Animal Protection Officer

This position is 37.5 hours per week. 

This position investigates cases of animal cruelty, neglect, nuisance complaints and violations of the Revised Code of the State of Washington and Spokane County Code, and performs related duties in the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) Department. The position allocated to this class serves under the general direction of the Field Operations Manager, enforces Spokane County Code and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) as it relates to animals, including responding to citizen complaints regarding stray, injured, dangerous or unwanted animals and the investigation of cruelty to animals and animal bites reports. Educates the general public on animal related issues. Employees are required to deal with the public in a pleasant, tactful and courteous manner. Work is performed with considerable independence according to department regulations. The Animal Protection Officer classification is distinguished from the Animal Services Representative by focus on working in field enforcement rather than performing office administration duties.  

• Protects public safety and ensures animal welfare through compassionate, responsive, professional enforcement of laws and public policy.
• Captures, lifts, carries and detains stray and/or vicious animals.
• Writes and executes search warrants. 
• Collects evidence. 
• Uses a computer aided dispatch system. 
• Writes clear and objective reports, participates in court case preparation and testifies in court and administrative hearings.
• Answers questions, enforces ordinances and regulations and negotiates with the public in hostile situations.
• Issues citations to offenders.
• Picks up and transports dead and injured animals.
• Operates a 2-way radio and communicates with dispatcher while handling assigned calls. 
• Patrols areas for ordinance violations.
• Assists  other  animal   protection  officers,  law   enforcement  agencies  and   others  as necessary with emergency situations. 
• Investigates and resolves animal cruelty/neglect complaints, bites, dangerous dog violations and other violations of a serious nature.
• Investigates and resolves neighborhood animal nuisance complaints.
• Communicates with complainants, victims and/or suspects.
• Maintains assigned equipment. 
• Operates a department vehicle.
• Uses a computer regularly for report writing, CAD, documenting call notes, entering data when impounding animals, looking up licenses, researching prior violations, etc.  
• Euthanizes animals as required by departmental policy and loads animal crematorium. 
• Sells pet licenses.
• Works a schedule which may include weekend work; participates in a mandatory emergency on-call rotation, which may include call-outs on evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in the care and control of animals OR one (1) year of experience which involved enforcing and/or explaining laws and regulations to the general public (preferably law enforcement).
• OR any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.
• Applicants selected for Animal Protection Officer positions will be required to successfully complete the Washington State Board of Pharmacy legend drug certification within six (6) months.   
• Candidates must be commissioned by the Spokane County Sheriff within six (6) months of appointment.  Commission must be maintained throughout term of employment.  
• Candidates must successfully pass an integrity interview and a thorough background investigation.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.
•  Must reside 30 minutes of normal driving conditions from the Shelter.

• Knowledge of law enforcement procedures as needed to perform the duties of the job.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances and codes.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and characteristics of various breeds.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with volunteers, supervisors, staff, representatives of other agencies, special interest groups and the general public.
• Skilled in the use of personal computer and software related to performing the duties of the job, including demonstrating a proficient typing speed (minimum of 30 WPM).
• Ability to care for and treat animals in a humane manner under a variety of situations.
• Ability to handle frequent contact with hostile and abusive members of the public.
• Ability to use GPS, read maps, prioritize field calls. 
• Ability to deal courteously but firmly with citizens when enforcing county ordinances and   state code; be impartial to both sides of an issue and make fair and sound decisions.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to perform strenuous manual tasks in the handling of animals.
• Ability to work in conditions of extreme stress.
• Ability to be exposed to the possibility of animal attack while handling stray, injured, vicious and/or dangerous animals.
• Ability to compose relevant reports sufficient in clarity to be admitted as evidence in a court of law.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with people of various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Ability to participate in a required emergency and on-call rotation schedule.

Salary : $44,854 - $62,774