Animal Control Officer II

Salary : $45,231.17 – $63,323.63 Annually

Location : Camarillo and may travel throughout Ventura County, CA

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 0070ANM-23AC (KCR)

Department: Animal Services

Opening Date: 10/27/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

Description
WHAT WE OFFER

• General Salary Increases – Effective 12/24/2023 GSI of 4% and effective 12/22/2024 GSI of 3.5%
• Educational Incentive – An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate’s degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor’s degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate’s degree.
• Bilingual Incentive – Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Vacation Accrual – New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Vacation Leave Redemption – After 14,560 hours of continuous service an employee may elect to “cash in” or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave – Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Flexible Credit Allowance – Full time regular employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans: Tier one for employee only is $497 per pay period, tier two for employee plus one is $678 per pay period and tier three for employee plus family is $825 per pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan – Both the County and employees contribute to the County’s Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• Holidays – 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

VENTURA COUNTY
The County’s 1,873 square miles include 1,846 square miles of land with 42 miles of coastline which is home to the following cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Ventura County is a “general law” county, governed by a five-member, elected-by-district Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors appoint a County Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee the County budget, day-to-day operations, and to advise, assist, and act as an agent for the Board of Supervisors in all matters under the Board’s jurisdiction. It focuses on serving its residents by promoting engagement, strategy, execution and accountability to include diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure that all employees are treated with respect and without discrimination, and to improve culturally appropriate outcomes for community members.

ANIMAL SERVICES
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is an open admission, life-saving, municipal animal welfare agency in the County of Ventura. The Camarillo Shelter, the main shelter, is located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties and houses the Administrative Offices and Veterinary Hospital. The Camarillo Shelter has a 400-animal capacity which can increase to over 900 during declared natural disasters.

The Simi Valley Animal Shelter is smaller facility located three miles from Moorpark College and can house up to 40 animals. The Simi Valley Shelter, however smaller, offers many of the same services and opportunities as the Camarillo Shelter, such as the intake of stray and surrendered animals, pet adoptions, pet licensing, the reclaim of lost animals, and volunteer opportunities.

For more information on Animal Services access the website at

THE POSITION
The Animal Control Officer II, under direction, performs complex assignments in enforcement, licensing, rabies suppression, quarantine, vaccination, impound, euthanasia, education, community outreach, and humane disposal of animals in accordance with applicable departmental policies and procedures, rules and regulations and ordinances governing animal care and control.

The Animal Control Officer II is the journey level classification and incumbents are primarily assigned to field operations performing a wide variety of field duties independently. During critical incidents involving the health and safety or animals and/or humans, incumbents must demonstrate good judgment by analyzing situations and adopt an effective course of action.

The Animal Control Officer II is represented by the Service Employee’s international Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

TENATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: October 27, 2023
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: November 6, 2023
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Investigates animal bites for rabies and issues quarantine notices; determines if residence is suitable to quarantine animal; monitors and releases animal from quarantine at specified time;
• Updates records on impounds, activities, quarantines, treatments, euthanasia and disposals using Animal Services Records Management software;
• Keeps abreast of departmental policies and procedures, rules and regulations, State, city codes, and ordinances governing animal care and control; advices the public on licensing, fees, reclaims, relinquish, adoptions, rabies suppression, vaccination, leash law, and other animals care regulations;
• Patrols assigned area and supports other field units; responds, investigates, and processes animal related incidents and public nuisance complaints; investigate animal cruelty/neglect cases; tracks and records daily activities; writes and issues violation notices and/or court citations; collects evidence and may be asked to appear in court as a witness and/or to testify on facts related to animal violation;
• Identifies animals, recognizes illnesses, habits, and behaviors of various animals;
• Maintains and operates a radio-dispatch county vehicle and livestock trailer; captures both domestic and wild animals using specialized equipment and methods; transports captured animals to be humanely disposed and/or to be investigated for rabies;
• Administers injections to humanely euthanize animals in accordance with established laws and department policy;
• May be assigned to patrol and enforce leash law violations in accordance with established city ordinances;
• Works cooperatively with local agencies and law enforcement when joint action is required;
• May assist front office and/or shelter operation staff, assist with the animal intake process, issue animal licenses, collects fees, and issues receipts;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE Combination of at least one (1) year of experience and/or educational training which demonstrates the attainment of journey-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of, and maintenance of, a valid California driver license
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time, bend, stoop, reach, and lift/carry animals and equipment of 50 lbs. (with or without reasonable accommodation);
• Must be willing and able to work rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, 24-hour shift periods, routinely be on stand-by for emergency calls;
• Must be willing to work in all weather conditions;
• Must be willing and able to work various locations throughout Ventura County

Within six (6) months of employment must:

• Successfully complete a PC 832 course in Arrest, Search and Seizure and Firearms training,
• Successfully complete a department approved course leading to a certification in Euthanasia by Injection,
• Be proficient with the Department’s shelter software (Chameleon) program.
• Become skilled in towing a livestock trailer.

Experience:

• Working independently with minimal supervision,
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the public, department personnel, and other entities to achieve common goals.

NOTE: Effective writing skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

DESIRED
Experience:

• Complying with State, city codes, and ordinances governing animal care and control, such as enforcement, protection, licensing, impounding, leash law, rabies suppression, quarantine, treatment, legal liabilities,

Supplemental Information
Duties are performed primarily outdoors and include frequent exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals, dog waste, animal odors and hair, and loud environments including barking dogs and other animal vocalizations. Incumbents are required to wear a uniform during work hours.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Thorough knowledge of: departmental policies and procedures, rules and regulations, State, city codes, and ordinances governing animal care and control, enforcement, protection, licensing, impounding, leash law, rabies suppression, quarantine, treatment, legal liabilities; humane disposal of animals; causes and symptoms of common animal zoonotic diseases; proper use, maintenance, and storage of firearms; best practices to safely handle and care for domesticated animals, wildlife, and livestock.

Skills to: safely drive an animal control vehicle obeying all traffic laws; tow a livestock trailer; operate various tools required in the capture of animals; collect fees and service charges.

Thorough ability to: work independently in the field with minimal supervision; interpret, understand and apply departmental policies and procedures, rules and regulations, State, city codes, and ordinances governing animal care and control; interact with the public in a courteous manner when responding and/or resolving conflicts; remain calm during emergencies and in stressful situations; demonstrate good judgment by analyzing the situation and adopt an effective course of action; prepare detailed reports and other written material in a legible, concise, and accurate manner; testify in court; establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, department personnel, volunteers, and other agencies; recognize symptoms of common zoonotic diseases; handle all animals including sick, injured, dangerous, dead and decomposed animal remains in a safe and humane manner; use and carry small firearms, tranquilizer guns and other assigned equipment; humanely euthanize dangerous and sick animals.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Loc. # 1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another “merit” or “civil service” public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a “merit” or “civil service” style examination, then appointment by “Lateral Transfer” may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying

All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant’s qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying

All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION – 100%

A job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates’ knowledge of general animal control, animal health, and public service skills. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher in order to be invited to take the practical examination.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION – Pass/Fail

Candidates will be required to complete several job-related tasks where essential job duties and the job environment are simulated. The method of completing the tasks, the time required, and the final product are scored and evaluated. Practical exams may also encompass actual job performance in the position and/or successful completion of any required job training.

Candidates must pass both the written exam and the practical exam in order to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, examinations may not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) would be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST

Candidates successfully completing both the written exam and the practical exam may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help for this and similar vacancies only. There are currently three (3) Regular vacancies.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record is required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For more information about this recruitment, please contact Katie Reynolds by e-mail at katie.reynolds@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2629.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• or you may call (805) 654-2570.

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS

01

Are you able to stoop, lift, carry and/or move animals and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you willing and able to successfully complete PC 832 course in Arrest, Search and Seizure and Firearms training within six (6) months of employment?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you willing and able to successfully complete a Department approved course leading to a certification in Euthanasia by Injection within six (6) months of employment?

• Yes
• no

04

Are you willing and able to learn and become proficient with the Ventura County Animal Services Animal Management software program (Chameleon) within six (6) months of employment?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you willing and able to work in Simi Valley, Camarillo and various locations throughout Ventura County?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing and able to work rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you willing and able to provide a current, valid driver license issued by the State of California at the time of hire? NOTE: Driver license must remain current and valid as a condition of continued employment.

• Yes
• No

08

Are you willing and able to wear a uniform during work hours?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you willing and able to successfully become skilled at driving a livestock trailer within six (6) months of employment?

• Yes
• No

10

Describe your work and/or volunteer experience handling and caring for domesticated animals, wildlife and/or livestock. Include:
A) Employer(s) where you gained this experience
B) Specific type of animals handled and cared for
C) Specific duties performed

NOTE: Work or volunteer experience must be included in the Work History section of your application to be qualifying.

If you do not have this experience type, “None.”

11

Describe your work and/or volunteer experience complying with State, city codes, and/or ordinances governing animal care and control, such as enforcement, protection, licensing, impounding, leash law, rabies suppression, quarantine, treatment, legal liabilities. Include:
A) Employer(s) where you gained this experience
B) Specific codes and ordinances with which you complied
C) Specific duties performed in compliance with these codes and ordinances

NOTE: Work or volunteer experience must be included in the Work History section of your application to be qualifying.

If you do not have this experience type, “None.”

12

Describe your work and/or volunteer experience establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the public, department personnel, and other entities to achieve common goals, Include:
A) The employer(s) where you obtained this experience
B) Describe the various stakeholders involved
C) Provide a brief example of your interactions with each type of stakeholder cited in B)
D) Give at least one example of a conflict you were able to bring to a satisfactory result.

If the experience cited in answer to this question is not in the Work Experience section of this application, it may not be qualifying.

If you do not have this type of experience, please state, “None.”

13

Describe your experience working independently with minimal supervision. Include:
A) Employer(s) where you obtained this experience
B) Duties performed

NOTE: Work or volunteer experience must be included in the Work History section of your application to be qualifying.

If you do not have this experience type, “None.”

Required Question