Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in the enforcement and communication of animal services codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations maintains related records pertaining to field services and animal cases; investigates complaints regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals and issues appropriate citations; transports animal to and from the animal care shelter; and performs other related duties as assigned.
- Patrols assigned areas in the City, in City vehicle to enforce animal services codes, ordinances, and regulations; captures wild, stray, and unlicensed animals for impounding; removes and transports dead and injured animals; under emergency conditions, destroys dangerous or grossly injured animals in the field using euthanasia procedures or arranges for proper destruction.
- Investigates and fully reports on alleged cruelty to animals; issues citations; takes appropriate action, which may include impounding animals under the authority of the State animal cruelty law.
- Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals.
- Picks up dead, injured, and/or stray animals; provides necessary medical care to injured animals, including in extreme cases the use of euthanasia.
- Investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.
- Transports animals to animal shelters as needed.
- Prepares and submits investigative reports and daily activity reports; collects evidence on animal related cases; completes daily activity logs; refers cases for prosecution given continued problems.
- Registers animals; follows up on registration violations including the collection of fees; enforces local and state laws pertaining to rabies vaccinations; provides public education regarding humane animal services; organizes a quarterly licensing and vaccination clinic in conjunction with a local veterinarian.
- Operates a variety of office equipment, including radios, copy machines, telephones, fax, email, and other various computer systems.
- Prepares and types clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, forms, memorandums, correspondence, and records using correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling.
- Responds to requests for information from the public, City departments and outside agencies; attends City Council and other community meetings as needed in order to speak to groups or individuals to explain policies and provide public education.
- Interprets, explains, applies, and enforces applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- Issues warning notices and citations.
- Maintains records, logs, and files of activities.
- Operates and maintains a variety of animal services tools and equipment including humane traps, mobile radios, and related animal services tools and equipment; keeps equipment and vehicle in clean and healthful condition to accept impounded animals.
- Performs related duties, as assigned
Knowledge of:Read and interpret building and land use plans, specifications, and drawings.
The characteristics and normal behavior of various breeds of domestic and wild animals.
Effective and safe methods of animal handling, techniques and equipment including methods for the capture of sick, injured or vicious animals.
The clinical symptoms of rabies in animals and humans.
Effective public relations and conflict resolution techniques.
Court procedures and documents.
Euthanasia techniques and procedures.
Working knowledge of effective and safe methods of animal handling, techniques, and equipment.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable computer software applications.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to:Perform a variety of animal control activities.
Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal under stressful or emergency situations.
Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
Safely operate a firearm.
Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
Understand and adhere to City policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Possess effective interpersonal skills, using tact, patience and courtesy.
Use sound professional judgment.
Perform routine multi-tasking functions.
Understand and work within the course and scope of duties, authority and responsibilities.
Analyze situations and apply departmental rules and regulations effectively, as well as common sense where no guidelines are readily available.
Work with minimum supervision.
Deal tactfully, courteously, and effectively with the public when providing customer service.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education/Training:Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:Two years of experience working as an animal control officer is desired with responsibilities including the enforcement of laws and the handling of various animal species, both wild and domestic.
License or Certificate:Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License and maintain possession of such license during the course of employment.
Must have an acceptable driving record, be insurable at standard rates by City’s insurance carrier, and maintain such insurability during the course of employment.
Must possess, or have the ability to successfully obtain, a P.C. 832 Arrest and Firearms Qualification within six months of employment.
Must possess, or have the ability to successfully obtain, an Euthanasia Technician Certification within six months of employment.
Possession of an Animal Health Technician certificate is desirable.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional or mental conditions, as determined by a qualified physician and/or psychologist, which with or without accommodation might affect the ability of the employee to perform essential job functions. The position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. Additionally, the position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Near and far vision is required in order to read work related documents and use the computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Incumbent must be willing to work shift work, including holidays and weekends.
This classification is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may be required to perform other reasonable duties as assigned by management. The City reserves the right, with the concurrence of the department head, to revise or change classification duties and responsibilities as the need arises and as consistent with the meet and confer process. 
