Polk County Animal Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Del Norte County Department of Animal Control is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Animal Control Officer I/II. This position is classified as full time. Enforces a variety of animal control regulations for the County; collects, transports and cares for impounded animals; and performs various duties related to animal control and dog licensing. This classification consists of responsible technical duties at a journey-level. Employees in this classification receive limited supervision within a framework of standard policies and procedures.

Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Enforces County Animal Control ordinances governing the licensing, impounding, and disposal of animals.
• Patrols areas for which our department is responsible to locate, capture, and impound small and large animals.
• Promotes responsible pet ownership by explaining local laws, codes and ordinances relating to the care and control animals, filing of complaints and policies of the shelter to the public.
• Issues notices of violation and citations to owners of animals in violation of County codes.
• Testifies in court regarding citations, potentially dangerous or vicious dog declarations, humane services, and the disposition of complaints.
• Performs various kennel care duties such as feeding impounded animals and cleaning cages.
• Collects fees for and issues dog licenses, maintains records of licensing and impounding of dogs.
• Releases impounded animals to owners and processes adoption by new owners.
• Investigates complaints of animal bites, verifying rabies vaccination and enforcing dog bite quarantines as needed.
• Identifies symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary care, isolation or other appropriate care.
• Investigates complaints regarding inhumane treatment of animals, conducts the seizure of neglected and/or abused animals when necessary.
• Maintains records and prepares daily reports of work performed.
• Collects injured, diseased, or dead animals, obtaining veterinary care for injured animals as required.
• Investigates and takes appropriate action on complaints of livestock straying on roads or private property.
• Assists in the assessment of animal temperament.
• Provide basic medical care to animals such as administering medications, changing dressings and treating minor injuries that do not require veterinary attention.
• Performs related duties as needed.

Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Education :

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a basic Animal Control Officer training certification program such as the National Animal Care & Control Association (e.g. ACO I certificate), or equivalent, within the first 12-months of employment.

Animal Control Officer II: In addition to the above:

• At least two (2) years of experience as an Animal Control Officer I or similar position.
• Successful completion of an advanced Animal Control Officer training certification program such as the National Animal Care & Control Association (e.g. ACO II certificate) within the first 12-months of placement at Step II.

Desirable Qualifications :

• AA/AS degree or higher in animal husbandry, animal science, criminal justice, public administration, or other field applicable to the position.
• Prior experience as an Animal Control Officer or related position with a governmental agency.

Special Requirements :

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's license.
• All County of Del Norte employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County of Del Norte requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Knowledge of:

• The laws and regulations governing the licensing, humane treatment, quarantine, and impounding of small animals.
• Symptoms of rabies and other common diseases affecting small animals.
• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic and common wild animals.
• Safe work practices.
• Methods of conducting inspections and investigations as they pertain to the Animal Services Division.

Ability to:

• To control and care for small animals effectively and humanely.
• To interact with the public in an effective and tactful manner, often under stressful conditions and dealing with hostile or irate citizens.
• To respond to routine to difficult inquiries, complaints and requests for service and determine appropriate resolutions and/or enforcement actions, often in stressful situations.
• To gather, analyze and process information and evidence for investigative purposes while ensuring confidentiality when appropriate.
• To effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of community individuals, groups and/or officials.
• To obtain certification from the National Animal Control Association.
• To work weekends, holidays and irregular hours as needed.