Extra Help Animal Control Officer I

About the Department

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health and Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.  If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health and Human Services Agency located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Applications will be reviewed by Tulare County Human Resources & Development. As extra help positions become available, County departments with the job openings select the most qualified and appropriate applicant for the position available. The number of hours and duration of employment varies by each assignment. Extra help employees may work in a variety of County departments in locations throughout the geographic county area.

Extra help employees may not work more than 1,559 hours in any fiscal year from July to June. An extra help employee who mistakenly works in excess of 1,559 hours in a fiscal year does not become a probationary or regular employee. Applications will be active for six months. If you are hired for extra help and you complete a work assignment and then if you wish to be employed again, you must resubmit an Extra Help application online. There are no benefits associated with extra help positions.  See regular job specification for complete job duties and requirements.

Position Duties

• Patrols as assigned in an animal control vehicle to search for stray, sick, injured, or dead animals and provide services as needed.
• Respond to calls from the public, law enforcement agencies or other Animal Control Officers concerning injured, stray, sick or dangerous animals and violations of animal regulatory ordinances.
• Enforces State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, such as leash laws, licensing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering, quarantining, dangerous dog, animal noise, and barking dog ordinances.
• Pick up and transport animals to the shelter for impounding, humane disposal or rabies investigation or to the veterinarian as appropriate.
• Answer complaints concerning animals and take appropriate action.
• Conduct investigations of animal bites and quarantine animals as appropriate.
• Investigate and take appropriate action to prevent inhumane treatment of animals.
• Explain and interpret animal control laws, regulations, policies and procedures; advise the public regarding relinquishing, reclaiming and adoption of pets or livestock.
• Conduct special investigations in response to public complaints pertaining to possible violations of animal laws and regulatory ordinances.
• Appears at hearings or in court to testify and present evidence regarding violations of animal laws and regulatory ordinances.
• Prepare computerized reports.
• Complete records and various forms such as daily activity sheets, receipts for fees received, citations, quarantines and investigative reports.
• Utilize controlled drugs for tranquilization and euthanasia, following appropriate laws and procedures. Prepares logs of controlled drugs used.
• Impound and transport sick, injured, stray or dead animals.
• Administer minor first aid and emergency treatment for animals and/or perform humane euthanasia.
• Ensure dogs have been properly licensed and vaccinated by checking license tags and owner verifications.
• Issue licenses and deposit funds.
• Conduct residential canvassing for unlicensed dogs and handle follow up work on delinquent licenses.
• Assist with front office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public.
• Safely use County issued equipment including: tranquilizer gun, chemical and physical restraints and animal traps.
• Collect fees and issue receipts for licenses and other animal care/control services.
• Provide information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, and adoptions.
• Participate in public school and community group presentations.
• Exercise tact, compassion, courtesy and poise while discharging assigned duties.
• Operate standard office equipment, and computer applications.
• Clean and disinfect kennel areas, vehicles and equipment as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education: 

Experience:  

Knowledge of:

• County and State ordinances and laws relating to the care, treatment and impounding of animals.
• The humane and safe procedure for animal euthanasia.
• Provisions relating to the collection and deposit of dog license receipts and penalties.
• The care and feeding of various breeds of dogs and animals, and the common diseases of animals and their symptoms.
• The capture, control and transportation of a variety of animals.
• Math sufficient to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole number, fractions and percentages.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Complete multiple priority projects with strict deadline.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
• Work rotating on-call to respond to Animal Services related emergencies
• Follow safe work practices and use protective equipment as directed and trained.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Use appropriate judgment in recognizing and exercising the scope and limits of authority.
• Prioritize, organize, and carry out work assignments.
• Operate with safety and accuracy small caliber firearms.
• Be flexible in changing workloads and emergency situations.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with fellow employees and the general public.
• Promote good public relations.
• Regular operation of various vehicles, including but not limited to SUVs, cargo vans, and heavy-duty Animal Control trucks in accordance with Motor Vehicle Codes and Laws.
• Lift, drag or carry weights up to 100 pounds.
• Write and print clearly, uniformly and legibly.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
• Must comply with Penal Code 832 requirements and complete the certified PC 832 course in arrest and firearms within six months of employment. Complete and pass the department’s Humane Euthanasia Training program pursuant to Section 2039, Title 16, California Code of Regulations, within six months of the date of hire..
• Complete all requirements needed to obtain a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit per the California Veterinary Medical Board within 90 days of the date of hire.and maintain VACSP certification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must be immunized against rabies within three (3) months of start date and maintain immunity for the duration of employment.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

License or Certificate:

Other Qualifications

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER