Animal Control Officer - I

The Department of Health and Human Services – Animal Services is currently hiring for extra help/temporary assignments in the position of Animal Control Officer I. Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to 1000 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits.

Appointments made from this eligible list may be eligible for transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise, with the approval of the County Executive Officer.

The eligible list created by this recruitment may be used in the future to fill additional extra help and permanent positions.

Please note: Applicants are encouraged to review the Minimum Qualifications section of this job posting prior to completing an application. Applicants should note that this position requires 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, Module A, Firearms Training, or P.O.S.T. equivalent training course as described in the minimum qualifications section of this posting. Applicants are encouraged to upload a copy of the P.O.S.T. certificate when submitting the application. Information regarding P.O.S.T. certification can be accessed by clicking HERE or typing   www.post.ca.gov/certificates.aspx   into your web browser address bar.

 

 

To provide public protection in regards to rabid animals and suspected rabid animals; to explain and enforce laws and ordinances pertaining to the treatment and control of large and small animals; to feed and care for injured and impounded animals; to respond to animal emergencies; and to educate the public on animal care.

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 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.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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, side arms 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; select most marketable animals and 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.
• 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.

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, Module A, 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 mathematics.
• English language skills.

Ability to:

• Learn to care for and control animals in a safe manner, including livestock, so as to avoid injury to persons and animals.
• 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; and explain animal control related laws to public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in vehicle; walk and stand during field activities; bend, squat, kneel or twist while working in field or kennel operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; and lift very heavy weight.
• 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 small 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.
• Work effectively in stressful situations, exercise good judgment; exercise good judgment and 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.
• 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.
  

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit