Animal Control Officer - Supervising

The Department of Health and Human Services - Animal Services - is currently hiring for the permanent assignment of Animal Control Officer - Supervising.  This is a rewarding opportunity to support animal services in our community.

This recruitment is continuous and open until filled. 

The current vacancy is located in the Lake Tahoe area.

To plan, organize, direct and supervise animal control operations within a specific geographical area; to assist the Client Services Program Manager in the administration of animal control activities including kennel and field services; and to act as liaison between community groups, private agencies and other governmental jurisdictions for Placer County Animal Control.

The supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for a program area within a work unit or department.

Receives general direction from the Client Services Program Manager or other management personnel.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned technical and clerical personnel.

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

• Within a particular geographical area, plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff involved in animal control activities including prosecution of violations of animal control ordinances and laws and the impounding, releasing, sale and/or destruction of stray or dangerous animals.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for animal control activities; implement policies and procedures.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned 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.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• 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 Client Services Program 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.
• Supervise and train staff in the practice of euthanasia.
• Handle and impound large and small, domestic and wild animals in order to assure public safety and animal welfare.
• Investigate complaints of potential violations to achieve compliance with pertinent State laws and local ordinances.
• Supervise staff in the enforcement of quarantine procedures to protect public health.
• 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.
• May be required to provide supervision to animal shelter operations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

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: Three years of increasingly responsible experience with licensing, patrolling, kenneling or enforcement work in an animal care/protection or law enforcement agency, including at least one year experience performing duties similar to an Animal Control Officer II in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate:

• May require the possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California state driver's license.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• 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.
• Possession of or ability to obtain prior to completion of the probationary period, a certificate in euthanasia procedures.
   

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.
• Principles and practices of safety management.
• 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 department issued weapons 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.

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.
• Operation of an emergency vehicle which includes skid training, high speed pursuit, defensive driving, and emergency driving; 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.
• 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.

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