Animal Control Officer I/II - Extra-Help Animal Control Officer I/II

Examples of Duties

This recruitment is established to obtain a current eligible list for both Full-Time and Extra-Help vacancies as they occur. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $19.99 - $22.04 per hour.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• May be assigned Duties in the Animal Shelter as required.
  
• Collects dog license fees, writes receipts and issues license tags.
  
• Transports sick or injured animals to the Animal Control Shelter or performs euthanasia on the spot if necessary.
  
• Daily delivers all animals collected to the Shelter and segregates those which have bitten a person or show signs of rabies or other disease.
  
• Answers complaints of the public concerning animals and takes appropriate action.
  
• Assists with the presentation of community service/public education program.
  
• Answers complaints of straying or marauding dogs and collects or destroys them.
  Makes house-to-house canvas for unlicensed dogs in the County area and issues notices for compliance with the County ordinance.
  
• Investigates reported inhumane treatment of animals, and animal bites; transports sick or injured animals to the Animal Control Shelter or kills them on the spot if necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Animal Control Officer I

Education:
High school graduation or equivalence.

Experience:
None required but some experience with caring and handling small animals is preferred.

Licenses:
Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Certificate:
Must posses or obtain a current Euthanasia by Injection Certificate within six months of hire date.

Must posses or obtain a valid Penal Code 832 Certificate (laws of arrest, search and seizure, firearms) within one (1) year of employment. Any employee failing to obtain this certification will be terminated from employment.

Animal Control Officer II

Education:
High school graduation or equivalence.

Experience:
One (1) year of experience comparable to an Animal Control Officer I in Merced County.

Licenses:
Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Certificate:
Possession of a valid Penal Code 832 Certificate (Firearms and Laws of Arrest).
Possession of valid Euthanasia by Injection certificate

THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
  
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions, and prepare reports.
  
• Communicate effectively with others in person, in writing, and over the telephone.
  
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
• Conduct field activities on uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
  
• Physically restrain animals.
  
• Operate with safety and accuracy small caliber firearms.
  
• Drive a light truck safely and in accordance with traffic laws.
  
• Proper euthanasia techniques.
  
• Frequent use of computers and various office equipment.
  
• Sitting or standing for extended periods, pushing/pulling, and bending/squatting.
  
• Frequent driving and occasional walking for extended periods over uneven terrain.
  
• Frequent lifting and carrying of 5 to 50 pounds and occasional lifting and carrying of up to 75 pounds unassisted.
  
• Constant use of overall visual capabilities.
  
• Frequent use of color and depth perception, peripheral vision, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work.
  
• Normal dexterity with constant holding, frequent grasping, reaching, repetitive motion, and climbing stairs or ladders.
  
• Constant hearing normal speech, hearing/talking on the radio, telephone and in person. Occasional public presentations.
  
• Occasional exposure to emergency situations, animal related trauma, grief, or death.
  
• Frequently work alone and travel with some assignments require working weekends, nights, overtime, and holidays, early morning or late evening.
  
Frequent exposure to outdoor/indoor conditions including noise, heat/cold, dust, chemical residues, allergens, odors, and biohazards.

Regular attendance is an essential function.

• County and State ordinance and laws relating to the care, treatment and impounding of animals.
  
• Provision relating to the collection and deposit of dog license receipts and penalties.
  
• The care and feeding of various breeds of dogs and animals and the common diseases of animals and their symptoms.
  
• Basic methods of animal collections.
  
• Safe and efficient handling of large and small animals.
  
• General Law enforcement functions and procedures.
  
• Characteristics of animal behavior.

• Carry out oral and written directions.
  
• Work cooperatively and effectively with fellow employees and the general public.
  
• Read, interpret and enforce Animal Control Laws, ordinances, and regulations.
  
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public when providing information and carrying out enforcement activities.
  
• Operate firearms safely.
  
• Exercise good judgment in handling potential hostile individuals/situations.
  
• Write or print legibly using correct spelling and grammar.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7682