About the Department
This position is expected to perform day to day duties specific to an Animal Control Officer as assigned. Incumbents enforce state and local laws and ordinances to protect the safety and rights of the public and the welfare of animals. Work is performed primarily in the field. Incumbents must be sensitive to potential community reaction to operational activities. Qualified applicants will participate in the Civil Service Examination process.
Pay within range is dependent upon experience and qualifications.
Position Duties
- Interpret and enforce federal and state laws and county ordinances pertaining to animals and the safety, health and welfare of the public and assure humane treatment of animals.
- Respond to citizen calls for services, complaints and help to resolve conflicts between parties involving animal care and control issues including, but not limited to, property damage, barking, cruelty, degree of animal confinement, potential or actual danger and injury to or by animals.
- When the owner cannot be located, control of stray horses, cattle, etc., causing a nuisance or risk of accident.
- Complete bite reports for the Island County Health Department.
- Issue warnings and serve criminal citations, civil infractions and/or civil notices as indicated. Assist Prosecuting Attorneys as required in cases or issues involving animal care and control. Provide testimony in court cases.
- Create, monitor and maintain case files. Keep statistical data and prepare written and verbal reports as required.
- Provide technical information to animal owners, the general public, persons involved in enforcement action and attorneys.
- Represent the Sheriff’s Office at public meetings concerning issues as directed.
- On call and shift work may be required.
- Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours at assigned worksite. Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime.
- Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position.
- Operate Animal Control vehicles; perform routine minor vehicle maintenance.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. Incumbents perform the majority of assigned work outdoors in all types of weather and hazardous driving conditions at locations throughout the county. In addition, the position involves considerable exposure to disagreement or controversy and situations involving conflict, anger, verbal abuse and potential for violence. In addition, work may involve dealing with hostile individuals as well as suspected criminals. Employees are potentially exposed to various communicable zoonotic diseases, noxious odors, animal blood, feces and urine, fleas, ticks, mites, as well as severely injured or dangerous animals, dead, sick and diseased animals. Employees may be required to work overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary and be subject to callbacks.
Minimum Qualifications
- Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations pertaining to animal control
- Use and care of equipment related to humane animal control procedures
- Basic principles of public relations and community education strategies
- Investigative methods and techniques
- Principles, practices and associated terminology of the criminal justice system
- Animal identification, behavior and control methods and techniques
- Skilled in keyboard and computer use for operating required automated systems and processing associated paperwork
- Ability to deal effectively with and gain cooperation of the public under stressful conditions; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to audiences of various social, educational and economic backgrounds.
- Ability to read, interpret and implement ordinances, codes, laws and established policies and procedures. Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment under hostile and stressful situations and to solve problems in a professional and objective manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Sheriff’s Office personnel, other county officials, personnel of other agencies, and the general public; interact with others with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to prepare documents, give clear and comprehensive reports, and provide required documentation of activities
- Ability to use independent judgment in making appropriate decisions.
- Ability to operate and utilize various department maintained electronic databases and electronic equipment or other specialty equipment used in investigations
- Ability to make presentations to the public and to community groups
- Ability to maintain composure and act quickly and effectively in an emergency
Other Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
- Two (2) years of field experience providing Animal Control/Shelter/Veterinary and/or Law Enforcement services preferred.
- Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Additional training or course work in law enforcement and/or experience with animals in an animal control environment may be considered toward meeting the above experience requirement. Successful completion of the WSCJTC Animal Control Officer Academy is highly desirable.
- United States citizenship and the ability to read and write the English language as required by RCW 41.14.100.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: - Ability to successfully complete an Island County Sheriff’s Office background investigation, which may include a medical physical, behavioral assessment and polygraph, is required prior to employment.
- A valid Washington State driver’s license and satisfactory driving record is required.
- Ability to successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Animal Control Officer Academy and any other required training.
- All notifications regarding the Civil Service Examination process, including testing dates, times, scores and canvass for availability will be sent to you by email, unless you express a preference otherwise by written notice.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. This position has a variety of physical requirements based on differing work circumstances. Required physical activities include but are not limited to digital dexterity, running, maneuvering quickly on foot, walking, standing, sitting, talking, hearing and seeing, twisting, balancing, climbing, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, lift and carry up to 70 pounds, dragging, pushing/pulling. Must be capable of applying physical strength in the apprehension, control and containment of animals. Must have ability to drive a County vehicle, including cars, trucks or vans.
APPLICATION PROCESS:- Your application should contain your complete work history, complete educational history, including courses of study and your complete history of training courses that directly affect your ability to perform as an Animal Control Officer. If applicable, include all military training courses, a copy of your latest military discharge DD Form 214 and copies of certificates from law enforcement training. Application materials including application forms, certificates, cover letter and resume will be used to determine your eligibility and evaluated as part of the Civil Service Examination process.
- Upload to your NEOGOV application a cover letter and a resume, and copies of the other documents that you feel support to your abilities to perform as an Animal Control Officer.
- Upload a completed "Authorization to Release Information".
- If you are claiming Veterans' Scoring Criteria Status and wish to receive points, upload a completed Veterans' Criteria Status Declaration form and include a copy of your military discharge DD Form 214 Member -4 copy.
- After your application package has been reviewed you will be notified by email. Qualified applicants will be directed to and required to complete a Personal History Questionnaire.
CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBILITY REGISTER: The names of qualified candidates shall be entered on the eligible register. Certifications for appointments shall be from this register. Names of eligibles from successive examinations in the same program shall be entered on the eligible register at the appropriate places as determined by final grades.CIVIL SERVICE SELECTION PROCESS: Vacancies are filled by the Civil Service "rule of five" with the top five eligibles forwarded to the appointing authority (Sheriff) for interview and background investigation. Applicants given a conditional offer of employment are subject to further processes including polygraph examination, psychological examination, medical examination and background investigation. All appointments are subject to successful completion of a one year probationary period as set forth in the Civil Service Rules for Island County Sheriff's Department Section 11.02 or its successor.Read this announcement thoroughly - it contains vital information about the Application and Civil Service Examination process. All notifications regarding this process will be sent to you by email, unless you express a preference otherwise by written notice. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Sandlin, Chief Examiner360-679-7379 – Please leave a message. Email: s.sandlin@islandcountywa.govNOTE: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.*ISLAND COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER*