Animal Control Officer (ACO)

Peninsula Humane Society•San Mateo, CA

5d•$30 - $34

About The Position

The Animal Control Officer promotes humane care and treatment of animals through education and example. The role responds to animal-related situations, provides guidance to the public on animal welfare and applicable laws and ordinances, and carries out investigations and enforcement. The position is represented by Union Local 856 and is non-exempt and full-time. The officer handles domestic animals that are stray, sick, injured, aggressive, loose, confined, or in traffic; captures and transports wildlife; and performs technical animal rescues. The role also investigates animal-related complaints and dangerous or vicious animal incidents, documents evidence, issues warnings or citations, prepares and executes applicable warrants, and may work with city or district attorneys. Additional duties include managing rabies observation quarantines, assisting with veterinary exams and necropsies, removing deceased animals, supporting law enforcement and fire departments, providing testimony, and maintaining detailed daily records. The position involves public education and community outreach, humane care of animals in the Society’s care, interdepartmental collaboration, radio communications, and safe operation and upkeep of a PHS/SPCA vehicle. It requires sound judgment, professional conduct under pressure, compassion in end-of-life situations, and the ability to work without close supervision. A flexible schedule is required, including irregular hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and standby as needed. Applicants must pass a criminal background check and, upon hire, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, at least 18 years of age, and previous customer service experience. Prior animal-care experience is highly desirable. The employee must obtain California euthanasia-by-injection certification and training in decapitation for required rabies testing, hold a valid California driver’s license with a clean record acceptable for PHS/SPCA insurance, and complete a course in 832 PC within one year of employment. The employee must learn Chameleon database software within six months if not already proficient, and have basic Microsoft Office, keyboarding, and data-entry skills. Physical requirements include regularly standing, walking, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; occasionally sitting or driving; and frequently lifting or moving 50–75 pounds. Work frequently takes place outdoors and may involve exposure to zoonotic disease, aggressive or feral animals, toxic or caustic chemicals, potentially hostile members of the public, and driving in varied weather and road conditions. The noise level is usually moderate to loud. The position has designated start times due to time-sensitive duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Previous customer service experience.
Ability to manage the emotional aspects of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support staff during high-emotion circumstances.
Flexible availability for irregular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and standby as needed.
Ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire.
Strong commitment to animal welfare and humane treatment.
Ability to work effectively without close supervision and professionally under pressure.
Upon hire, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide a COVID Vaccination Card as proof.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; write simple correspondence; and present information effectively in one-on-one and small-group situations.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to work and communicate effectively with the public, employees, and volunteers.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including operations using units, weight measurement, and volume.
Common-sense reasoning, ability to follow detailed but uncomplicated written or oral instructions, handle standardized problems with a few variables, and demonstrate maturity and good judgment.
Knowledge of Chameleon database software or ability to become proficient within six months of hire.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or ability to become proficient, computer keyboarding skills of 30 WPM, and data-entry skills.
Must become certified to perform euthanasia by injection under California regulations and trained in decapitations for required rabies testing.
Valid California driver’s license with a clean record acceptable for PHS/SPCA insurance.
Must successfully complete a course in 832 PC within one year of employment as an Animal Control Officer.
Ability to regularly stand, walk, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; occasionally sit or drive; and frequently lift or move 50–75 pounds.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Prior professional or volunteer experience working with animals.

Responsibilities

Respond to stray domestic animals that are sick, injured, aggressive, loose, confined, or in traffic; return them to owners, transport them to the shelter, or obtain medical attention as appropriate.
Humanely capture sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife; transport it to the PHS/SPCA Wildlife Department or perform field euthanasia as directed by policy.
Perform basic and advanced technical rescues of animals in distress.
Use tact, self-restraint, judgment, and strategy when interacting with the public and addressing challenging situations.
Investigate suspected municipal code or state law violations, document complaints, issue warnings, and enforce regulations, including citations when appropriate.
Investigate dangerous or vicious animal complaints and permit violations, collecting statements and other evidence.
Prepare and execute warrants related to dangerous or vicious animal violations, and work with a City Attorney or District Attorney as necessary.
Write clear, concise reports and maintain detailed, accurate daily records, including Chameleon memos, forms, investigation reports, and supplemental reports.
Photograph animals and assist with veterinary exams and necropsies.
Follow up on animal bite reports by placing animals in and releasing them from rabies observation quarantine; deliver specimens to the San Mateo County Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing when applicable.
Remove deceased animals professionally and compassionately.
Educate the public and respond to inquiries about animal welfare and related concerns in accordance with PHS/SPCA policies and standards.
Assist law enforcement agencies and fire departments, including with search warrants, animal impounds when owners cannot provide care due to hospitalization or arrest, and assessment or capture of animals posing a public safety threat.
Attend administrative hearings and court dates and provide testimony as required.
Operate a two-way radio using proper radio codes and etiquette.
Follow traffic laws and safe driving practices; maintain a clean, fully stocked PHS/SPCA vehicle.
Maintain a daily activity report.
Participate in educational or community outreach events as required.
Provide humane care for animals in the Society’s care.
Work with other PHS/SPCA departments as needed.