Animal Services Sergeant

Salary : $70,272.72 – $91,929.96 Annually

Location : Martinez, CA

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: BJTD-2023A

Department: Animal Services

Opening Date: 08/07/2023

Closing Date: 8/28/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA: Determined by Position

Bargaining Unit: QA

The Position

Why join Contra Costa County’s Animal Services Department?
The challenges and rewards of a career in Animal Services are extensive! Contra Costa County’s Animal Services Department is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of all people and animals in our community. We are currently looking to add one new Animal Services Sergeant to our dedicated team.

Are you great at performing various animal control functions and leading a team? This may be a good fit since a large function of the job is leading and providing direction to Field Services Officers. However, you may also have the opportunity to provide training to new officers! So, if you are looking for the next step in your career and want to make an impact on your community, apply today.

You will have a direct impact on enhancing the lives of the animals and residents in the communities we serve, while working with a great team who is passionate about what they do. It will be challenging, fast-paced, and never boring!

Watch this video to see what it is like to work for us:

We are looking for someone who:

• Is assertive and resourceful in nature
• Consistently demonstrates strong problem-solving skills
• Has the ability to quickly adapt to varying priorities
• Is able to work effectively with a diverse workforce and successfully lead Animal Services Officers
• Has a welcoming, professional, and compassionate demeanor
• Exercises the ability to maintain good judgment under pressure
• Has a thorough knowledge of common animal breeds and proper handling techniques

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing enthusiastic and detailed training to new Field Services Officers
• Acting as a lead for Field Services Officers
• Reviewing officer history reports daily
• Handling designated beat area challenges as needed
• Investigating and designating dogs under the Dangerous Animal Ordinance as appropriate
• Planning and holding ordinance hearings as required
• Responding to customer needs and requests for service as appropriate
• Educating and enforcing State laws and local ordinances as needed

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have autonomy in driving out the back gate and tackling your day as you plan it
• We have a strong team that works together cohesively
• We are educators at heart which drives our high customer service
• You will get to help animals and people
• You will receive and provide quality training

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to remain flexible as your day breaks off into many directions
• You will need to multitask by handling multiple issues at once
• You will need to stay late as needed

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Displaying Ownership & Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: Click Here
Candidates will remain on the established eligible list for six months.
Minimum Qualifications
License Required: Candidates must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate.

Certificate: Possession of a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic P.C. 832 Certificate. Appointees must successfully complete a California Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Certified P.C. 832 Level III Module or the equivalent within 12 months upon hire.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience providing customer service in a jurisdiction responsible for licensing, housing of animals and field enforcement of State and local animal control laws and ordinances, as an Animal Services Officer or an equivalent classification.

Substitution for Experience: Two (2) years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience as a law enforcement officer may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required animal control experience. Within the last five years, must have held a P.O.S.T. Certificate that meets or exceeds level II. There is no substitution for certificate requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years.

Background Check & Psychological Evaluation Requirements:
Must successfully pass a thorough background investigation and psychological evaluation conducted to the specifications of the State of California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and have no felony convictions in California or any other state or federal jurisdiction, or any conviction in any other state or federal jurisdiction which would be a felony in the State of California.

Physical and Psychological Requirements: Must meet such physical and psychological health standards as prescribed by the County Medical Consultant.

Firearms Qualification: Must maintain the authority to legally possess firearms, throughout employment. During employment with Contra Costa County must maintain firearms proficiency according to the Department standards.
Selection Process

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
2. Oral Interview: This will be an online, on-demand interview in which you will record your responses for someone to evaluate at a later date. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include, but are not limited to: Decision Making, Legal & Regulatory Navigation, Action & Results Focused, Displaying Ownership & Accountability, and Oral Communication.
3. Hiring Interview: TBD

TENTATIVE EXAM DATES

Oral Interview: Tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) from October 4 – 8, 2023.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alycia Leach at Alycia.Leach@hrd.cccounty.us For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to

01

The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their experience, education, and training for the Animal Services Sergeant position and to assist Human Resources staff in assessing each applicant’s qualifications. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to better understand your relevant experience, education, and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the recruitment process. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating “see attached application or see resume.”

• I understand

02

Are you 21 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid driver’s license?

• Yes
• No

04

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• I do not have a High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree or higher

05

Do you currently possess a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic P.C. 832 Certificate

• Yes
• No

06

How much experience do you have providing customer service in a jurisdiction responsible for licensing, housing of animals, and field enforcement of State and local animal control laws and ordinances, as an Animal Services Officer or an equivalent classification?

• I do not have any experience as described above
• I have less than one year of experience as described above
• I have at least one year, but less than two years, of experience as described above
• I have at least two years, but less than three years, of experience as described above
• I have three or more years of experience as described above

07

How much experience do you have as a law enforcement officer?

• I do not have any experience as described above
• I have less than one year of experience as described above
• I have at least one year, but less than two years, of experience as described above
• I have at least two years, but less than three years, of experience as described above
• I have three or more years of experience as described above

08

Have you held a P.O.S.T. Certificate that meets or exceeds level II within the last five years?

• Yes
• No

09

Appointees must successfully complete a California Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Certified P.C. 832 Level III Module or the equivalent within 12 months upon hire.

• I understand

10

If you are selected, you must successfully pass a thorough background investigation and psychological evaluation conducted to the specifications of the State of California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and have no felony convictions in California or any other state or federal jurisdiction, or any conviction in any other state or federal jurisdiction which would be a felony in the State of California.

• I understand

11

If you are selected, you must meet such physical and psychological health standards as prescribed by the County Medical Consultant.

• I understand

12

If you are selected, you must maintain the authority to legally possess firearms, throughout employment. During employment with Contra Costa County must maintain firearms proficiency according to the Department standards.

• I understand

13

By checking this box, I am confirming that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and on the application are accurate and true; and I understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will result in being rejected from this recruitment process, or released from future employment with Contra Costa County.

• I agree

Required Question