Animal Services Officer I

County of Yolo•Woodland, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one (1) regular, full-time position in the class of Animal Services Officer I (ASO I) in the Animal Services Division at the Department of Community Services (DCS). Under supervision, the ASO I receives and cares for dogs, cats, and a variety of other animals housed at the Animal Shelter. Incumbents learn to enforce state laws and local ordinances related to animal licensing, impoundment, and public safety, and perform related duties as assigned. This is an entry-level training classification within Animal Services. Positions in this class are responsible for supporting daily shelter operations, including feeding, cleaning, and maintaining a safe, sanitary, and orderly environment. Incumbents are trained in field and enforcement activities, including animal control, rabies prevention, and licensing compliance. Animal Services in Yolo County provides animal control services by contract to the County’s four incorporated cities, University of California, Davis, and unincorporated areas, offering a broad range of learning opportunities across both shelter and field operations. The ideal candidate is a proactive, resilient professional with a strong commitment to animal welfare and public safety. They bring hands-on experience working with a variety of animals and demonstrate confidence handling, assessing, and caring for animals in both shelter and field environments. This candidate demonstrates sound judgment and composure in challenging situations, communicates effectively with diverse community members, and approaches enforcement responsibilities with professionalism and integrity. They show strong potential to develop skills in de-escalation, complaint resolution, and accurate, timely report writing. Highly adaptable and dependable, the ideal candidate thrives in physically demanding and unpredictable conditions, maintains a clean and organized workspace, and quickly learns and applies laws, procedures, and safety protocols. They consistently balance compassion for animals with accountability to the community, reflecting the service-driven values of Yolo County.

Requirements

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
Six months of full-time paid or volunteer experience working with domestic animals, livestock, and/or wildlife, animal husbandry, shelter operations, and/or interpreting and enforcing laws or codes to the public.
Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license, Class C or higher.
Pass a Department background investigation and Department of Justice LiveScan.
Possess a driving record without moving violations for a period of at least two (2) years prior to time of appointment.
Successfully complete a 25-week Shelter and Field Training Program, which includes weekly progress evaluations.
Possession of a valid Penal Code 832 Certificate (Arrest and Firearms). Applicants who do not possess the Certificate may be appointed, however, the required Certificate must be obtained within the first six months from the date of employment.
Willingness to work variable shifts and on standby involving nights, holidays, and weekends.
Willingness to be immunized against rabies and maintain immunity as long as risk of exposure continues.

Nice To Haves

Proactive, resilient professional with a strong commitment to animal welfare and public safety.
Hands-on experience working with a variety of animals.
Confidence handling, assessing, and caring for animals in both shelter and field environments.
Sound judgment and composure in challenging situations.
Effective communication skills with diverse community members.
Professionalism and integrity in enforcement responsibilities.
Strong potential to develop skills in de-escalation, complaint resolution, and accurate, timely report writing.
Highly adaptable and dependable.
Ability to thrive in physically demanding and unpredictable conditions.
Ability to maintain a clean and organized workspace.
Ability to quickly learn and apply laws, procedures, and safety protocols.
Ability to balance compassion for animals with accountability to the community.

Responsibilities

Receives and cares for dogs, cats, and a variety of other animals housed at the Animal Shelter.
Enforces state laws and local ordinances related to animal licensing, impoundment, and public safety.
Supports daily shelter operations, including feeding, cleaning, and maintaining a safe, sanitary, and orderly environment.
Performs field and enforcement activities, including animal control, rabies prevention, and licensing compliance.
Handles, assesses, and cares for animals in both shelter and field environments.
De-escalates situations, resolves complaints, and writes accurate, timely reports.