Animal Services Dispatcher

County of Riverside; California; On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services seeks a skilled Animal Services Dispatcher in Jurupa Valley to handle high-volume inbound and emergency calls, dispatch Animal Control Officers via radio, phone, and computer, and document actions in Chameleon. You will provide timely information and coordinate responses with staff and outside agencies.

This role includes administrative duties such as citations, permits, and hearing scheduling, with a focus on safety and customer service;

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school, or a certificate of proficiency by the California State Board of Education, or a satisfactory GED.
• Six months of customer service experience handling inquiries or complaints.
• Valid California Driver License and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Receive calls for service from staff, public, and outside agencies and determine action per policies.
• Dispatch Animal Control Officers via computer, radio, and phone; update calls in the case management system.
• Track officer locations, monitor GPS, and coordinate back-up as needed for safety.
• Perform clerical duties such as permits, citations, hearings scheduling, and related tasks.

Skills

Chameleon software

Customer service

Education

High school diploma / GED

Tools

Chameleon

Job description

For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has an opportunity for an Animal Services Dispatcher located in Jurupa Valley.

The Animal Services Dispatcher will work in a fast-paced environment receiving emergency and non-emergency animal-control related requests for service from staff, the public, and outside agencies, including law enforcement. They will dispatch Animal Control Officer personnel via computer, radio, and/or phone. Operate telephone and radio equipment while entering and updating calls in the department's case management system Chameleon. Document actions taken, update pending calls, and handle follow-up inquiries and requests for estimated arrival times. Provide administrative support as assigned, including citations, collections, permits, hearing scheduling, and related duties.

Competitive candidates will have experience using Chameleon software, experience in a call center or dispatch role handling a high volume of inquiries (for a large enterprise), along with strong customer service skills. Experience operating two-way radios, using mapping tools, and maintaining detailed electronic records while handling telephone or radio traffic. Candidates that are bilingual in Spanish and ASL are highly desired.

This position currently follows a 9/80 schedule.

The Animal Services Dispatcher is a journey level classification and reports to an appropriate supervisory or management level position. This class is characterized by the responsibility for receiving and responding to a variety of routine and emergency animal-related calls for service and dispatching Animal Control Officers in the field. Incumbents may also have responsibility for performing clerical and administrative support duties.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Receive calls for service from departmental staff, the public and outside agencies and determine appropriate action to be taken; evaluate calls and provide information in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, as well as local and state animal control ordinances; route calls to appropriate personnel as necessary.
• Dispatch calls for service; utilize department case management software, mapping tools and radio systems; assign priority level to call based on established departmental procedures and guidelines and dispatch animal control officer staff based on appropriate geographical location.
• Track the location of Animal Control Officers; monitor Officer location via a GPS tracking system; perform routine safety checks, dispatch for back-up assistance and take appropriate action as needed to ensure the safety of Animal Control officers.
• May perform administrative and clerical support duties (e.g., process kennel permits and citations, schedule hearings, maintain filing systems, and generate and mail out departmental correspondence).

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school, possession of a certificate of proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. examination.

Experience: Six months of providing customer service with responsibility for receiving, evaluating, and responding to inquiries or complaints.

Other Requirements

Possession of a valid California Driver License

Knowledge of: Laws, ordinances, and regulations related to the animal control; techniques, procedures, and methods used in operating a public service communications or dispatch center; techniques and procedures in dispatching and operating radio transmitters; modern office practices and procedures including filing, recordkeeping and operating standard office equipment

Ability to: Operate radio and telephone equipment; follow oral and written directions quickly and accurately; provide prompt, accurate and efficient service; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public and outside agencies.

Environmental Requirements

Ability to work in an environment with exposure to animals, which may include animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids and wounds.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Who May Apply

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Schedule, Overtime, Standby/On-Call, and Travel Obligations

The County of Riverside offers a variety of alternative work schedules, dependent upon department operations and needs. Certain assignments may involve overtime, standby/on-call shifts, and/or travel; however, scheduling, shift assignments, overtime work, standby/on-call duty, and travel obligations are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding the schedule, overtime and standby/on-call expectations, and travel obligations.

Proof of Education

If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving 'At Will,' are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information

Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies. Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.