Placer County

To plan, organize, direct, and supervise county-wide animal control operations; to assist in the administration of the County's animal control activities including shelter and field services; and to act as a resource and liaison between community groups, private agencies, and other governmental jurisdictions for Placer County Animal Control.

The Supervising level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for a program area within a work unit or department. The Supervising Animal Control Officer classification not only performs supervisory duties but also performs a variety of administrative functions in support of the County's animal control program, with responsibility for county-wide animal control operations on a divisional level. This single position job class acts as the primary resource to management, staff, other county departments and work units, community organizations, and the general public regarding the technical and operations processes and procedures of animal control.

Receives general direction from Animal Services Manager and/or other management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned technical and clerical personnel.

• Supervise the day-to-day of operational and programmatic activities within the County's animal control program.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the sale of animal licenses, collection of fees, prosecution of violations of animal control ordinances and laws, and the impounding, releasing, sale, and/or destruction of stray or dangerous animals.
• Act as a primary resource and liaison regarding the technical and operational functions of the County's animal control operations, programs, and facilities; represent the County's animal control division on inter-agency task forces, special projects, and other community outreach activities as assigned.
• Recommend and implement goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for animal control activities including field and shelter operations; implement policies and procedures.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned programmatic, administrative, and operational responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Assist with adoptability or euthanasia decisions by providing behavioral input for sheltered animals during leadership and staff discussions.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for assigned personnel and equipment; monitor and control expenditures; prepare and maintain the program's equipment inventory.
• In the absence of the Animal Services Manager, assumes lead role for shelter, field, and office staff.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Direct the operations of the County's primary animal shelter in the absence of the Animal Care Supervisor and Animal Services Program Coordinator.
• Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups and animal related organizations when joint action is required.
• Provide direction, guidance, and training on animal control laws and procedures to cities contracted with the County for animal control services.
• Supervise and review the recording of all citations issued; assist staff in the investigation and preparation of formal complaints for court action against violators of ordinances and laws; prepare case files; assemble necessary documentation; submit and discuss cases with the Animal Services Manager and staff of the District Attorney's Office as appropriate.
• Set up maintenance schedules for tranquilizer guns, rifles, shotguns, and any other weapons required in the performance of animal control duties to ensure that they are kept in safe operating condition.
• Investigate complaints of potential violations to achieve compliance with pertinent state laws and local ordinances.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Assist with planning and implementing animal control activities in response to emergency and disaster incidents as needed or required.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Supervise, monitor, and train staff in technical functions such as the practice of euthanasia, enforcement of quarantine procedures, and the handling and impounding of large and small domestic and wild animals in order to assure public safety and animal welfare.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in caring for, licensing, impounding, and disposing of animals in a public animal control program, including one (1) year performing lead or supervisory functions.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Possession of a certificate showing successful completion of the P.O.S.T. training requirements for Penal Code 832 Arrest and Firearms Training.
• Possession of a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit within twelve (12) of employment.
• Possession of a certificate in euthanasia procedures.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of animal control, care, and custody.
• Equipment, tools, and materials used in animal control, including feeding, kenneling and general handling of large and small animals.
• Causes, symptoms, and safe handling of rabid and diseased animals; legal regulations, reports, and procedures for handling rabies.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles of budget monitoring and inventory control.
• Principles and practices of safety management and public health practices.
• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, and rules.
• Animal behavior terms and definitions.
• Legal liabilities and responsibilities of those concerned with the enforcement of animal control regulations and laws.
• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory; use and care of firearms, chemical agents, baton, and other related law enforcement equipment and tools.
• Various breeds of animals and their care and feeding.
• Standard and accepted practices of documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting for compliance with pertinent state and local guidelines and regulations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; analyze work papers, reports and special projects; understand, identify, and interpret technical and numerical information; read, understand, recall, interpret, and explain animal control policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of work with interruptions; handle multiple tasks at once and work with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine proper course of action; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk or in vehicle for long periods of time; walk and stand during field activities; intermittently bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, balance, climb, or twist while working in the field or shelter operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to examine and assess animals and safety conditions; occasionally lift very heavy weight.
• Organize, implement, and direct animal control operations and activities.
• Use chemical restraints, tranquilizers, and traps; oversee euthanasia of animals with weapons or chemical immobilizers in a safe and humane manner.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Resolve confrontations in a sensitive manner; exercise tact and good judgment.
• Gather evidence; prepare a case for court; testify in court.
• Care for and safely handle animals, both large and small, including livestock.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Work shifts, standby, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.