Extra Help - Animal Services Officer

Proposed Hiring Process:

Initial Application Period: 4/14/2025 - 05/02/2025

Screening for Best Qualified: 5/5/2025 - 5/9/2025

Hiring Interviews: TBD

• 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.
• 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.
• Assists 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.
• Assists in the development and implementation of Animal Services Division goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• 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 and outside agencies and organizations.

• Work scheduled and emergency overtime; be available for on-call/stand-by and call back, as required; and to change work periods and work days dependent on operational requirements of the City.
• 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.

• 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.
• Operations, services, and activities of Animal Services programs.
• Methods and equipment used in handing various types of small and large animals, birds, reptiles, and livestock.
• Effective customer service and public relations practices.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to animal services.
• Pertinent state and local codes, ordinances, laws, regulations governing 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.

• Perform a variety of Animal Services activities.
• 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.
• Learn to assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal under stressful or emergency situations.
• Learn to 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.
• 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.
• Learn to participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Learn to obtain information through a variety of interview techniques.
• Learn the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Learn to 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.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on issues in area of responsibility.
• 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.
• Operate a personal computer with proficiency and familiarity.
• 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.

• Procedures involved in methods and techniques of conducting and documenting field investigations, including collecting and cataloging evidence.
• Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Advanced communication and conflict management skills.
• Effective research and report writing.

• Coordinate and direct Animal Services programs.
• 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.
• Obtain information through a variety of interview techniques.
• 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.
• 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.
• Coordinate and communicate with multiple departments and outside agencies in an effective manner.
• Make presentations to community groups.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.