Animal Services Officer

City of Fremont • Fremont, CA

6h • Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, serves as a member of the Animal Services team in providing a caring, humane environment in which to perform animal control services duties in the animal shelter and in the field; performs related duties as required. This is a journey level classification in the Animal Services Division of the Police Department, reporting to an Animal Services Supervisor. Assignments are rotated between the field and the Animal Shelter on an established schedule, and incumbents are expected to perform the full scope of the job in both areas of assignment. Assignments, objectives, and work methods are established by policy and procedure and incumbents assume responsibility for accomplishing work within those parameters. Work review is not continual but is conducted periodically; checks are integrated into work processes. Incumbents of positions in this classification work in the field, the animal shelter office, and the shelter's animal care area.

Requirements

• Knowledge of written and oral communication techniques; public relations; conflict resolution techniques; and common animal types and their normal characteristics and behaviors.
• Skill to administer injections.
• Ability to participate as a team member in the work of the Animal Services Division by understanding and implementing assigned duties and responsibilities to support team goals and objectives, working cooperatively with other team members, receiving and sharing information, soliciting input, identifying operational and interpersonal issues, and participating in the development of problem solving solutions; issue citations; learn, read, and interpret State of California laws and City of Fremont ordinances, policies, practices and procedures related to the administration of an animal shelter and animal field services; handle scared, injured, ill and aggressive animals; respond courteously and tactfully to customers in the field and in the shelter; represent the City in cases of violation of animal control laws; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.
• Possession of a high school diploma, GED equivalency or a high school proficiency certificate and one year of experience in the interpretation and enforcement of laws or codes, preferably related to animal and/or vector control work.
• Successful completion of PC 832 training by the completion of probation is required.
• Positions in this classification require possession of a valid Class C California Driver License; failure to possess or maintain a valid license shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, nights and rotating shifts; respond to emergency animal services assignments during off-duty hours; and wear a uniform.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in the interpretation and enforcement of laws or codes, preferably related to animal and/or vector control work.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned geographical areas of the City during assigned working hours.
• Picks up unleashed or dead animals.
• Investigates complaints.
• Investigates reports of animal welfare abuses.
• Prepares investigative reports.
• Recommends appropriate solutions to animal service requests.
• Investigates complaints of animal bites.
• Quarantines animals.
• Issues warnings and/or citations.
• Gathers information and obtains statements from the public on animals creating nuisances.
• Operates, cleans, and maintains animal control trucks and other animal control equipment.
• Receives stray and relinquished animals.
• Assesses animal health.
• Cleans and sanitizes cages and runs.
• Euthanizes injured and unclaimed animals.
• Maintains shelter records.
• Receives and responds to customer service requests either in person or on the phone.
• Provides information concerning animal behavior and care.
• Provides food and water to animals housed in the shelter.
• Receives fee payment for services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED