Animal Control Officer I
Position Information
Join our dedicated team as an Animal Control Officer I!
The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services is seeking a qualified candidate to fill an Animal Control Officer position in Field Services at either the I or II level. If you are interested in being considered for the II level, you will need to apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment being conducted for that level.
Animal Control Officers (ACO) patrol an assigned area and routinely assist other officers to enforce State and County laws and ordinances, and apply procedures pertaining to the control of rabies, and control, licensing, care, and dispatch of animals. Other duties of an ACO I include:
- Capturing and restraining aggressive or sick/injured animals
- Lifting animals up to 100 pounds or more, and moving them short distances in order to load and unload them into a truck
- Investigating and responding to complaints and non-compliance with laws, issuing citations, warning notices, and abatement notices for violations
- Impounding stray, sick, and injured animals
- Entering data into a computer and creating reports
- Communicating with the public and appearing as a witness in court, as needed
- Using a firearms to dispatch suspected rabid, unrestrained, vicious, and/or severely injured animals
- Driving County vehicles including a three-quarter ton truck, operating a 2-way radio to communicate with a dispatcher, and perform dispatch duties, as needed
- Assisting other law enforcement departments
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Experience working with domestic animals and livestock, and/or a law enforcement background
- Experience explaining laws/ordinances to the public
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to give public presentations
- A license as a Registered Veterinary Technician issued by the Veterinary Medical Board
- Certification in the use of firearms and experience exercising powers of arrest
- The ability to interact with a diverse community and build relationships with fellow officers/employees
- The ability to work in a fast-placed environment and shift gears quickly
The Sonoma County Animal Shelter provides services on a 24 hour/7 day a week basis, and as such, ACOs are expected to be available to work some weekends and holidays. ACOs are also assigned standby coverage several nights a week and are on call for emergency situations. Officers wear a County-provided uniform and all assigned equipment on a duty belt, plus a ballistic vest. The department has a three-month field-training program for new officers.
What Makes Sonoma County a Great Choice
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and experience: Any combination of education and experience which would provide for the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, experience of a responsible nature involving public contact in situations requiring the exercise of tact and good judgment coupled with experience in the care and control of animals or in law enforcement will provide the knowledge and abilities.
License: Possession of an Animal Health Technician Certificate is highly desirable. Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Special Requirements: Completion of P.O.S.T. course work and certification in the use of firearms and exercising powers of arrest as specified in Penal Code 830.9 is required within one year of the date of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of: grammar, spelling, and punctuation sufficient to write reports.
Knowledge of: the physical and behavior characteristics of common breeds of domestic animals and livestock.
Ability to: read, learn and understand laws, regulations and procedures pertaining to animal and rabies control, and the licensing of animals; understand and follow oral and written instructions; exercise tact and good judgment in dealing with the public; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action in emergency and stressful situations; learn the techniques of capturing, corralling, herding and controlling animals and performing euthanasia; maintain records and prepare accurate and concise reports; speak and write effectively; learn to safely use and care for small firearms and other assigned equipment; drive a light truck with or without a trailer; demonstrate strength and agility to insure effective performance of prescribed duties; lift, carry, handle and transport animals weighing over 75 pounds.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.