Animal Control Officer

Monterey County Animal Services; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Monterey County Animal Services seeks an Animal Control Officer to enforce local and state animal control laws, capture stray and aggressive animals, and educate the public on responsible pet ownership. The role involves field work, reporting, and collaboration with the Health Department's Hitchcock Road Animal Services program.

The successful candidate will patrol, respond to incidents, and assist with dispatch and rabies control efforts as needed in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of animal capture, care, handling and disposal techniques.
• Knowledge of state and local laws pertaining to animal control and licensing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and communicate clearly.
• Recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases.

Responsibilities

• Patrols an assigned geographic area and transports animals in a County vehicle.
• Responds to and investigates complaints about animal control violations.
• Captures and impounds stray, injured, unlicensed, or aggressive animals.
• Maintains accurate records, completes forms and writes reports.
• Issues citations for animal control and licensing violations.
• Educates the public on responsible pet ownership and rabies control.

Skills

Animal handling

Public interaction

Report writing

Law knowledge

Job description

Monterey County Health Department’s Animal Services Bureau is seeking an enthusiastic Animal Control Officer to join our team of dedicated professionals to provide compassionate and effective services for the animals of Monterey County. The County of Monterey via the Health Department provides operational oversight for Hitchcock Road Animal Services, which is a Joint Power Agency for the City of Salinas and County of Monterey.

Animal Control Officers (ACO) provide field services that include (but are not limited to) local and state ordinance enforcement and issuance of citations, stray, injured and aggressive animal pick up, animal bite investigation, noise and nuisance complaints, documentation, and public education on responsible pet ownership.

Animal Control Officers make a real impact in the community by protecting animals and promoting public safety. Officers patrol assigned areas, respond to calls for service, investigate violations, safely capture and care for animals in need, maintain accurate and thorough records, educate pet owners, and support rabies control efforts. Officers may also assist with dispatch duties and coordinate responses to animal-related incidents. This position combines fieldwork, problem-solving and compassionate animal care in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

Animal Services, through Hitchcock Road Animal Services, provides field, sheltering and licensing services to the residents of the City of Salinas and County of Monterey. The Bureau operates an Animal Services facility that takes in about 4,000 animals each year.

As of 4/12/2023, the Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flyer.

Examples of Duties:

• Patrols an assigned geographical area of the County and/or City of Salinas and transports animals in a specially equipped County vehicle.
• Responds to and investigates complaints concerning possible violations of animal control laws.
• Captures and impounds stray, injured, unlicensed, vicious or quarantined animals.
• Maintains accurate records, completes forms and writes reports.
• Issues citations for violations of animal control and licensing laws.
• Explains pet owner responsibilities to the public; participates in rabies control programs.
• Properly cares for impounded or quarantined animals; releases animals under appropriate circumstances.
• Properly destroys and/or disposes of animals.
• Serves as dispatcher when so assigned.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Working Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques used in the capture, control, care, handling and disposal of various breeds of animals.
• State and local laws pertaining to the control and licensing of animals

Skill and Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Quickly assess a situation and take appropriate action.
• Exercise tact and good judgment in dealing with the public.
• Prepare clear, complete reports.
• Recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases.
• Follow oral and written instructions.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience:

Approximately one year of experience handling animals and dealing with the public.