Animal Protection Officer (3415 – Animal Care Field Officer)

Salary: $18.44 Hourly

Location : Ajo, AZ

Job Type: Part Time

Job Number: 2023-01097

Department: Pima Animal Care Center

Division: PAC PAC AJO

Opening Date: 07/14/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Position Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Salary Grade: 38

This part-time position is located at the Ajo Substation at 1249 North Well Road, Ajo, Arizona 85321.

Enforces state, city, and county animal care laws and ordinances and provides a variety of animal care field services in Pima County.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE WITHOUT COPY OF DIPLOMA OR GED.

Duties/Responsibilities
(Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)

Enforces state, city, and county animal care laws and ordinances governing such issues as dangerous and vicious animals, neglect, cruelty, excessive noise, quarantines, bite incidents, and license and vaccination requirements;

Patrols assigned areas to ensure compliance with animal care regulations and responds to routine and emergency animal care calls;

Controls and restrains potentially dangerous animals;

Assesses reported or observed violations of animal care regulations, makes determinations, and takes required action, such as issuing citations and complaints;

Provides field services including capturing domestic and wild animals, dispensing first aid treatment to animals, examining injured and ill animals to select treatment disposition, and removing animals from a variety of hazardous situations;

Provides information and education to the public covering a range of animal care topics including laws and ordinance, animal nutrition, behavior, injuries, and common diseases;

Operates and performs operator-level maintenance, servicing, and safety inspection of assigned vehicles;

Operates and performs operator-level maintenance for animal care equipment, such as control poles, nets, and traps in capturing animals;

Carries a department-authorized self-defense tool at all times while on duty;

Testifies in court on cases pertaining to animal care issues;

Prepares civil violation animal cases for hearings and court proceedings;

Provides information to attorneys and other authorized persons;

Assists federal, state, city, and county commissioned law enforcement officers as required;

Prepares manual and automated records and reports;

Gathers evidence on animal care cases, including photographs, tape recordings, and other information for presentation in court;

Conducts investigations of criminal animal cases and gathers, preserves, and analyzes facts and evidence;

Maintains legal chain of custody for evidentiary materials;

May perform animal euthanasia as directed by qualified personnel;

May prepare specimens for rabies analysis;

May dispense medication to animals at direction of qualified personnel;

May calculate and collect fees for animal quarantine, impound, and licensing services.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• symptoms of common animal health problems, species, and their habits;
• humane animal control, care, and handling;
• English grammar, word usage and spelling, and basic arithmetic;
• automated record-keeping, report preparation, and information-gathering techniques;
• operator-level maintenance requirements for animal care equipment and assigned vehicles;
• applicable state, county, and city laws and ordinances;
• principles and techniques of effective customer service and public relations.

Skill in:

• establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the public, department members, and others;
• managing situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially;
• interpreting and applying the laws and ordinances regarding animal care;
• preparing accurate records and reports;
• conducting an investigation;
• communicating effectively, both orally and in writing;
• reacting quickly and calmly in emergencies and stressful situations;
• capturing and caring for animals;
• use of automated information systems for tracking data, report generation, and information gathering;
• reading street guides and maps;
• providing the public with animal care-related information and education;
• performing operator-level maintenance and servicing of assigned vehicles and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write “see resume” on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

1. Paid or volunteer experience working with animals.
2. Education or experience in animal welfare, including animal control, sheltering, and rescue.
3. Education or experience in public safety.
4. Education or professional experience in social work, education, community organizing, or program development.
5. Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver’s license and access to a registered/insured vehicle for business travel is required (business mileage reimbursed) at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Items: Within two (2) months of appointment, employees must receive the full series of pre-exposure rabies immunizations. Medical inability to be immunized or previous immunization must be verified by the County Physician prior to employment. Recommended boosters are required for the duration of employment, unless medically excused or physiologically unable to develop immunity. May be exposed to a variety of infectious diseases, deceased animals, and humans.Some positions may require fluency in English and a second language as determined by the Department.The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require fluency in English and a second language as determined by the Department.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: This position will require a post-job-offer physical and drug screen. Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pima County provides access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for eligible employees and has an award-winning wellness program. Our plan is designed to ensure a high level of coverage and financial protection. Read more about our benefits program by

01

Do you have a High School diploma or GED certificate? (If “Yes”, please upload a copy of your diploma, GED or transcripts to your application. Application will be considered incomplete without the required attachment.)

• Yes
• No
• Pending

02

Are you willing to work in Ajo, Arizona? (Ajo, Arizona, located 120 miles west of Tucson, AZ.)

• Yes
• No

03

Are you Bilingual (English/Spanish)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question