The Police Department is recruiting for one (1) full-time Animal Control Officer position.
This position is in the Police Department. This position is in the RPOA Bargaining Unit and subject to the terms and conditions of employment as specified in the RPOA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the City's Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual. Please review the job description below for employment requirements.
No paper applications will be accepted. The successful candidate will be required to undergo additional background clearance checks before the hiring process is complete.
For more information about applying for this position, you may contact Nataly Juarez at (559) 637-4200 ext 246.
E.O.E.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, to perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement and communication of animal control policies and procedures; to collect and transport live and dead animals; and to patrol assigned areas and enforce City parking, vehicle abatement, and related regulations.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises no supervision. However, may exercise technical and/or functional direction over assigned staff.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Patrol assigned areas; pursue animals by vehicle and on foot; capture and impound unlicensed, stray, and uncontrolled animals; snare animals using special devices; cage or secure animals in Animal Control vehicles.
- Transport animals to designated animal shelters or detention centers; examine captured animals for illness or injury; transport sick or injured animals to veterinarian for medical treatment.
- Remove dead animals from roadways using special devices.
- Investigate reports or complaints of animals creating nuisances and take appropriate actions; investigate and prepare police reports for serious violations including cruelty to animals, dog bite incidents, and vicious dog attacks initiated by dog owners.
- Quarantine animals that are known or suspected of inflicting an animal bite on a person; provide follow-up contact to ascertain if the animal is showing any signs of sickness or rabies; file report with the Health Department.
- Issue administrative citations to enforce City animal regulations including licensing requirements.
- Maintain extensive records of the number of animals taken to animal control shelter, breed and sex of the animal impounded, the location where the animal was captured, deposition of injured animals, and number of citations issued; prepare necessary reports.
- Testify in court as an expert witness for the City regarding the enforcement of animal control laws.
- Serve as a resource person regarding City animal regulations; conduct public relations meetings with schools, civic groups and organizations, and other public interest groups.
- Operate and maintain department vehicle.
- Patrol streets and parking lots, inspecting parking conditions and placing identifying marks on vehicles; write and issue citations for all parking violations; inspect vehicles for required parking permits and issue citations as necessary.
- Provide information and directions to the public; report all hazardous or unusual situations to the Police Department.
- Patrol streets and alleys and issue citations for violations of City ordinances and hazardous conditions relating to rubbish, weed control, abandoned vehicles, fire hazards, public nuisances, and water conservation; explain the scope, purpose, and applicability of City ordinances to members of the public.
OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned .
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Basic methods of animal collection, care, and disposal.
- General animal diseases.
- City abatement and nuisance codes and ordinances.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary m the area of animal capture and control.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Principles of basic report preparation.
- Techniques used in public relations.
- Basic mathematical principles.
- English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
- Safe driving principles and practices.
Skill to:
- Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
- Operate necessary tools and devices to capture animals.
Ability to:
- Interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions including animal control and protection laws and regulations.
- Determine the proper action to take when confronting animals who are agitated, vicious, frightened, or injured.
- Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
- Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
- Prepare clear, complex, and extensive reports.
- Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public.
- Work independently in the absence of supervision.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience:
- Two years of experience in the care and handling of animals and dealing with the public.
Training:
- Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in handling animals.
License or Certificate:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, a CA POST, Penal Code 832 – Powers of Arrest or Reserve Level III certificate.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, a CA POST Baton Certification.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, a CA POST OC/Pepper Spray or chemical agent certification.
Special Requirements:
Employees performing the essential duties of this position are required to utilize the physical skills and work in environment(s) as noted below:
Physical Abilities:- Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an outdoor setting and operate assigned equipment.
- The frequencies noted below are general and may change depending upon the specific physical activities necessary to complete assigned tasks.
Continuous: walking, standing.
Frequent: sitting, standing, walking, reaching with arms and hands, crouching, smelling, kneeling, stooping, talking, handling, fingering, data entry, keyboarding, repetitive hand/arm movement, climbing, balancing, lifting, carrying, bending, and squatting.
Occasional: pushing and pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting of objects weighing up to 75 lbs. form below waist level to above shoulder level, with or without assistance; lifting objects weighing from 76 – 100 lbs. from below waist level to shoulder level, with or without assistance; transporting of objects weighing up to 25 lbs. for distances up to 300 yards, with or without assistance; transporting of objects 26 – 50 lbs. for distances up to 100 feet, with or without assistance; transporting objects weighing 51 – 100 lbs. for distances up to 50 feet, with or without assistances; transporting objects weighing over 100 lbs. for distance up to 50 feet with assistance; hand strength and manual dexterity to grasp and manipulate tools, parts and supplies; fine finger dexterity to operate computer and equipment.
Infrequent: crawling, lifting of objects weighing over 100 lbs. below and at waist level, with or without assistance.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, meter-reading equipment, dials, and gauges and to operate vehicles and equipment; color vision acuity.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Environment: Exposure to noise, heat and vibration of equipment; mechanical and electrical hazards of operating equipment; fumes and odors of sewage, chemicals, and gases; explosive materials/environments; confined spaces; toxic substances such as chemicals, cleaners, solvents, and gases; all types of weather and temperature conditions; health hazards such as bacteria and viruses; traffic hazards. Work and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain.
