Animal Control & License Officer I/II

Summary

Animal Control & License Officer I/IIThe County of Riverside Department of Animal Services has multiple openings for Animal Control & License Officer I/II. Immediate openings are available in Jurupa, and this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies throughout Riverside County.Animal Control & License Officers receive and investigate complaints from the public, businesses, homeowners, and other County agencies involving stray, injured, dangerous, or improperly controlled animals. Responsibilities include maintaining detailed patrol records, issuing citations and notices of violation, and enforcing Riverside County ordinances and California State laws related to animal licensing, vaccination, disease recognition, and treatment.Animal Control & License Officers serve as public representatives for the County and are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment while providing compassionate customer service, including in emotionally charged situations. Officers are responsible for promoting safety for themselves, the public, businesses, and animals while effectively addressing animal control concerns.Competitive candidates will have strong conflict resolution skills along with effective verbal and written communication abilities, experience enforcing animal control laws, investigating public complaints, and working safety and effectively in occasionally hazardous or high-risk situations.This position requires on-call/standby availability and the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Please Note: The level at which the position will be filled is at the Department's discretion and is contingent on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Salary Range: Animal Control and License Officer I = $25.20 - $37.52/hourly Animal Control and License Officer II = $27.65 - $39.51/hourlyExamples Of Essential DutiesDrive a vehicle to patrol jurisdictions overseen by Riverside County; enforce animal regulations, laws and ordinances; answer questions from the public concerning age, breed, characteristics, care, and treatment of animals; advise the public of legal rights, explaining and interpreting animal control laws, regulations, procedures, and policies; contact dog owners by house-to-house canvassing to locate unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs; check for valid rabies certificates, microchips, and verify signalment; collect and turn in license fees.Learn to prepare reports, citations, or notices of violation; maintain records and complete forms concerning animal control and license violations and transactions, proficiently utilizing software and databases relating to Department of Animal Services (DAS).Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence and appear in court as a witness, as necessary.Ensure County vehicles are kept adequately fueled and maintained; inspect vehicles daily prior to use to identify any physical damage; alert supervisor when vehicles are due for maintenance and repair.Receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public and other agencies regarding stray, dangerous, unwanted, or improperly controlled animals; tactfully handle complaints, trying to remedy problems; under guidance from an Animal Control and License Officer II, investigate and prepare minor animal cruelty cases.Learn to use tranquilizer guns or other means to control dangerous and/or injured animals as a last resort; answer emergency calls concerning persons bitten by animals.Learn to quarantine potentially rabid animals; check potentially rabid animals at intervals as directed and release animals from quarantine at the end of a safe time period, as directed; issue citations for violation of the quarantine.Pick up and transport stray, confined, sick, injured, or dead animals; impound animals and release impounded animals to owners; segregate, isolate, perform euthanasia, and dispose of ill, injured, unwanted, or aged animals.Maintain daily records of canvassing inspections and enforcement efforts; learn to prepare required documentation for legal actions; testify in court proceedings as needed for violations; access centralized information systems or databases to retrieve and enter data.Perform property rechecks under certain circumstances to verify compliance.May assist during vaccination clinics and/or offsite events as necessary.May, on rare occasions, pick-up stray or dead animals with capture equipment (e.g., catch poles, snake tongs, skunk poles, muzzles, nets, and/or cages); scan for microchip and research owner information; if applicable, transport to owner; issue citation for leash law violations and any other animal related violations; may arrange for impound if owner/ animal information is not available or owner is not available at the time.Minimum QualificationsAnimal Control and License Officer I ($25.20 - $37.52) Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test. Experience: Six months in an animal shelter, veterinary office, animal grooming, animal board and kennel facility, or similar setting which included the care and handling of animals. Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding. Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Other Requirements: License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment. Incumbents will be required to successfully complete the Penal Code 832 training within six months of hire.Animal Control and License Officer II ($27.65 - $39.51) Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test. Experience: Six months equivalent to a Riverside County Animal Control & License Officer I or equivalent experience with another public agency or private association (i.e., The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane, and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding. Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Other Requirements: License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment. Penal Code 832 (P.O.S.T.) certification.Supplemental InformationFor questions regarding this recruitment:Please contact Ebelyn Skinner at 951-955-5196 or eskinner@rivco.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.BenefitsBenefit Program: UPE MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans. Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here.Miscellaneous Retirement: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).Tier I (Classic Member – Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.Tier II (Classic Member – Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.

Job Description

Animal Control & License Officer I/IIThe County of Riverside Department of Animal Services has multiple openings for Animal Control & License Officer I/II. Immediate openings are available in Jurupa, and this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies throughout Riverside County.Animal Control & License Officers receive and investigate complaints from the public, businesses, homeowners, and other County agencies involving stray, injured, dangerous, or improperly controlled animals. Responsibilities include maintaining detailed patrol records, issuing citations and notices of violation, and enforcing Riverside County ordinances and California State laws related to animal licensing, vaccination, disease recognition, and treatment.Animal Control & License Officers serve as public representatives for the County and are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment while providing compassionate customer service, including in emotionally charged situations. Officers are responsible for promoting safety for themselves, the public, businesses, and animals while effectively addressing animal control concerns.Competitive candidates will have strong conflict resolution skills along with effective verbal and written communication abilities, experience enforcing animal control laws, investigating public complaints, and working safety and effectively in occasionally hazardous or high-risk situations.This position requires on-call/standby availability and the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Please Note: The level at which the position will be filled is at the Department's discretion and is contingent on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Salary Range: Animal Control and License Officer I = $25.20 - $37.52/hourly Animal Control and License Officer II = $27.65 - $39.51/hourlyExamples Of Essential DutiesDrive a vehicle to patrol jurisdictions overseen by Riverside County; enforce animal regulations, laws and ordinances; answer questions from the public concerning age, breed, characteristics, care, and treatment of animals; advise the public of legal rights, explaining and interpreting animal control laws, regulations, procedures, and policies; contact dog owners by house-to-house canvassing to locate unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs; check for valid rabies certificates, microchips, and verify signalment; collect and turn in license fees.Learn to prepare reports, citations, or notices of violation; maintain records and complete forms concerning animal control and license violations and transactions, proficiently utilizing software and databases relating to Department of Animal Services (DAS).Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence and appear in court as a witness, as necessary.Ensure County vehicles are kept adequately fueled and maintained; inspect vehicles daily prior to use to identify any physical damage; alert supervisor when vehicles are due for maintenance and repair.Receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public and other agencies regarding stray, dangerous, unwanted, or improperly controlled animals; tactfully handle complaints, trying to remedy problems; under guidance from an Animal Control and License Officer II, investigate and prepare minor animal cruelty cases.Learn to use tranquilizer guns or other means to control dangerous and/or injured animals as a last resort; answer emergency calls concerning persons bitten by animals.Learn to quarantine potentially rabid animals; check potentially rabid animals at intervals as directed and release animals from quarantine at the end of a safe time period, as directed; issue citations for violation of the quarantine.Pick up and transport stray, confined, sick, injured, or dead animals; impound animals and release impounded animals to owners; segregate, isolate, perform euthanasia, and dispose of ill, injured, unwanted, or aged animals.Maintain daily records of canvassing inspections and enforcement efforts; learn to prepare required documentation for legal actions; testify in court proceedings as needed for violations; access centralized information systems or databases to retrieve and enter data.Perform property rechecks under certain circumstances to verify compliance.May assist during vaccination clinics and/or offsite events as necessary.May, on rare occasions, pick-up stray or dead animals with capture equipment (e.g., catch poles, snake tongs, skunk poles, muzzles, nets, and/or cages); scan for microchip and research owner information; if applicable, transport to owner; issue citation for leash law violations and any other animal related violations; may arrange for impound if owner/ animal information is not available or owner is not available at the time.Minimum QualificationsAnimal Control and License Officer I ($25.20 - $37.52) Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test. Experience: Six months in an animal shelter, veterinary office, animal grooming, animal board and kennel facility, or similar setting which included the care and handling of animals. Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding. Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Other Requirements: License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment. Incumbents will be required to successfully complete the Penal Code 832 training within six months of hire.Animal Control and License Officer II ($27.65 - $39.51) Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test. Experience: Six months equivalent to a Riverside County Animal Control & License Officer I or equivalent experience with another public agency or private association (i.e., The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane, and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding. Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Other Requirements: License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment. Penal Code 832 (P.O.S.T.) certification.Supplemental InformationFor questions regarding this recruitment:Please contact Ebelyn Skinner at 951-955-5196 or eskinner@rivco.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.BenefitsBenefit Program: UPE MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans. Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here.Miscellaneous Retirement: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).Tier I (Classic Member – Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.Tier II (Classic Member – Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.