Animal Control Officer II

Under general direction performs duties in enforcement licensing rabies suppression quarantine treatment vaccination impound euthanasia and the humane disposal of animals in accordance with applicable departmental policies and procedures rules and regulations and ordinances governing animal care and control; performs other related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
Animal Control Officer II is the journey level classification in this series. Incumbents in this class are primarily assigned to field operations and perform a wide variety of field duties independently however during critical incidents involving the health and safety of animals and/or humans incumbents must demonstrate good judgment by analyzing situations and adopt an effective course of action.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Animal Control Officer classification in that the latter is the lead over Animal Services Officers. It is further distinguished from the Animal Care Technician classification in that Animal Care Technicians are primarily assigned to shelter operations.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE:Possible educational incentive of 2.5% 3.5% or 5% based on completion of Associates Bachelors or Masters degree. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Ventura County Animal Services

Animal Control Officer II is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term) Intermittent and Extra Help vacancies in Animal Services. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 5/21/2025
CLOSING DATE: 6/4/2025

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Keeps abreast of departmental policies and procedures rules and regulations State city codes and ordinances governing animal care and control; advises the public on: licensing fees reclaims relinquish adoptions rabies suppression vaccination leash law and other animal care regulations;
• Identifies animals recognizes illnesses habits and behaviors of various animals;
• Maintains and operates a radio-dispatch county vehicle and livestock trailer; captures both domestic and wild animals using specialized equipment and methods; transports captured animals to be humanely disposed and/or to be investigated for rabies;
• Updates records on impounds activities quarantines treatments euthanasia and disposals using Animal Services Records Management software;
• Patrols assigned area and supports other field units; responds investigates and processes animal related incidents and public nuisance complaints; investigates animal cruelty/neglect cases; tracks and records daily activities; writes and issues violation notices and/or court citations; collects evidence and may be asked to appear in court as a witness and/or to testify on facts related to animal violation;
• Uses tranquilizer guns for the capture and/or control of animals and/or administers injections to humanely euthanize animals as a last resort in accordance with established laws and departmental policy;
• May be assigned to patrol and enforce leash law violations in accordance with established city ordinances;
• Investigates animal bites for rabies and issues quarantine notices; determines if residence is suitable to quarantine animal; monitors and releases animal from quarantine at specified time;
• Works cooperatively with local agencies and law enforcement when joint action is required;
• May assist front office and/or shelter operations staff with the animal intake process license renewals collects fees and issues receipts;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Depending on assignment some combination of experience (at least one year) and/or educational training which demonstrates the attainment of journey-level knowledge skills and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time bend stoop reach and lift/carry animals and equipment of 50 lbs;
• Animal Control Officer II is required to successfully complete a PC 832 course in Arrest Search and Seizure and Firearms trainingwithin six (6) months of employment;
• Animal Control Officer II is required to successfully complete a Department approved course leading to a certification in Euthanasia by Injection within six (6) months of employment;
• Animal Control Officer II is required to be proficient with the Departments shelter software (Chameleon) program within six (6) months of employment;
• Must be willing and able to work rotating shifts including days evenings nights weekends and holidays 24-hour shift periods routinely be on stand-by for emergency calls;
• Must be willing to work in all weather conditions;
• Incumbents are required to wear a uniform during work hours;
• Must be willing and able to work various locations throughout Ventura County; and
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver license issued by the State of California as a condition of employment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Departmental policies and procedures rules and regulations State city codes and ordinances governing animal care and control enforcement protection licensing impounding leash law rabies suppression quarantine treatment legal liabilities;
• Humane disposal of animals and physical and behavioral characteristics of common breeds of dogs and cats; common species of indigenous wildlife;
• Causes and symptoms of common animal zoonotic diseases;
• Proper use maintenance and storage of firearms.

Skill to:

• Safely drive an animal control vehicle obeying all traffic laws;
• Tow a livestock trailer;
• Operate various paraphernalia required in the capture of animals and the ability to collect fees and service charges.

Ability to:

• Work independently in the field with minimal supervision;
• Interpret understand and apply departmental policies and procedures rules and regulations State city codes and ordinances governing animal care and control;
• Interact with the public in a courteous but firm manner when responding to and/or resolving conflicts;
• Remain calm during emergencies and in stressful situations;
• Demonstrate good judgment by analyzing the situation and adopting an effective course of action;
• Prepare detailed reports and other written material in a legible concise and accurate manner;
• Testify in court;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the public department personnel volunteers and other agencies;
• Recognize symptoms of common zoonotic diseases;
• Handle sick injured dangerous dead and decomposed animal remains in a safe and humane manner;
• Use and carry small firearms tranquilizer guns and other assigned equipment;
• Humanely euthanize dangerous and sick animals.

Supplemental Information:
Duties are performed primarily outdoors and required moderate to heavy physical activities and may include exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals. Incumbents must be patient and tolerant of loud environments (barking) dog waste odor and hair.