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All eligible candidates will be contacted by the department to invite them to participate in interviews.
Are you seeking a career with an organization dedicated to protecting the health, safety & welfare of people and animals?
SUPERVISING ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Join the Department of Animal Services and play an integral role in promoting and enforcing animal-related State and Local laws and ordinances, cultivating relationships with the residents of the County of San Diego and ensuring the department's mission to protect the health, safety and welfare of people and animals. Although a working supervisor, the position is primarily supervisory and administrative in nature. Supervising Animal Control Officers help manage shelter operations and staff & volunteers, offer guidance and interpret policy, codes and laws, uphold high quality animal care standards and respond to citizen concerns or complaints and handle complex investigations. Currently, county shelters are located in Bonita and Carlsbad. Â However, a new animal shelter is under construction and is expected to replace the Bonita location at the end of 2025.
Supervising Animal Control Officers are responsible for a variety of work tasks, to include, but not limited to; supervising & coordinating the daily activities of patrol and shelter staff; training and instructing new personnel; monitoring service call type and volume and deploying resources, as appropriate; interacting and educating members of the public, including conducting presentations; overseeing special work mandates (i.e. Dangerous Dog Task Force-DDTF); coordinating disaster operations; testifying in court on animal control related cases and representing the department amongst various media outlets.
This job opportunity is currently for permanent full-time positions.
Click here to review the complete job description including minimum qualifications, examples of duties, essential functions, etc.
For more information and a direct link to the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services click here.
Premiums
This classification will be assigned to work Standby Shifts on a rotating basis. Supervising Animal Control Officers are compensated two (2) hours of pay per Standby shift.
HIRING PROCESS AND TIMELINE
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The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.Â
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- Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.Â
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
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If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is an influencer, capable of forming harmonious relationships with staff, volunteers, members of the public and other community partners; has a strong background in managing and mentoring staff; actively pursues ways to incorporate a team approach; has proven work experience exercising sound, independent judgment resulting in positive outcomes; and manages stressful situations with tact and diplomacy; takes pride in encouraging positive conflict-resolution.
Desirable Traits
Our quality candidate is a high performer; demonstrates ethical behavior, supports change, encourages collaboration, seeks inventive solutions and can thrive in ambiguous work environments. Â Knowledge of best practices in an animal shelter, common diseases and medical conditions and veterinary protocols will also be very helpful. Potential candidates with the ability to learn quickly and retain information about practices, policies and procedures will adapt easily.
Minimum Qualifications
Must complete a certified Penal Code 832 course in arrest and firearms within 6 months of appointment. (NOTE: Any break from law enforcement duties greater than 3 years requires recertification within 6 months of appointment);
AND
- Â Two (2) years of experience as an Animal Control Officer with the County of San Diego; OR,Â
- Â Three (3) years of experience at the level of an Animal Control Officer or Humane Officer in a California public agency or humane society.
Please note:Â Must maintain firearms proficiency throughout appointment to use chemical capture equipment or energy conductive devices.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. Â This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.Â
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The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Â Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
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Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.Â
WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs. Subject to standby, callback and reassignment to any animal services region as needed.
A valid California Class C driver's license, which must be maintained throughout employment in this class, is required at time of appointment. Employees in this class may be required to use their own vehicle.Â
May be required to possess and maintain a valid California Class B driver's license to operate department vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
EVALUATION
Qualified candidates will be placed on a six (6) month list based on scores received during the evaluation contained on their employment and supplemental applications. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
ACCOMMODATION
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. Â
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The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov) as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a Framework for the Future that will create a County that works for all.
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
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Veteran's Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.
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 Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!
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The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
