Animal Control Officer I

Job Details

Under direct supervision, enforces County ordinances and state laws governing the licensing, adoption, impounding, and euthanasia of animals; learns to coordinate and perform a variety of animal control and compliance functions, including patrolling assigned areas; collects and transports animals to the animal shelter; monitors and enforces animal control regulations; and performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver’s License.

Education and Experience:

One year of work experience in a position involving substantial public contact including experience completing forms, preparing reports, and interpreting and applying policies and regulations.

One year of work experience in the care and handling of large (livestock) and small (dogs/cats) animals is desired.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

General Recruitment Information

This is not exhaustive of all job responsibilities. For more details, please refer to the link provided below.

To view the complete job description, you have two options: Either visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakecountyca/classspecs or simply click on this link.

The information presented in job postings, job descriptions, or recruitment materials does not form a legally binding contract, either explicit or implicit. Benefits may differ among different employee groups. The details provided in these materials are subject to change or cancellation without prior notification. Prospective employees of the County of Lake must undergo the County's pre-employment medical review program upon receiving a conditional job offer before assuming their position with the County.

Applicants may substitute relevant experience and/or education at a 2 to 1 ratio to fulfill minimum qualifications. For further details, individuals should reach out to the Human Resources department.

ADA Accommodations

Individuals in need of accommodation during the application and/or selection process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should reach out to County of Lake Human Resources at (707) 263-2213.

The County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer

Veteran's Preference

ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL OFFICER I
DEFINITION
Under direct supervision, enforces County ordinances and state laws governing the licensing, adoption, impounding, and euthanasia of animals; learns to coordinate and perform a variety of animal control and compliance functions, including patrolling assigned areas; collects and transports animals to the animal shelter; monitors and enforces animal control regulations; and performs related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry and training level classification in the Animal Care and Control Officer series. Incumbents learn to apply state and County regulations concerning the licensing, impounding, adoption, and euthanasia of animals. Incumbents are expected to perform routine and less complex tasks in the enforcement of laws and ordinances related to animal control and compliance under relatively close supervision.

This class is distinguished from the Animal Care and Control Officer II in that the latter class possesses the knowledge and completes requisite P.C. 832 and euthanasia training to independently perform the full range of animal control enforcement duties.

Positions in the Animal Care and Control Officer series are flexibly staffed. Incumbents may advance to the higher classification after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct supervision from an assigned supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide technical and functional direction to assigned staff.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Learns to patrol county areas in a radio-dispatched vehicle to investigate, locate, capture, and impound domestic animals.
• Responds to calls and complaints from the public concerning stray, nuisance, dangerous, injured, or dead domestic animals on county-maintained roads.
• Conducts complete investigations of animal bites and prepares reports for the County Health Officer.
• Quarantines animals, as necessary.
• Educates and helps explain animal control ordinances, policies, and appropriate animal care to the public and concerned parties.
• Issues warning notices and citations to ordinance violators.
• Maintains reports and records of animal impounding, licenses issued, and license fees collected.
• Feeds, waters, controls, and cares for all impounded animals in accordance with relevant ordinances and laws.
• Euthanizes animals in the prescribed manner, according to appropriate laws.
• Inspects, cleans, and maintains shelter facilities.
• Learns to assist other law enforcement agencies in enforcing animal control laws.
• Documents cases for prosecution of animal abuse and non-compliance.
• May perform some general office support duties.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Care and feeding of various breeds of dogs and cats and other domestic animals.
• Recordkeeping methods and office procedures.
• Common diseases of animals, including symptoms and care.
• Basic methods of animal collection and restraint.
• Safe and efficient handling of large and small animals.
• Characteristics of animal behavior.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.

• Proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Written and oral communications skills.

• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.

Ability to:

• Learn County and state ordinances and laws relating to the licensing, adoption, quarantine, impounding, care, and treatment of animals.
• Learn to perform a variety of animal control and enforcement functions.
• Carry out oral and written directions.
• Learn general law enforcement functions and procedures.
• Learn appropriate regulations regarding radio transmission and communications.
• Drive a light truck safely and in accordance with traffic laws.
• Provide court testimony regarding animal control issues.
• Care for animals in the shelter, including sick and injured animals.
• Read and interpret written material.
• Perform office support work.
• Exercise good judgment in handling potentially hostile individuals and situations.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public when providing information and carrying out enforcement activities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Regularly work well under pressure, meeting critical deadlines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Utilize a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver’s License.

Education and Experience:

One year of work experience in a position involving substantial public contact including experience completing forms, preparing reports, and interpreting and applying policies and regulations.

One year of work experience in the care and handling of large (livestock) and small (dogs/cats) animals is desired.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Incumbents are subject to shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Standby duty is also required.

Incumbents generally work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions and partially in the field. As such, incumbents may have occasional exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and direct exposure to hazardous physical conditions. Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.

A successful candidate will be required to submit to and pass a background check prior to the appointment. Depending upon the position and/or assigned department, the background check may include but is not limited to civil and criminal history check, reference check, Live Scan, and/or credit check (as allowed under state law). Incumbents in this position may not have any drug or alcohol related felony convictions.

Disaster Service Workers: As members of the County of Lake Emergency Services Organization, all Lake County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and / or County.

The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of Lake assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a “meet and confer” process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.

RETIREMENT - County employees are members of the California Public Employee Retirement system (CalPERS).CalPERS provides a defined benefit pension at retirement for County employees.The pension formulas and employee contribution amounts may vary by bargaining unit, date of hire, prior qualifying service, and classification. Please contact Human Resources for more information.

HEALTH AND INSURANCE BENEFITS - Medical, dental, hospital, vision, life and disability coverage is available to employees and their dependents. The County contributes $1,500 of the monthly premiums for the insurance plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL may be adjusted for current city or county government employees.

VACATION - 80 hours per year during the first five years of service, 120 hours per year after five years, and additional accruals based on years of service beyond fifteen years. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

SICK LEAVE - Accrues at a rate of 96 hours per year. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

HOLIDAYS- An average of twelve paid 8-hour holidays per year. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

SALARY - Lake County has an adopted salary schedule. The salary range for most classifications is in five increments with a provision for longevity increases. Appointments are normally made at the first step of the salary range.

SOCIAL SECURITY - County employees participate in Social Security.

CALIFORNIA STATE DISABILITY INSURANCE - SDI is available to some County employees.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS and CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIPS are available to County employees.

Closing Date/Time: 11/4/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• County of Lake

• 707-263-2213

Show more