Animal Control Officer

County of Monterey • Salinas, CA

24d

About The Position

Monterey County Health Department’s Animal Services Bureau is seeking an Animal Control Officer to provide compassionate and effective animal services in Monterey County. The County provides operational oversight for Hitchcock Road Animal Services, a Joint Powers Agency serving the City of Salinas and County of Monterey. The Bureau provides field, sheltering, and licensing services and operates a facility that takes in approximately 4,000 animals each year.

Animal Control Officers provide field services including enforcement of local and state ordinances, citation issuance, pickup of stray, injured, and aggressive animals, animal-bite investigations, noise and nuisance complaint response, documentation, and public education on responsible pet ownership. Officers patrol assigned areas, respond to calls, investigate violations, safely capture and care for animals, maintain records, educate pet owners, and support rabies control efforts. They may also assist with dispatch duties and coordinate responses to animal-related incidents. The role combines fieldwork, problem-solving, and animal care in a fast-paced environment.

The position pays $4,839–$6,610 per month. The Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment. The eligible list may be used to fill current and future regular and temporary vacancies. Candidates hired into a temporary position are paid hourly and are not eligible for the benefits listed in the benefits summary.

Employment is contingent on acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States. Prospective employees may be required to undergo a background review, which may include review of employment history, driving record, and criminal convictions. The County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer, and provides reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

• Approximately one year of experience handling animals and dealing with the public, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, abilities, and employment conditions.
• Working knowledge of methods and techniques used in capturing, controlling, caring for, handling, and disposing of various breeds of animals.
• Working knowledge of state and local laws pertaining to animal control and licensing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to quickly assess situations and take appropriate action.
• Ability to exercise tact and good judgment when dealing with the public.
• Ability to prepare clear, complete reports.
• Ability to recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Successfully complete a background check, including fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters and emergencies.
• Exercise patience and care when dealing with animals; tolerate animal noise and odor.
• Exercise tact, self-restraint, judgment, and strategy when dealing with a variety of people, including friendly and hostile individuals.
• Tolerate the destruction of animals.

Responsibilities

• Patrol an assigned geographical area of the County and/or City of Salinas and transport animals in a specially equipped County vehicle.
• Respond to and investigate complaints concerning possible violations of animal control laws.
• Capture and impound stray, injured, unlicensed, vicious, or quarantined animals.
• Maintain accurate records, complete forms, and write reports.
• Issue citations for violations of animal control and licensing laws.
• Explain pet owner responsibilities to the public and participate in rabies control programs.
• Care for impounded or quarantined animals and release animals under appropriate circumstances.
• Destroy and/or dispose of animals when required.
• Serve as a dispatcher when assigned.
• Coordinate responses to animal-related incidents as needed.

Benefits

• The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package; details are available in the Bargaining Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet.
• Up to a $10,000 signing bonus for candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed