Animal Control Officer 2

Class Characteristics

Under direction, to perform animal control work including responding to and investigating animal related complaints and violations, transporting and impounding animals, and enforcing laws and regulations governing animal control and animal care; to lead staff performing field and office enforcement of animal control laws; to lead the lobby functions of the County’s animal shelter; and to do other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Dog Services Division administers the County’s animal control program to enforce State and County laws and regulations governing the care, control, impounding, protection, licensing and disposal of animals. The Division also operates and maintains the County’s animal shelter which houses stray, dangerous and abandoned dogs.

The Animal Control Officer 2 responds, investigates, impounds, cares for and disposes of animals in accordance with State and County laws and regulations. The Animal Control Officer 2 also leads the work of animal control and licensing enforcement officers, and leads the work of administrative staff when they are performing lobby functions for the County’s animal shelter.  

The Animal Control Officer 2 differs from the Animal Services Manager who manages the activities and staff of the County’s Dog Services Division. The Animal Control Officer 2 also differs from the Animal Control Officer 1 who enforces dog ordinances, investigates complaints, and transports dogs to the shelter and has no lead work responsibilities, and from the Animal License Enforcement Officer which performs office and limited field work to enforce dog licensing requirements and issue citations for licensing violations.

Typical Tasks

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Leads the work of enforcement officers by providing technical guidance and enforcement strategies to resolving cases; trains and mentors staff in appropriate investigative procedures, case development, and hearings process; assists in coordinating ongoing training, including field staff safety and equipment usage; provides feedback to supervisor on employee performance for performance evaluations; reviews non-routine and complex cases with supervisor and staff prior to referral to issuance of citation; reviews cases and recommendations for court with the supervisor.
2. Coordinates and reviews dog services hearing case files, citations, and court proceedings; acts as liaison between Dog Services Division and other agencies including prosecutorial agencies, other related agencies, and other internal county agencies; responds to inquiries and complaints related to enforcement actions. 
3. Leads, provides direction and monitors administrative staff when they are performing lobby functions; trains, coordinates training, assigns and reviews work performed including customer assistance regarding reporting incidents, licensing, requests for service, and dog reclaim and impound;  prioritizes and coordinates assignments; provides guidance regarding customer assistance; receives and responds to requests and questions from the public, external agencies, other County departments; answers questions regarding shelter’s procedures and regulations according to established policies, regulations, statutes, and practices. 
4. Participates in the development, review, and revision of County ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures related to enforcement operations; researches and recommends technical and/or administrative revisions. 
5. Assigns, coordinates and investigates violations and complaints from the public including violations of dogs at large, aggressive dogs, neglect, bites, barking dogs, and other animal related issues; investigates reports of livestock damage by dogs; maintains accurate and timely investigation reports and documentation including entering and retrieving data from database. 
6. Works to resolve dog related complaints by educating and advising parties, offering direction on animal care, negotiating resolutions, and/or issuing warnings, citations for violations, and recommendations for restitution and/or restrictions to be imposed at hearing; communicates with the public in the field, by phone and by mail/email; handles field interactions with dog owners that may have fractious dogs and/or may be emotional/upset due to enforcement contact from Dog Services; interviews and obtains both oral and written witness statements; gathers evidence; prepares cases; presents cases, testifies and cross examines parties at hearings and presents testimony in other courts.
7. Assigns, coordinates and impounds stray and deceased dogs for transport; contains and captures biting and dangerous dogs for quarantine and court proceedings; picks up injured dogs; administers basic first aid and transports animals to veterinarian or the shelter; operates equipment used to handle and transport dogs and equipment carried for personal safety; coordinates with County’s Public Health Division as needed when quarantining dogs and complies with their requirements and processes. 
8. Responds to public inquiries and provides information explaining local laws and ordinances and other information related to the care, treatment, quarantine, and impounding of animals; presents information to the public about the characteristics and care of animals, shelter operations, field activities and regulations; attends and leads the work of staff attending outreach events to educate the public on laws, licensing and responsible dog ownership. 

Required Knowledge and Skills

Thorough knowledge of: Laws, regulations and policies pertaining to dog control; typical canine diseases and injuries; methods and techniques of canine care and handling; techniques of impounding stray, injured and fractious dogs.

Working knowledge of: Rules of evidence and procedures in compliance hearings; principles and techniques of negotiation; investigative procedures and practices; techniques of supervision and/or lead work and training; reporting and recordkeeping techniques; basic math and grammar.

Skill to: Communicate effectively and respectfully, both orally and in writing; comprehend and explain the laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantine and impounding of animals; evaluate complaints and violations, interpret and apply legal principles, and analyze problems and identify solutions; present cases at compliance hearings; deal courteously and effectively with the public; safely operate a motor vehicle; safely apprehend and transport injured, frightened or sick dogs; operate and maintain equipment used to capture or subdue animals; work independently; exercise effective leadership and lead the work of assigned staff; prepare reports and keep accurate records; establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff, other agencies, legal professionals, and the public.

Working Conditions

Duties require walking, stepping, twisting, squatting, reaching overhead, and the ability to lift up to 80 pounds having awkward size and shape, carry up to 50 pounds and 40 pounds while climbing stairs, and push/pull 50 pounds. Duties also involve exposure to loud noises, slippery and/or uneven surfaces, confined spaces and/or poor lighting, ammonia fumes, adverse weather conditions, hostile or angry people, and sick, injured, agitated, frightened or aggressive animals. Duties in the field are typically performed independently with radio oversight from the County’s Department of Communications (C-COM). 

As needed, required to participate in 24 hours/day emergency program services. 

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the minimum experience, education, licensure, and/or certifications required for employment in the classification. The following minimum qualifications are established for this classification. Additional minimum qualifications and special conditions may apply to a specific position within this classification and will be stated on the job announcement.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of related experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position.

Licenses/Certifications: None required.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Must pass a pre-employment drug test. 

Must successfully pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check.

Employment is contingent upon passing a post-offer physical assessment. Accommodation requests will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation.

Driving is required for County business to accomplish work.  Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.

CLASSIFICATION NO. 170
Established: 12/84
Revised: 8/15, 8/26
Edited: 7/18
FLSA: Non-Exempt
EEO: 4