Salary: $51,230.40 – $66,206.40 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular – Full time
Job Number: 23570310
Department: Animal Services
Division: Animal Services Admin
Opening Date: 10/26/2023
Closing Date: 11/12/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
Join an organization dedicated to upholding values of integrity, compassion, teamwork, innovation and operational excellence. APPLY NOW!
Interview and Job Offers will be made the week of December 4, 2023.
Future Salary Increases
** July 2024 – 4% increase to base pay (2.75% Across-the-Board + 1.25% Market Increase)
In addition to the base salary, employees receive:
- $850 annual uniform allowance
- Overtime pay for working County-observed holidays
- 4/10 schedules after completion of Animal Control Officer Academy
- 37 paid days off annually
THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AT STEP 1, $51,230.40 ANNUALLY. County employees are subject to the County Promotion Rule for Step Placement in Accordance with Compensation Ordinance 1.3.5.
County employees are subject to the County Promotion Rule for Step Placement in Accordance with Compensation Ordinance 1.3.5.
The County of San Diego’s Department of Animal Services is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Animal Control Officer.
As an Animal Control Officer, you will enforce state and local laws that protect the public from dangerous animals and protect animals from abuse and neglect. Animal Control Officers are responsible for investigating animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect, investigating reports of aggressive and/or dangerous animals, enforcing state felony and misdemeanor laws, local animal-related regulatory ordinances, writing detailed investigatory reports, and providing expert testimony in court cases and administrative hearings.
Animal Control Officers should expect to interact frequently with members of the public and other law enforcement agencies, may encounter dangerous situations with unfamiliar and unpredictable animals, offer education to the public regarding animal welfare and animal-related laws and may issue citations and warnings to individuals suspected of violating either state law or local animal-related ordinances. Animal Control Officers are responsible for transporting sick and/or injured animals found in the field or perform euthanasia on those animals too sick or injured to transport. In the case of a disaster, an Animal Control Officer is expected to participate in the evacuation, sheltering and reunification of animals impacted by the disaster.
Animal Control Officers support two County shelter locations: Bonita and Carlsbad.
For more information about the Department of Animal Services and the many services we provide to the community, CLICK HERE.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate must have compassion towards animals, be able to work independently and make mature judgments regarding field activities demonstrated through critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will also possess the ability to calmly interact with highly emotional individuals and build relationships with community partners. Potential candidates will need to have the ability to learn quickly and retain information about various animal-related laws, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as exhibit strong written communication skills. Candidates should adapt easily to changing demands as working hours can be irregular (nights, weekends, holidays and standby shifts).
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- Twelve (12) months of relevant experience within the last three (3) years handling and caring for domestic animals in a kennel facility, veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or explaining rules and regulations to the public in an animal related environment or public service capacity; OR,
- Twelve (12) months of relevant experience within the last three (3) years as a humane officer or animal control officer at a humane society or animal control agency; OR,
- Twelve (12) months as an Animal Care Attendant with the County of San Diego, and have successfully passed the probationary period for said position; OR,
- Possession of Registration as a Veterinary Technician with the State of California; OR,
- Completion of at least thirty (30) semester college units from an accredited college or university with at least twelve (12) units related to animal control, criminal justice, or law enforcement.
Note: Candidates must complete a certified Penal Code 832 course in arrest and firearms within 6 months of appointment.
“CLICK HERE” to view the complete Animal Control Officer job description, including minimum qualifications, essential functions, working conditions and physical characteristics.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
HIRING PROCESS AND TIMELINE:
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
- Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
EVALUATION PROCESS:
Qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Note: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a that will create a County that works for all.
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 – 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term “public employees” includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary
01
Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire: Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough and complete manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score. Please note that if you are invited to a selection interview(s), your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate “see resume” are considered incomplete. By checking the ‘Yes’ response below, I indicate that I have read and understand the instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire. I understand that the written responses to the supplemental question(s) listed below are required in order to evaluate my qualifications for this position, and for my application to be considered.
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have twelve (12) months of experience as an Animal Care Attendant with the County of San Diego, and successfully passed the probationary period for said position?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have twelve (12) months of relevant experience within the last three (3) years as a Humane Officer or Animal Control Officer at a humane society or animal control agency?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have twelve (12) months of relevant experience within the last three (3) years handling and caring for domestic animals in a kennel facility, veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or explaining rules and regulations to the public in an animal related environment or public service capacity?
- Yes
- No
05
If you answered yes to either questions #3 or #4, please provide the following information:1) a detailed description of the type of experience acquired. 2) your job title3) years of experience (including start date and end date) 4) scope of responsibilities 5) the type and size of the facility (small, mid-size or large). 6) species and volume of animalsIf you do not have experience, please indicate N/A.
06
Have you completed at least thirty (30) semester college units from an accredited college or university with at least twelve (12) units related to animal control, criminal justice, or law enforcement? A copy of your degree/transcript or certificate of foreign equivalency must be submitted immediately with your application in order to determine your eligibility to compete.
- Yes
- No
07
Do you possess registration as a Veterinary Technician (RVT) with the State of California?
- Yes
- No
08
If you answered yes to question #7, please provide the RVT license number. If you do not have an RVT license, please mark N/A.
09
Working Condition: Are you willing to perform shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and stand by duty? Please note that if you object to this working condition, you will be disqualified from being placed on the eligible list for this recruitment.
- Yes
- No
10
Working Condition:Working Condition: Work is predominantly performed outdoors onsite and in person, driving, and in animal shelter environments in varying temperatures; exposure to excessive noise (such as barking dogs); aggressive and/or dangerous animals; animal waste and dead animals; dust, chemicals from cleaning agents/disinfectants; and sewage and zoonotic diseases. Are you willing to perform work in these conditions? Please note that if you object to this working condition, you will be disqualified from being placed on the eligible list for this recruitment.
- Yes
- No
11
Have you completed a California Penal Code 832 training course in any of the following areas? Please check all that apply.
- Arrest
- Firearms
- None
12
Please indicate if you have experience in any of the following areas. Please check all that apply.
- Conducting preliminary investigations
- Investigating animal hoarding or puppy mills
- Investigating cock fighting or dog fighting
- Issuing warnings or criminal citations
- Arresting suspects for felony crimes
- Writing reports for submission to a prosecutor or governmental agency
- Testifying in administrative hearings and /or criminal cases
- None – I have no experience in these areas
13
For the choices you selected in question #12, your work experience/duties and dates of employment MUST be verifiable in the employment history section of this application. If you answered no and do not have this experience, please indicate N/A below.
14
Please indicate if you have experience in any of the following areas. Please check all that apply.
- Building and maintaining positive working relationships with law enforcement and/or animal-related agencies when joint action is required
- Developing or providing unique animal-related programs for a community such as dog bite prevention or outreach
- Explaining laws and regulations related to the control and humane treatment of animals
- Responding to a disaster impacting people and animals
- Maintaining accurate records of daily activities
- None – I have no experience in these areas.
15
For the choices you selected in question #14, your work experience/duties and dates of employment MUST be verifiable in the employment history section of this application. If you answered no and do not have this experience, please indicate N/A below.
16
Where did you hear about this job opportunity?
- San Diego County website
- Governmentjobs.com
- Careers in Government
- Veteran Outreach
- County Social Media
- Family, Neighbors, Friends
- County Employee Resources Group
- College/University Career Site/Handshake
- Voice and Viewpoint
- Indeed.com
- California Animal Welfare Association
- National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA)
- Other
17
If you indicated other in the question above, please indicate how you first heard about this job opportunity, Please indicate “N/A” if not applicable.
Required Question