Under general supervision, enforces applicable County ordinances and State laws governing care, control, licensing, impoundment, and euthanasia of animals; and performs related work as required.
This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill a current full-time vacancy in Washoe County Regional Animal Services. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/Careers/jobspecs.php
One year as an Animal Services Assistant; OR two years of full-time experience in the care and handling of animals in a professional work environment, including interviewing the public, assessing, and evaluating information for appropriate course of action; OR two years of full-time experience in enforcement of local, state, or federal codes/laws; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience. Four years of full-time active duty in the military may be substituted for required law enforcement experience.
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 License Or Certificate
- A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid certification as a euthanasia technician is required within one year of appointment.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid pharmacy certificate is required within one year of appointment.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
- Knowledge of a variety of animal species, breeds, and related behaviors.
- Knowledge of animal handling, care, and treatment from experience in a professional work environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to public services, and value exceptional customer service.
- Ability to assimilate quickly into the organizational climate.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
- Outstanding multi-tasking and organizational skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to be collaborative, hard-working and detail oriented while still able to see the big picture.
- Demonstrated the ability to take ownership of problems to find solutions; share resources, information and knowledge; and will encourage commitment to the County's mission and organizational goals.
- Effective interpersonal skills with internal and external customers to include County staff and general public.
- Ability to be self-motivated and responsive.
- Ability to effectively train/teach new staff members.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Non-Supervisory covers the Animal Services Officer position.
Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
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Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation. Effective January 1, 2025, the $39.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.
Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.
Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Â Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.Â
All Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) employees are considered disaster services employees when ordered to assist during a disaster.Â
This position requires animal handling during times of disaster and emergencies. As a result, we strongly advise the human prophylactic rabies vaccination. Â The fee of the test will be borne by WCRAS.
Successful completion of training in use of a baton are required prior to completion of probationary period.
Successful completion of qualification for the use of shotguns is required prior to completion of probationary period.
Must be willing to work on-call shifts, irregular hours, weekends, holidays, and evenings.
All mandated licensures and certifications must be obtained within required timeframe and maintained for continued employment.
- After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications.
- Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will receive an email invitation to take the Professional Level online exam administered remotely; notices will be delivered within 1 week from the closing of the recruitment.Â
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This exam link will tentatively be delivered via email the week of January 20, 2025, and qualified candidates will have a time limit to complete the exam, within 4 calendar days. You will be notified if you are eligible to transfer an exam score within 1 week following the closing date of the recruitment.
The exam will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:
- Reading ComprehensionÂ
- Written CommunicationÂ
- Analytical Ability
- Business Math
- Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills
Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates.  Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived, and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived.  Only those candidates who took the exam or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.
- After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank. This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy.
- Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates. If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available.
- Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and click on "Applications" to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment. Â In addition, you can also click on "Inbox" to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment. If you have any updates to your contact information after your application is submitted, please contact careers@washoecounty.gov.
If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process, you can find additional information at the following link: https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/faq/online/appprocess.php
Questions: Alma Parel
aparel@washoecounty.gov
775.328.2090
Veteran Point
Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission.
Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.
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Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.Â
