Animal Control Officer II

The Position Under general supervision, the Animal Control Officer II coordinates and performs a variety of animal control and compliance functions, including patrolling assigned areas; monitoring and enforcing animal control regulations; responding to animal control inquiries and complaints from the public; issuing citations and warnings; and performing all animal related public safety and health duties.

THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

Responsibilities Investigate reports of animal cruelty, nuisances, and potentially dangerous animals; communicate with and advise owners of loose animals. Patrol City streets, neighborhoods, and/or other designated areas to monitor, remove, transport, and locate stray, vicious, trapped, injured, and/or dead animals. Rescue and impound stray animals; use remote chemical immobilization equipment; vaccinate, photograph, and process impounded animals prior to kenneling; transport injured animals to veterinary hospitals for treatment. Assist law enforcement personnel and other agencies by taking animals into custody due to death, emergencies, arrests, and/or police investigations. May be required to forcibly enter a residence to obtain an animal. Enforce City and State laws, regulations, and ordinances related to animal control. Compile case evidence and prepare animal control cases for court; provide court testimony and render opinions on the nature of case animals. Issue warnings and citations for violations of animal control regulations and may be required to testify in court or at administrative hearings. Safely operate rifles, shotguns, and tranquilizer equipment to capture, humanely euthanize animals, or defend the public from vicious or uncontrollable animals as necessary. Educate and provide the public with information regarding animal control laws, licensing requirements, owner responsibilities, and appropriate animal care. Maintain and safeguard assigned equipment and supplies such as citation books, computers, controlled substances, and animal control vehicles. Operate a computer and a two-way radio to maintain close communication with dispatching personnel. May train others performing similar work. Prepare and maintain a variety of animal control records, documentation, and reports. Provide courteous and professional customer service to those contacted in the course of work. Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed may necessarily be performed by each individual holding this classification. Qualifications Knowledge of: Occupational hazards and safety precautions of work around animals. Habits and characteristics of domestic animals and wildlife. Symptoms of common animal diseases. Principles and practices of customer service, including conflict resolution. Computer operations and applications. State laws and regulations related to animal control functions (such as rabies and search and seizures); current local animal control codes and regulations. Record keeping principles and practices. Laboratory analysis principles and practices. Skill in: Answering inquiries and providing factual and technical information. Handling criticism and hostility from citizens with tact and good judgment. Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Collecting, compiling, and analyzing basic information and data. Making field contact with various animals, some of which may be hostile and/or injured. Using common office computer software. Safe and proficient use of specialized law enforcement weapons and equipment. Providing courteous and professional customer service. Ability to: Read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance. Understand, retain, interpret, and enforce animal control codes, laws, case law, and regulations. Identify and report animal control problems encountered in the course of work. Safely care for and physically control live, sick, or injured domestic and exotic animals and reptiles. Humanely euthanize animals by the end of probationary period. Gather specimens for laboratory analysis and observe contamination protocols. Properly operate animal control equipment. Understand and comply with departmental policies, rules, and instructions. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with the public, community volunteers, and City personnel. Prioritize work; coordinate several activities, and follow up as required. Timely prepare well‑written, clear, concise, and well‑substantiated reports. Assist with staff and volunteers training as needed. Efficiently and effectively perform assigned duties with considerable independence within legal and procedural guidelines. Experience and Education Eighteen months of experience in animal care or animal control, of which six months must be in public contact work and the enforcement of rules and regulations. Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. Special Qualifications Driver’s License: Valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Loss of Class C license is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis. Must possess or obtain the State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Penal Code 832 (Arrest and Firearms) Certificate during probationary period and throughout employment. Must possess or obtain the American Red Cross Standard First Aid Course Certificate during probationary period and throughout employment. Background & Testing Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job‑related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and drug use history. Must pass a medical and/or drug test. Work, Environmental & Physical Conditions Must perform shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Standby duty is also required. Work outside in various types of weather and unsanitary environments. Must be willing to obtain a pre‑exposure rabies vaccination, and when medically required, revaccination shots. Must be able to regularly lift, carry, restrain, and capture animals between 60–70 pounds; occasionally up to 100 pounds. Incumbents may be required to walk, run, stand, climb on slippery, even or uneven, and paved or unpaved surfaces as well as bend, stoop, squat, and crawl in small, low and/or confined areas. Probationary Period Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status. Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. #J-18808-Ljbffr Careers In Government