• Job Description

  Req#: 4711344

  
  

  * First Application Review Tuesday, November 12, 2024*

  
  Under direct supervision of the Public Safety Management, Manager, or Designee performs duties enforcing regulations regarding stray, nuisance, and dangerous animals; investigates reports of animal cruelty, abandonment and patrols assigned areas; collects and transports animals to the County Animal Shelter; and performs related work as required.

  Animal Control Officers are responsible for performing routine to moderately difficult animal control duties. After initial training, incumbents take a full range of action in conformance with state and local laws relating to the safety, health, welfare, and control of both domestic and wild animals. Incumbents have frequent interactions with the public to explain laws and regulations relating to the care and control of animals and may issue citations and/or notices in connection with violations. Work requires the application of approved methods, techniques and devices in the pickup and capture of injured, sick and vicious animals to avoid or minimize personal risk.

  These functions are representative and may not be present in all positions of the class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind related duties and work assignments.

  1. Patrols assigned areas in City vehicles; captures stray and unlicensed animals for impounding; transports injured animals; assists other agencies such as Los Angeles Sheriff's Department with issues involving domestic and wild animals (i.e., coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, etc.).

  2. Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals; investigates animal bites, arranging for proper identification and quarantine; approves and monitors home quarantine of biting animals in accordance with regulations; traps, snares and captures animals; transports sick and dead animals, as well as unlicensed and stray animals to the County Animal Shelter.

  3. Investigates complaints regarding animal cruelty and neglect; inspects premises where animals are kept to ensure that animals' food, water, sanitation, and housing are adequate; enforces City/State ordinances governing the keeping of animals.

  4. Explains filing of complaints and the operations and authorities of the animal shelter to the public laws and regulations relating to the care and control of animals; investigates complaints of stolen animals.

  5. Prepares and submits investigative reports and daily activity reports; collects evidence on animal-related cases and appears in court when required; issues citations for violations of laws and regulations; testifies in court regarding citations and disposition of complaints.

  6. Works cooperatively with personnel, coworkers, and the management team.

  7. Must be able to work independently as well as in a team, exercises tact, self-restraint, and good judgement; takes initiative to achieve positive, timely results for the organization with diplomatic skills and ethical conduct.

  8. Delivers professional level internal and external customer service; solves problems and communicates effectively with the public and fellow employees.

  9. Maintains records of violation notices, crime reports, lost and found animals, and humane education.

  10. May occasionally work irregular hours including evening, weekends, or holidays.

  Education and Experience:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent AND two (2) years of experience in the enforcement of animal control regulations or equivalent experience in care and treatment, licensing, and impounding of animals in a professional animal care facility or shelter. Fifteen college semester units in veterinary science, biology, criminal justice, or other related field may substitute for one year of experience.

  Knowledge of:

  • Basic species and breed identification for a variety of domestic and wild animals.
  • Symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other common animal diseases.
  • Animal behavior for common domestic and wild animals.
  • Proper animal-handling methods, techniques and equipment including methods for the capture of sick, injured or vicious animals.
  • State and City laws and regulations pertaining to the proper care and control of animals.
  • Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to animal control field operations.
  • Record keeping methods and radio dispatch procedures.
  • Appropriate procedures for issuing citations and testifying in court.

  Skill and/or Ability to:

  • Handle, capture and control animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency conditions.
  • Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing or destroying the animal.
  • Identify symptoms and behaviors associated with common issues including rabies, distemper, parvo, upper respiratory infections, parasites and other domestic and wild animal diseases.
  • Utilize and maintain a variety of animal control tools and equipment.
  • Safely operate assigned vehicles.
  • Learn the street layout and topography of the City of Carson
  • Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Exercise independent judgment and initiative without close supervision.
  • Read and interpret laws, regulations, manuals and other materials.
  • Employ safe work methods and safety regulations in field operations.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with animal owners, the public and others encountered in the course of the work.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

  License/Certificates:

  • Possession of a Certified Animal Control Officer (CACO) certificate in PC 832 or currently enrolled in the program and the successful completion of within one year of the employment required. A valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Require talking, hearing and vision (which may be corrected) to read small print.
  • Require use of hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
  • Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, walk, sit and talk or hear.
  • Must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  • Required to use close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Frequently work in extreme outside weather conditions and on uneven surfaces.
  • Exposed to dangerous, injured or diseased animals.
  • Exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne articles, toxic or caustic chemicals, zoonotic and other communicable diseases.
  • Frequently exposed to loud noise levels within confined areas.

  RECRUITMENT PROCESS
  

  Applications will be screened and evaluated for relevant training and experience. Applications must be complete and include any and all required documents. Only those applicants determined to be among the most qualified may be invited to participate in the recruitment process, which will consist of the following sections:

  
  - SME review, No weight
  

  -Oral Exam, weighted 100%

  
  

  The Human Resources Dep artment reserves the right to adjust, modify, delete and/or change the above exam types and/or weights.

  
  

  Supplemental questionnaires are used to evaluate applicant’s indicated abilities with the ideal candidate profile. Applications including "see resume" or other similar language will be deemed incomplete and disqualified from this recruitment. Applicants must achieve a cut-off score of 70% or above on each of the examination sections to be placed on the eligibility list. Passing any/all of the examination sections does not guarantee an invitation to the selection interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to invite those amongst the highest scoring to the next phase of the recruitment.

  
  

  Revisions to a testing component during a recruitment process can be made at the discretion of the Human Resources Department. Applicants will be notified by email if a revision is made. An eligibility list will be established in accordance with the City's Personnel Rules, Rule VI, Employment List Procedures.

  
  

  OTHER INFORMATION :
  
  The City of Carson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call Human Resources for assistance at (310) 952-1736.

  APPOINTMENT :
  
  Any offer of employment, or acceptance of an employment offer, is contingent upon passing live scan, background check and other tests. All new employees are required to take a loyalty oath.

  The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice. All statements made on the job application are subject to investigation and/or verification. Inaccurate and/or false statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligibility list or discharge from employment.

  IMPORTANT NOTICE : THIS POSITION IS OPEN

  CURRENT CITY OF CARSON EMPLOYEES :
  
  Please do not use your City of Carson email address as part of this application. You must indicate a personal email address in order to receive communications and/or notices from Human Resources throughout the recruitment process.

  
  

• About the company

  City of Carson, California 701 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745 (310) 830-7600

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