Kennel Officer II / Field Officer II

Under direction, performs progressively complex assignments in enforcement, care, treatment, quarantine, impound, euthanasia and disposal of animals and informs and advises the public on licensing, immunization, and other Animal Services programs, and performs any other related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The II level differs from the I level in that work is done more independently with less supervision. Incumbents at the II level are responsible for additional public contact and interaction with public and private entities. The II level must demonstrate the ability to speak and write effectively at a level necessary for successful job performance.

Incumbents are also assigned citizen complaints, quarantined/biting animals, abandoned/vicious/deceased domestic and wild animals, leash law enforcement patrol, public counter duties, licensing enforcement or as kennel attendants certified by the Department to euthanize animals.

Incumbents at the II level are expected to function at a higher level of individual initiative, creativity, self-direction, independent judgment and all other tasks as listed.

PAYROLL TITLE: Animal Control Officer II

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE:  Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive.  This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE:  Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department.  In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency exam with a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY:  Health Care Agency - Animal Services

Animal Control Officer II is represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE:  This classification is within a bargaining unit that is subject to an agency shop arrangement which mandates a Regular employee to either join Local 721 of SEIU and pay dues as a member OR either pay a service fee to Local 721 or direct that an amount equivalent to the service fee be distributed to a qualified charitable organization.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies in Animal Services.  There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy for Field Officer II.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: October 24, 2017
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Kennel Officer II

• Advise the public on care and handling of animals, animal regulation policies and procedures, local and state requirements regarding licensing and impounding of animals;

• Prepares food, feeds, waters, and cares for animals; cleans and disinfects all kennel areas and equipment; visually inspects animals for disease or injury and informs supervisor; assists veterinarian with vaccinations and minor treatment of animals;

• Removes animals to be destroyed from cages, prepares and secures animals for euthanasia; places dead animals that are brought into the shelter into the freezer;

• Processes, identifies, and tags animals brought into shelters; selects animals for sale; assists and advises public on adoption and redemption of animals;

• Updates records on impounds, quarantines, adoptions, treatments, euthanasia and disposals using Animal Control Records Management software;

• Advises the public on care and handling of animals, animal regulation policies and procedures, local and state requirements regarding licensing and impounding of animals;

• Advises the public regarding reclaim, relinquishing and adoption of pets or livestock; collects and secures daily fees and charges and issues receipts as required;

• Attempts to locate owners to check for valid rabies vaccination certificates and licenses; issues warnings or citations to owners found to be in violation of leash and/or licensing laws; investigates complaints of animals alleged to be creating a nuisance; may investigate reports of animal bites;

• Assembles necessary documents for prosecution of violators; appears in court to give evidence in cases concerning violators of animal regulations as required;

• Completes forms for licensing, impounding, quarantining, and releasing of animals; prepares reports on bite cases, daily field activities, and completes incident reports; maintains and cares for equipment; sees that assigned vehicle is in safe operating condition and properly serviced;

• Administers injections to euthanize animals; and

• Performs other related duties as required.

• Patrols an assigned area in a radio-equipped Animal Services vehicle for at large, stray, injured, or dead animals; sets up traps to capture nuisance, biting or wild animals;

• Obtains essential information from persons involved in animal related incidents; records information on correct report; determines suitability of residence for the quarantine of animals and sets up appropriate signs as necessary; periodically visits residences to check on potentially rabid animals and quarantine conditions; impounds animals if quarantine facility is unacceptable; releases animals from quarantine at end of the specified time period;

• Train, qualify on and use Department issued weapons including tranquilizer guns for the capture and/or destruction of animals;

• Captures and, as necessary, destroys suspected rabid and/or unrestrained vicious animals; transports captured animals for disposal or rabies investigation; 

• Takes lead responsibility for capture and transportation of livestock; and

• Performs other related duties as required.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Some combination of experience (at least one year) equivalent to Animal Control Officer I, and/or educational training (at least 30 semester units or one year of institutional training) which demonstrates the attainment of journey-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stoop, lift, carry and/or move animals and supplies up to 50 pounds
• Animal Control Officer II is required to successfully complete a PC 832 course in Arrest, Search and Seizure and Fire Arms training within the first six (6) months of hire or promotion
• Animal Control Officer II is required to successfully complete a Department approved course leading to a certification in Euthanasia by Injection within the first six (6) months of hire or promotion
• Animal Control Officer II is required to be proficient with the Department's shelter software program within the first six (6) months of hire or promotion
• Must have experience working in a kennel or animal services shelter
• Must be willing and able to work rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays
• Must be willing and able to work in Simi Valley, Camarillo and various locations throughout Ventura County
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver license issued by the State of California

FINAL FILING DATE:  This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
 

• 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970; Ventura, CA 93009; (805) 654-5129 (County Government Center)

• 2323 Knoll Drive, 3rd Floor; Ventura, CA 93003; (805) 677-5184 (Health Care Agency building)