Senior Animal Services Officer

Description

Recruitment Timeline

Screening for Minimum Qualifications: 08/11/2025 - 08/13/2025
Screening for Best Qualified: 08/14/2025 - 08/15/2025
Interviews: 08/25/2025

To perform a variety of technical and specialized duties related to the enforcement of various City and state Animal Services ordinance, regulations, and laws governing the care and keeping of livestock and wild and domestic animals in the City; investigate complaints regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals and issues appropriate citations; transports animals to City designated shelter; prepare written reports for prosecution of local ordinances and state law; provide public information and education to citizens and community groups regarding animal services; and to perform other duties related to humane animal protection and control.

Examples of Duties

• Performs a full range of related duties in support of department operations; participates in the development and implementation of Animal Services Division goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development of new program elements and program modifications as necessary to meet goals and objectives; monitors and coordinates the daily operation of assigned program areas; and performs analytical work and maintains appropriate records and statistics.
• Receives assignments, schedules and organizes work and leads Animal Services staff in the completion of duties; performs or assists with the most difficult and complex work.
• Trains Animal Services staff in all aspects of Animal Services operations.
• Enforces applicable Animal Services codes and licensing ordinances; issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; files criminal complaints with City Attorney or District Attorney; testifies in court or administrative hearings regarding citations and disposition of complaints as necessary.
• Responds to and conducts the investigation of complaints regarding animal cruelty and abuse.
• Patrols area to capture and confine wild, stray and unlicensed animals; impounds sick, injured, stray, poisonous, dangerous, or trapped domestic and non-domestic animals; removes and disposes of dead animals from public and private properties; quarantines and disposes of animals as appropriate; transports animals.
  Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals.
• Investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.
• May perform and/or assist in the euthanasia of animals.
• Examines animal licenses for validity and issues warning notices and citations to delinquent owners; solicits payments and collects fees for animal licenses; issues receipts; maintains paper and/or electronic records.
• Works with other governmental agencies in the enforcement of Animal Services laws and regulations.
• Represents the City in administrative hearings. Provides guidance over administrative hearing process to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
• May assist law enforcement personnel when control/capture of vicious dogs is necessary during high risk operations.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Interprets laws, regulations, codes, and provisions for Animal Services staff and the general public.
• Operates and maintains a variety of Animal Services tools and equipment including humane traps, mobile radios, tranquilizer gun/rifle, and related animal services tools and equipment; keeps equipment and vehicle in clean and healthful condition to accept impounded animals.
• Provides public information and education to citizens and community groups regarding animal services policies and procedures; gives public presentations as necessary; educates the public on laws, codes, ordinances, and policies relating to the care and control of animals.
• Coordinates Animal Services activities with those of other divisions, outside agencies, and other organizations.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation of a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence related to Animal Services activities; maintains records concerning operations and programs; prepares reports on operations and activities.
• Prepares and recommends revisions to City codes and ordinances; monitors and analyzes applicable program legislation and determines the impact of new laws and regulations.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of Animal Services; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of the Animal Services program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
• Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of Animal Services programs.
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of common breeds of domestic animals and symptoms of common animal diseases.
• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of animals.
• Principles and practices of animal care and first aid.
• Methods and equipment used in handing various types of small and large animals, birds, reptiles, and livestock.
• Principles and practices of good team building and team leadership.
• Effective customer service and public relations practices.
• Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Advanced communication and conflict management skills.
• Pertinent state and local codes, ordinances, laws, regulations governing animal services such as licensing, quarantine, impounding, care, adoption, releasing and disposal of animals (domestic, exotic, wild).
• City services and organizational structure as they relate to animal services.
• Departmental Animal Services/humane treatment policies and procedures.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Basic arithmetic.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Procedures involved in methods and techniques of conducting and documenting field investigations, including collecting and cataloging evidence.
• Effective research and report writing.

Ability to:

• Coordinate and direct Animal Services programs.
• Operate a variety of Animal Services equipment in a safe and effective manner including instant release control poles, animal grasper, animal traps, raccoon/skunk boxes, animal gauntlets, snappy snares, snake tongs, dog leads, tranquilizer guns, injection equipment for humane euthanasia, and other equipment for control and capture purposes.
• Obtain information through a variety of interview techniques.
• Know the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal under stressful or emergency situations.
• Identify symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common animal diseases.
• Safely operate assigned animal services control motor vehicle.
• Enforce Animal Services rules and regulations.
• Train others in techniques and practices of animal control activities, including related safety and technical methods.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Coordinate and communicate with multiple departments and outside agencies in an effective manner.
• Appropriately interpret applicable codes, ordinances and regulations and apply interpretations to a variety of challenging, unique and difficult situations.
• Understand the organization, operation and services of the City and the Animal Services division; interpret and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Analyze, recommend and communicate appropriate solutions to complex and/or sensitive problems; appear in court and give testimony if required.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Maintain accurate, complete case files for hearings and court proceedings including all required documentation.
• Manage difficult customer complaints, public contacts and site visits; deal effectively, courteously and productively with angry and upset customers and members of the public.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget; project, track and reconcile expenses.
• Develop and recommend goals, objectives, policies and procedures for animal services; interpret and apply administrative and department policies, laws and rules; analyze situations carefully and adopt an appropriate, effective course of action.
• Make presentations to community groups.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on issues in area of responsibility.
• Use independent judgment and initiative in accomplishing work assignments.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Develop written materials related to Animal Services activities for dissemination to the public.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Make simple arithmetical calculations.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications with proficiency and familiarity.
• Use principles of effective office safety including use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintenance of safe housekeeping in personal and common workspaces.
• Provide high quality, economical services to the Citrus Heights community, placing emphasis on responsive customer service.
• Demonstrate a civic entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training :
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience :
Two years of journey level experience similar to Animal Services Officer II in the City of Citrus Heights with responsibilities including the enforcement of laws and handling of various animal species, both wild and domestic.

Two years of administrative and/or supervisory experience.

Training :
Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade is required.

Supplemental courses in animal health technology, animal husbandry, animal science or a closely related field is highly desirable.

License or Certificate :
Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
Possession of a POST approved P.C. 832 Certificate.
Possession of certificate of completion of Euthanasia by injection.
Completion of Level II Training by the National Animal Control Association (NACA) Training Academy, or the equivalent is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

Environment
Work is performed mainly in a field environment requiring travel from site to site with exposure to hot and cold temperatures, inclement weather conditions, a variety of domestic and wild animals, infectious animal diseases, animal wastes, animal bites, and allergens.

Physical
Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to travel to various locations, exert physical strength to gain and maintain control of large and often aggressive animals; lift and/or carry objects up to 75 lbs; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach; and twist; to lift, carry, push and/or pull moderate to have amounts of weight; to safely operate assigned equipment and motor vehicle; to operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard, and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision - ability to see, with or without accommodation, in the normal range.

Hearing - ability hear, with or without accommodation, in the normal range.

Working Conditions

May require irregular work shifts including evening, weekend and holiday shift assignments.

May require wearing of department approved uniform and related equipment in performance of duties.

The hiring salary may be set anywhere within the salary range, based on a candidate’s experience.

• RETIREMENT- CalPERS retirement (employee pays full member contribution)
  • Classic member 2.7% @ 55 (Employees hired with the City of Citrus Heights before 08/14/2011)
  • Classic member 2% @ 55
  • PEPRA member 2% @ 62
• LEAVE -
  • 136 hours of Annual Leave (to be used for vacation or sick time)
  • 40 hours of Long Term Medical Leave
  • 16 hours of Floating Holiday beginning Jan 1 each year
• HEALTH INSURANCE- monthly City contribution toward health insurance ($2375contribution for Family coverage, $1850 contribution for Employee + 1 person & $925 contribution for Employee only), or a $700/month stipend if alternative group health care coverage is demonstrated. City also provides Flexible Spending and Dependent Care account options that cover out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• DENTAL/VISION - fully paid family dental & family vision.
• LIFE INSURANCE - City pays $50,000 life for all benefitted employees, and long-term disability insurance. Optional life is available to employees at their expense.
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - Optional enrollment in a pre-tax payroll deducted 457 plan (Mission Square).
• SOCIAL SECURITY - The City does not participate in Social Security but does participate in Medicare and State Disability Insurance (SDI).
• Eligible for up to 2.5% education incentive pay
• Eligible for $100/month bilingual pay

Closing Date/Time: 8/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Citrus Heights

• 916-725-2448

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