Animal Control Officer

County of Orange•Santa Ana, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Officer is a journey-level civilian position in Orange County’s animal care and control occupational series. The officer protects animals and the public by responding to animal-related calls, investigating cruelty and neglect, rescuing animals, addressing aggressive-animal and rabies concerns, and educating residents about responsible pet ownership and applicable laws. The position includes independent field decisions as well as collaboration with other officers and community members. Assignments may include field work, office work, dispatch or call-center coverage, and assistance with kennel, veterinary, or clerical operations, as determined by departmental needs. OC Animal Care operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Schedules rotate and may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Mandatory overtime may be assigned during emergencies, disasters, or unexpected staffing shortages. Officers work with domestic, wild, and exotic animals, which may be aggressive, injured, dangerous, or venomous. Work also takes place outdoors in varied weather and locations, in offices, residences, and other field settings, and may involve exposure to animal waste, blood, diseases, odors, chemicals, and law-enforcement activity. Some assignments involve assisting with humane euthanasia. The position requires substantial physical activity, including handling animals and lifting, carrying, pulling, or dragging up to 75 pounds for 50 feet. Applicants must pass a County background investigation and possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license. Within six months of employment, incumbents must obtain a California POST Penal Code §832 Laws of Arrest completion certificate. Certain assignments require additional humane-euthanasia training and certification, including training needed to legally possess, use, and transport controlled substances for that purpose. Incumbents must be able to use a respirator for certain duties and pass a respiratory fit test.

Requirements

Pass a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County of Orange.
Possess and maintain a current, valid California Driver’s License, Class C.
Obtain a certificate of successful completion for a California POST Course, Penal Code §832 Laws of Arrest, within six months of employment.
Be able to legally possess, utilize, and transport controlled substances for humane euthanasia when required by assignment.
Use a respirator for certain job duties and pass a respiratory equipment fit test.
Meet the physical demands of handling and restraining animals; walking, running, and maneuvering on uneven ground; standing for extended periods; and lifting, carrying, pulling, or dragging up to 75 pounds for 50 feet.
Meet the sensory and communication requirements for reading, writing, computer use, radio operation, and communicating in person, by phone, and by radio.
Maintain mental stamina and resilience while solving problems and working around stressful situations, injured or deceased animals, aggressive animals, and upset members of the public.
Work rotating shifts, which may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and accept mandatory overtime when needed.
A foreign degree, if used to meet a qualification, requires evaluation of U.S. equivalency by a N.A.C.E.S.-member agency.

Nice To Haves

Valid PC 832(a) Laws of Arrest certification, or at least 40 hours of training from the National Animal Care and Control Association, Code 3 Associates, the National Animal Cruelty Investigations School, or a comparable program.
Certification in Humane Euthanasia.
Training, knowledge, or experience in care and safe handling of domestic or wild animals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Chameleon software, and ability to read, understand, and apply academic material.
Ability to read, comprehend, and accurately apply written materials and instructions.
Skill in conflict management and de-escalating tense or hostile situations.
Knowledge of legal procedures, the criminal justice system, or the animal control industry.
Experience in a professional enforcement setting.
Effective verbal and written communication, including confidently and clearly exchanging information and preparing accurate, concise documents.
Ability to interpret and follow verbal and written instructions, listen actively, and document, recall, and recreate detailed conversations or events.
Ability to communicate professionally, tactfully, and with social awareness with members of the public in diverse situations.
Knowledge or experience in conflict resolution or tactical communication.
Ability to provide courteous, professional customer service and use problem-solving strategies in stressful or complex situations.
Ability to anticipate and respond to internal and external customer needs.
Ability to make decisions under routine, highly stressful, or environmentally difficult conditions; solve complex problems; organize and prioritize competing tasks; work independently; meet goals and deadlines; adopt best practices; and remain accountable for performance.

Responsibilities

Patrol assigned areas in a vehicle and complete work assignments received during briefings or by other means.
Safely capture, secure, handle, and transport domestic, wild, and exotic animals in varied circumstances.
Assess injured or sick animals, determine appropriate care, issue notices as needed, and coordinate wildlife rehabilitation when feasible.
Communicate professionally in person and by two-way 800 MHz radio, including use of codes and the phonetic alphabet.
Promote compliance with County and State animal care and control laws.
Engage with the public safely and professionally, including in tense or challenging situations.
Prepare legible, concise, and accurate written reports, patrol logs, and other materials.
Investigate and document animal cruelty and neglect reports.
Safely impound aggressive dogs, document incidents, and take appropriate follow-up action.
Investigate animal bites and reports of aggressive animals.
Assist other officers by receiving and dispatching calls for service.
Educate the public about County and State laws, animal care standards, and responsible pet ownership.
Rescue animals from circumstances that may endanger their health or well-being.
Testify in court or administrative hearings as needed.
Collect and transport deceased animals from public and private property.
Depending on assignment, provide field, office, dispatch/call-center, kennel, veterinary, or clerical support.
In certain assignments, perform or assist with humane euthanasia of animals.