Animal Control Officer

City of Santa Monica; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Monica is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce animal-related ordinances, handle wildlife and domestic animals, and maintain essential records for public safety and animal welfare.

The role involves patrolling the city, responding to complaints, and coordinating with the animal shelter to care for and relocate animals as needed.

Qualifications

• State, local laws and ordinances related to animals.
• First aid for animals.
• Methods and equipment used in handling various types of animals.
• Animal behavior and care for animals.
• Effective customer service techniques.
• Effective supervisory techniques.

Responsibilities

• Enforces ordinances and laws pertaining to animals and issues citations.
• Handles wild and vicious animals.
• Maintains records, writes reports, and conducts investigations related to animals.
• Responds to calls and complaints involving animals across the city.
• Patrols city to enforce animal control ordinances and laws and investigates abuse/neglect cases.
• Checks and feeds animals at the Santa Monica animal shelter; tranquilizes/medicates/euthanizes as needed.
• Maintains records of licenses, violation notices, crime reports, and lost/found animals.
• Sells animals to the public and coordinates return to owners.

Skills

Animal handling

Knowledge of laws

Customer service

Safety procedures

Report writing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

30 semester units in Animal Science or related field

1 year paid experience with animals

State Humane Academy training desirable

Job description

Are you an animal lover with a passion for making a difference in your community? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as an Animal Control Officer!

As an Animal Control Officer, you'll be at the forefront of enforcing ordinances and laws related to animals, handling wild and vicious animals, and utilizing controlled substances to ensure the well-being of animals in our community. Your work will have a direct and meaningful impact on public safety and the welfare of animals, making a real difference in the lives of both humans and animals alike.

Join us in making a difference and protecting our community's animals.

Job Summary

• Enforces ordinances and laws pertaining to animals and issues citations. Handles wild and vicious animals. Uses controlled substances to tranquilize, medicate, or euthanize animals. Maintains records, writes reports, investigates crimes against animals and performs computer data entry of license, medical and other information. Responds to calls and complaints involving animals throughout the city.
• Patrols city to enforce animal control ordinances and laws. Investigates cases of animal abuse and neglect. Issues citations when necessary.
• Checks and feeds animals housed at the Santa Monica animal shelter. Handles animals of various sizes and temperaments. Tranquilizes and medicates animals. Euthanizes and disposes of dead animals.
• Maintains records of animal licenses, violation notices, crime reports, lost and found animals, and humane education.
• Sells animals to the public. Coordinates the return of animals to their owners.
• Processes and issues pet licenses and neuter vouchers.
• Assesses sick or injured wildlife, stabilizes injuries and transports animals to rehabilitators.
• Follows applicable safety rules and regulations.
• Testifies in court, as required.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Knowledge of

• State, local laws and ordinances related to animals.
• First aid for animals.
• Methods and equipment used in handling various types of animals.
• Animal behavior and how to care for animals.
• Effective customer service techniques.
• Effective supervisory techniques.

Ability to

• Handle calls, questions, and complaints related to animals in an appropriate manner.
• Handle animals of all sizes and temperaments.
• Climb, crawl, and lift heavy objects.
• Apply first aid to animals.
• Use controlled substances to tranquilize, medicate, or euthanize animals.
• Maintain and repair animal traps, tools and equipment.
• Make accurate calculations.
• Recognize common animal diseases.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public, co-workers and City staff.
• Provide effective customer service.

Skill in

• Reading, writing, and communicating in English at an appropriate level.
• Performing math calculations at an appropriate level.
• Dealing effectively with coworkers and the general public.

Education Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Completion of 30 semester units of college-level course work in Animal Veterinary Science, Zoology, Animal Management, Administration of Justice or related field.
• One year of recent, paid experience working with animals. Recent, relevant work experience must include interacting with the public.
• Additional recent, paid relevant work experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year for year basis. One year of the additional required work experience is equal to successful completion of 30 semester units.
• Completion of an 80 hour course at the State Humane Association's Animal Control Officer Training Academy is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Class C driver license.
• Ability to obtain a State Humane Academy certificate and PC 832 certificate weapons and training for tranquilizer gun within one year of date of hire.

Background Investigations

Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our employees are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces and diversity of our employees.

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for person with disabilities. Call (310) 45-8246, TDD [phone] (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

Selection Process

All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of the following:

• Written Examination: 100%

NOTE: If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.