What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Services Officer position at County of Contra Costa?
Bargaining Unit: Local 1 - Agricultural & Animal Control Unit
Why join the Contra Costa 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 four new Animal Services Officers to our dedicated team. Individuals in this role are responsible for performing a variety of field animal control work, ensuring public safety by capturing and caring for sick and/or injured animals. 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!
But don't just take our word for it – click here to hear directly from our current Animal Services Officers about why they love this job!
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
- 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:
- Handling priority calls for service throughout the county, as well as secondary calls for service
- Driving a patrol vehicle and obeying all rules of the road while maintaining composure in heavy traffic
- Educating others about and enforcing animal laws as mandated by county ordinances and state laws
- Handling animals both in the field and in the shelter, and intaking all animals that come in from the field
- Communicating clearly in the field and with supervisors regarding cases, and documenting cases appropriately in report-writing systems
- Working under a chain of command in the Field Services unit
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 quality training
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You may work some overtime each week
- Some cases are tragic and may impact you emotionally
- Some days become extremely busy without extra staff to assist
- You may face hoarding situations that require assistance to manage
- You may encounter an aggressive animal or hostile dog owner or victim
Competencies Required:
- Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative) – Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
- Adaptability – Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
- Attention to Detail – Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Critical Thinking – Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
- Customer Focus – Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
- Displaying Ownership & Accountability – Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
- Informing – Proactively obtaining and sharing information
- Innovative Problem Solving – Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
- Oral & Written Communication – Engaging effectively in dialogue and communicating effectively in writing
- Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
To read the complete job description, please visit the website; https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/5282
Candidates will remain on the established eligible list for six months. License Required: Possession of 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. College level coursework in animal health care is highly desirable.
Experience: Six (6) months of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience providing customer service in one of the following areas:
- enforcement and communication of City and County codes, ordinances, and regulations, or
- humane care and handling of animals in a veterinary hospital, boarding facility or veterinary practice which must have included direct public contact providing information regarding entities’ rules, regulations and operational procedures.
Substitution for Experience: One (1) year of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience as a law enforcement officer, with possession of a California Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Basic P.C. 832 certificate, will substitute for the one (1) year of customer service experience.
Minimum Age Requirement: Candidate must be 21 years of age at the time of application.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
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 Requirements: Must meet such physical health standards as prescribed by P.O.S.T.
Certificate: Appointees must successfully complete a California Peace Officer's Standards and Training (P.O.S.T), Module III course or P.C. 832 equivalent within twelve (12) months upon hire.
Desirable Certification: Euthanasia Certificate that is recognized by the State Humane Association of California and the California Animal Control Directors Association.
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.
Desirable Qualifications:
- College Degree
- Training certificates (PC 832 or Module III or Basic Academy)
- Experience handling animals in any work situation
- Experience handling any domestic animals or livestock on a personal level
- Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
- Animal Services Officer Multiple-Choice Test: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the Animal Services Officer Multiple Choice Assessment. The multiple-choice assessment will be administered via a web-based platform. The multiple-choice assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Animal Services Officer classification. These may include but are not limited to: attention to detail, critical thinking, customer focus, professional and technical expertise, and teamwork. (Weighted 100%)
- Final Selection Interviews: These will be scheduled by the department once the eligible list is established.
TENTATIVE EXAM DATES
Multiple Choice Test: Tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) April 22nd through April 28th, 2025
Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.
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 Alex Johnson at Alex.Johnson@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ 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.
Salary : $67,029 - $87,687
