Introduction

This position is represented by the SEIU bargaining unit and will receive salary increases based on the following schedule:

Effective July 2025 - 3% Cost of Living Adjustment increase

This recruitment is being conducted to fill vacancies in the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and to establish an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies.

Pre-Employment Physical, Drug Screen and Background: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible candidate has passed the drug screen, physical and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen and physical.

Please Note The Following Special Requirements

Must be immunized against rabies upon employment and maintain immunity for duration of employment.
Must successfully complete a regular course in powers of arrest and use of firearms (PC 832) approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training prior to completion of probation. Must demonstrate proficiency in use of firearms, tranquilizing equipment, euthanasia equipment, and complete an internal training program prior to completion of probation.

The Following Incentives And Bonuses May Be Available For Eligible New Hires. Incentives And Bonuses Are Subject To Approval By Human Resources

Vacation Accrual Rate : San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years of public service.
Sick Leave : Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin County's minimum sick leave cash out provisions.
New Hire Retention Bonus :

$2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours)

$1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours)

$3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours)

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Drives a dispatched vehicle equipped with a Mobile Dispatched Computer (MDC) to patrol assigned areas and enforce animal services ordinances and laws; responds to calls and investigates and evaluates complaints concerning vicious, diseased, trapped, injured, abused, or stray animals.
Locates, apprehends and impounds stray, sick, abandoned, diseased and dangerous dogs, small animals, poultry, livestock and large animals; investigates cases of livestock depredation and captures or destroys marauding wildlife.
Learns to use specialized equipment and techniques to handle down, injured, or sick large animals.
Develops and maintains positive relations with the public to resolve issues, gain compliance, and build trust; explains and enforces state and local laws and ordinances relating to the care, treatment, quarantine or impounding of animals; issues warning notices and citations for violations of laws and ordinances regulating licensing and control of dogs.
Operates a shotgun, dart projector, syringe pole, trap, net, taser or other issued equipment to capture or destroy animals for humane reasons; performs animal euthanasia by injection or gunshot for humane reasons; locates and removes dead animals of all sizes when owner is not known.
Ensures that dogs have been properly licensed and vaccinated by checking license tags and owner’s verification; issues licenses and deposits funds; conducts residential canvasses for unlicensed dogs and does follow up work on delinquent licenses.
Investigates cases of animal bites or possible rabies exposure; quarantines animals; transports potentially infected dead animals to lab for examination; enforces rabies control measures.
Learns skills needed to investigate animal-related crimes, including interviewing victims, witnesses, and subjects; collecting and booking of evidence; writing and executing warrants; utilizing specialized investigative techniques; may make arrests related to violation of certain animal laws; preparing criminal cases for desired prosecution.
Works with other agencies, such as the Department of Fish and Game, Highway Patrol, and other local law enforcement agencies, enforcing state and local animal control laws and regulations.
May testify at hearings and in trials; may represent the Sheriff’s Department at educational venues and public/private events.
Prepares various forms as a record of daily activities; prepares detailed written reports of activities and investigations; cleans and inspects equipment; may perform support office functions as needed.
Attends and completes related trainings as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of a G.E.D. test.

License: Possession of a valid California Driver’s license.

Special Requirement: Must be able to pass and maintain a Sheriff’s Department Background clearance. Must be immunized against rabies upon employment and maintain immunity for duration of employment. Must successfully complete a regular course in powers of arrest and use of firearms (PC 832) approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training prior to completion of probation. Must demonstrate proficiency in use of firearms, tranquilizing equipment, euthanasia equipment, and complete an internal training program prior to completion of probation.

Note: Supplemental application must be submitted with employment application.

KNOWLEDGE

Principles and practices of humane apprehension and care of animals; principles and practices of customer service and public relations; physical and behavioral characteristics of common breeds of domestic animals; safe work practices.

ABILITY

Interpret and apply laws and regulations; learn and apply applicable laws and ordinances; evaluate and establish priorities; learn specialized techniques and equipment used to capture and dispose of a variety of animals; learn crime scene preservation and evidence handling techniques; maintain records and prepare reports; learn investigative principles and techniques; follow oral and written procedures and directions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, even in difficult situations; communicate effectively with others; write clearly and legibly.

Physical/Mental Requirements

Mobility - frequent walking on uneven terrain, regular standing, running, chasing, bending and squatting; sitting for long periods; occasional pushing, pulling, climbing; Dexterity - sufficient to operate firearms; handle individual papers; write and take notes; Lifting/Pushing/Pulling - frequently lifting of 25-75 pounds; occasional lifting of more than 75 pounds; Visual Requirements - ability to read files and documents and use computer screens; constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; occasional aiming firearm; Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone and radio, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological - frequent public contact and decision making, Special Requirements - Requires ability to drive county vehicles including specialized trucks; requires working on call, weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental - regular exposure to varied weather conditions.

Benefits

Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021 .

Health Insurance : San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.

Dental Insurance : The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

Vision Insurance : The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Employee Benefits.

Life Insurance : The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:

1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000

3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000

5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000

10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000

Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.

125 Flexible Benefits Plan : This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).

Retirement Plan : Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

Deferred Compensation : The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $18,000 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $24,000.The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

Vacation : Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

Holidays : Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year. Please see the appopriate MOU for details regarding holidays, accruals, use, and cashability of accrued time.

Sick Leave : 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive : An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

Bereavement Leave : 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

Merit Salary Increase : New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

Job Sharing : Employees may agree to job-share a position, subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources.

Educational Reimbursement Program : Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

School Activities : Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

Selection Procedures

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Oral Exam: The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise. The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview. A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list. Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews. If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Written & Oral Exam: If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Rate-out: A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process.

Note: The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Online Written Exams: Written exams may be administered online. Candidates will be notified of the examination date and will be responsible to complete the written exam within a given period of time (typically within five calendar days). Candidates are required to read the Online Exam Guide for Test Takers prior to taking an online written exam.

The link to the guide is here: Online Exam Guide For Test Takers

Please Note

Online exams must be completed in one sitting and can only be taken once
Candidates will have access to an online exam within the allotted time only
A steady internet connection is highly recommended
The allotted time will still continue if a candidate closes the window or gets disconnected
Once the allotted time expires, access to the exam will be unavailable

Microsoft is no longer supporting Internet Explorer. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates do not use Internet Explorer to complete online written exams.

Candidates that do not have access to a computer can contact the Human Resources office at (209)468-3370 for information on accommodations.

Testing Accommodation: Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.

Veteran’s Points: Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service. Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration. Note: A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

Acceptable Wartime Service Dates

September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946
June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Eligible Lists: Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews. The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
Rule of Five: The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews. This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

Physical Exam: Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam: Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

They are related to the Appointing Authority or
The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility: If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

How To Apply

Apply Online:

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By Mail Or In Person

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone: (209) 468-3370

Job Line

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377.

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer : San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo .

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. View and print the official application form as an Acrobat pdf file. A San Joaquin County application form is required for this recruitment. You may print this Acrobat PDF document and then fill it in. Contact us via conventional means. You may contact us by phone at (209) 468-3370, or by email, or apply for a job in person at the San Joaquin County Human Resources Division.

Closing Date/Time: 2/7/2025 11:59:00 PM

County of San Joaquin

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