal Control Officer I:

Knowledge of:

• Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane, and efficient handling of animals.
• Provisions of state and County laws and regulations relating to animal control, treatment, impounding, and licensing.
• Investigative procedures and processes.
• Symptoms of common animal diseases.
• Common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care, handling, and feeding.

Ability to:

• Handle animals humanely and safely, including livestock.
• Read, comprehend, and apply laws and regulations pertaining to animal control.
• Present evidence and testify in court cases.
• Perform euthanasia of an animal with a weapon or chemical immobilizer in a safe and humane manner.
• Discharge firearms safely and accurately.
• Recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases.
• Keep statistical records.
• Obtain information through interview and interrogation; deal fairly and courteously with the public.