ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER I

Department of Animal Care and Control – one of the largest and most progressive animal control agencies in the United States. Our seven animal care centers serve over 3 million residents across 45 contract cities and unincorporated areas, covering a diverse area of more than 3,400 square miles with 24/7 animal control and rescue services.

About the role

Under general supervision, enforce State, County, and City codes and ordinances governing animal control, including the care and treatment, impounding, quarantine, licensing, vaccination, and regulation of a variety of animals.

Responsibilities

• Patrol an assigned geographical area in a light truck observing for violations or respond to incidents.
• Capture both domestic and wild animals using equipment and methods appropriate for animal abatement and control; may require chasing, climbing fences, and crawling under houses.
• Inspect animal facilities to ensure conformance to laws; explain violations and need for correction of poor sanitary conditions, inadequate food, and over-crowded conditions.
• Issue citations, licenses, warnings, and/or legal notices; enforce licensing laws.
• Assist a Registered Veterinary Technician by prepping and restraining animals for vaccination or euthanasia.
• Assist a veterinarian in a spay and neuter clinic or during euthanasia, as needed.
• Serve as office information officer and radio dispatcher; receive in-person and telephone requests for information and animal control services from citizens and public agencies, and dispatch officers to routine incidents, as needed.
• Report to a field command post established to provide extended hours of animal containment, capture, and relocation in emergencies such as brush fires, floods, or animals loose on public thoroughfares, as needed.
• Testify in court as to facts related to violations of animal control laws, as needed.
• Present departmentally prepared and approved educational programs including tours, lectures, slides, and demonstrations at schools and civic meetings, as needed.
• Pick up small dead animals manually and large animals such as horses or cows using a truck-driven winch and harness, as needed.
• Provide assistance in office operations or in kennels, as needed.

Requirements

• Six months of full-time paid experience at the level of Animal Care Attendant I* in an animal regulatory agency.
• Possession of certification indicating successful completion of a department-sponsored training program per California Penal Code Section 832** is required within six months of appointment as a condition of completing probationary status.
• Valid California Class C Driver License; a valid California Class B Driver License may be required. The required license must be current and unrestricted; conditional, provisional, probationary, or restricted licenses will not be accepted.

*Experience at the level of Animal Care Attendant I refers to training and practical experience in the care of impounded animals; the maintenance and operation of an animal shelter; and enforcement of State, County, and City codes and ordinances governing animal control. This includes performing assigned duties in support of maintaining animal shelter facilities in a clean, groomed, and sanitary condition, learning the habits and behavior of various animals, and the methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in receiving, restraining, feeding, caring for, releasing, grooming, or dispatching animals.

**If candidates possess a copy of a P.C. 832 Certificate (Penal Code Section 830.9 required training in order to issue citations and serve warrants for Animal Control Officers) prior to being hired, they must inform the hiring department and present a copy at the time of appointment.

Physical demands

Physical Class IV – Arduous: Frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. Includes positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity, such as those in Safety positions.

Additional information

• Appointees may be required to work any shift including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Out-of-class work experience in the service of the County of Los Angeles will not be accepted for this examination.
• Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
• Applicants must obtain a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job.