Salary : $97,087.91 – $127,387.75 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 001827-23-CDD
Department: Community Development Department
Division: Animal Services
Opening Date: 05/27/2023
Closing Date: 6/24/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
THE POSITION
The City of Sacramento requires all newly appointed employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Candidates seeking an accommodation from this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please Note: a candidate may be required to successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The Front Street Animal Shelter is seeking a Chief Animal Control Officer, the ideal candidate will possess the following: knowledge of current best practices in animal control and shelter management programs and policies; knowledge and experience with current obstacles in municipal animal service organizations, including field service and shelter operations; experience in hiring, developing and managing staff; and a willingness to accommodate varied workdays and schedules.
The Chief Animal Control Officer plans, directs, organizes, coordinates, and evaluates animal control activities including the enforcement of laws related to animal protection and the sheltering of animals; develops and implements animal control programs and field enforcement policies; assists with the coordination of division activities with other City departments and outside agencies.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This single-position exempt management level classification assists with the administration of the division, provides technical assistance to subordinate staff, and oversees and coordinates investigations. This classification is distinguished from Animal Care Services Manager in that the latter is at the division manager level and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Animal Care Services Division.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Limited direction is provided by the Animal Care Services Manager. Responsibilities include the direct and indirect supervision of animal control personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Depending upon the assignments, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Establishes, implements, and reviews goals and objectives for operational staff; identifies resource needs; develops animal control policies and procedures required to meet the mission and vision of the division; may serve as Animal Care Services Manager in their absence.
- Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides advice and assistance to staff; ensures adequate coverage of operations.
- Receives and responds to citizen and elected official complaints and inquiries.
- Oversees and coordinates criminal investigations related to animal control and animal welfare issues.
- Researches and analyzes legislature related to animal protection and the sheltering of animals; evaluates impact to division operations and implements changes to policy, procedure and practice; maintains a current understanding and knowledge of issues concerning animal control and the sheltering of animals.
- Oversees and coordinates enforcement activities related to animal control and animal welfare issues.
- Acts as liaison between division and other City departments and outside agencies; represents the division at city council meetings, community organizations, and related committees for animal control matters.
- Assists with the development and monitoring of divisional budget; reviews and authorizes requests for the purchase of new equipment and supplies.
- Performs other or related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Current methods, procedures, equipment, and technology for effective animal control management.
- Various local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to animal control and the sheltering of animals.
- Investigative and documentation techniques including collecting and cataloging evidence.
- Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding animal control operations.
- Principles of administration, personnel management, and budgeting.
- Principles and practices of legislative analysis and report writing.
- Various methods, procedures, equipment, technology and software related to animal control and the sheltering of animals.
Skill in:
- Public speaking.
- Document preparation; report writing.
- Use of modern office equipment including computers, computer applications and software.
- Use of standard animal control equipment and vehicles.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise the operational functions of the division.
- Train and evaluate subordinates.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Analyze and enforce local, state and federal laws related to animal control and the sheltering of animals.
- Develop, implement, and oversee animal related programs.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Experience:
Four years of paid full-time experience in the administration and operation of an animal care, enforcement, or control operation, including supervising, training and reviewing the work of subordinate staff.
-AND-
Education:An Associate’s degree or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university with major course work in animal science, business administration, public administration, veterinary science, administration of justice or related field.
Substitution:A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in animal science, business administration, public administration, veterinary science, administration of justice or related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
PROOF OF EDUCATIONProof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Driver’s License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Loss of the Class C License is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Certification:
Possession of State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Penal Code 832 (Arrest, Search and Seizure) Certificate is desirable.
Background:
Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job related convictions, fingerprinting, drug use history, and polygraph.
Felony Convictions:
Free of felony convictions under California Penal Code Sections 29900 and 29905.
Medical and Drug Test:
Must pass a medical and drug test.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The conditions herein are typically required of an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Work Conditions: must perform shift work as assigned, including days/evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Environmental Conditions: work is performed primarily in a standard office setting but could include exposure to various types of weather and unsanitary conditions, work around dead people, human excrement, animal fur, dander, disorganized and/or substandard houses; infectious, emotionally distressed and confrontational people and aggressive animals, chemical used to perform euthanasia and people who may be under influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Must be willing to obtain a pre-exposure rabies vaccination, and when medically required, revaccination shots.
Physical Conditions: must be able to occasionally lift, carry, restrain, and capture animals between 60-70 pounds; walk, run, stand, or climb on slipper, even or uneven, and paved or unpaved surfaces as well as bend, stoop, squat, and crawl in small, low and/or confined areas.
THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento’s preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.
1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application for further consideration.
- Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
- Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
- If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the “Work Experience” section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
- If “see resume” is noted in the “Work Experience” section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the “Work Experience” section.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office as part of the application process;
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
- Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
- A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
- Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.
3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) – All applications received will be forwarded to the hiring department for review until the position is filled. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.
5. Background Process: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job related convictions, fingerprinting, drug use history, and polygraph.
6. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass LiveScan/fingerprinting and provide proof of receiving a complete COVID-19 vaccination. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.
QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:
- Please visit for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
- For technical support between 6 AM – 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
- Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at ;
- Send an email to ; or
- Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726
Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That’s right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.
Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee’s Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant’s eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
Additional Information
Civil Service Rules:
Union Contracts:
Salary Schedule:
01
APPLICATION: I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the “Work Experience” section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the “Work Experience” section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).Please refer to the City of Sacramento’s Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Divisions/Talent-Acquisition-and-Workforce-Development/Applicant-Resources
- Yes
02
PROOF OF EDUCATION: To qualify for this classification you may use education or experience as listed in the substitution option to provide required knowledge and abilities.I understand proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with my application and will be required at the time of appointment if I am using education to qualify for this position.Please refer to the City of Sacramento’s Proof of Education Requirements (https://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Divisions/Talent-Acquisition-and-Workforce-Development/Applicant-Resources) for information on accepted documentation.
- Yes
03
EDUCATION CONFIRMATION: If I am using education to qualify for this position, I attest I possess or will possess the following level of education with major course work in animal science, business administration, public administration, veterinary science, administration of justice or related field by time of appointment if I am selected for this position
- No units from an accredited college or university
- Less than 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
- 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
- 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university
- Associates Degree
- 90 semester or 135 quarter units from an accredited college or university
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
- Doctorate
04
I understand that candidates considered for appointment must pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, and a drug use history to be considered for this position
- Yes
05
I understand that candidates considered for appointment must pass a medical examination and a drug test.
- Yes
06
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE: The answers to the questions below will be reviewed by the hiring department along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing this Supplemental Questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation may negatively affect the hiring department’s review of your Supplemental Questionnaire. I understand and agree to the above instructions.
- Yes
07
Describe briefly key past and present trends in progressive animal control programs and policies.
08
Describe your experience in working with other sections of a municipal animal shelter, including shelter operations, veterinary services, volunteer programs and community outreach.
09
Describe what a successful animal control operation unit should consist of.
Required Question