Senior Animal Control Officer

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2026. 

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under direction, provides lead direction and training to Animal Control Officers and support staff; enforces County laws regarding stray, dangerous, and nuisance animals; investigates complaints, patrols assigned areas, captures animals, and ensures humane animal protection and control; promotes responsible pet ownership; and performs related duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Program Manager.  Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Animal Control Officer series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series.  Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement.   Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties.  Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services.  Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy and requirements.  

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provides lead direction to and reviews work of assigned staff; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities, and follows up to ensure completion of assigned work.
• Provides input into selection decisions, performance evaluations, disciplinary matters, and other personnel decisions.
• Trains staff in appropriate methods and techniques used for animal control and licensing activities, including animal capture, conducting investigations, preparing and writing reports, issuing citations, promoting responsible animal care, disease control, and effective public relations.
• Responds to sensitive and difficult animal control complaints; investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild, or diseased animals; conducts initial investigation of complaints regarding animal cruelty or neglect.
• Investigates animal bites and arranges for appropriate identification and quarantine; processes bite reports and relays pertinent information to appropriate County public health staff.
• Issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; patrols assigned areas operating County vehicles; explains state and local laws, codes, and ordinances relating to the care and control of animals, filing of complaints, and policies of the shelter to the public.
• Performs capture and rescue of wild, stray, uncontrolled, diseased, and unlicensed domestic animals and livestock running at large; transports injured animals.
• Prepares evidence for court cases and assists in court cases as required; cites offenders and testifies in court regarding citations, criminal cases, and disposition of complaints.
• Operates humane traps, mobile radios, and related animal control tools and equipment; may use firearms.
• Identifies symptoms of common animal diseases including rabies; recommends veterinary medical care, isolation, or destruction.
• Maintains a variety of statistical and production records; prepares daily reports related to the animal control program; enters, edits, and retrieves data; may prepare special reports.
• Collects and processes fee payments; issues licenses in the field and office; and prepares receipts and other forms.
• Dispatches critically injured wild animals as necessary.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of livestock, and common domestic and wild animals.  
• Symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.  
• Behavior and handling of livestock, and common domestic or wild animals.  
• Methods and equipment used in the care and control of animals.  
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of code violation investigation and compliance.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the care, keeping, treatment, and impounding of animals.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of animal services.
• Basic recordkeeping principles and practices.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal. 
• Handle, capture, and control animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency circumstances.
• Identify symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other common domestic animal diseases.
• Prepare, maintain, and update accurate and detailed documentation of inspection findings and other written material, records, logs, and reports.
• Use and maintain animal control equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Read maps and follow directions.
• Assist the County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol, as needed, in the capture and containment of animals.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

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

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade; and

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in the care and control or animals or the enforcement of municipal codes.    

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
• Must possess and maintain P.C 832 Arrest Methods and Firearms certification. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in the field; to sit, stand and walk on level, uneven or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand tools and equipment and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites.
• Strength and stamina to perform medium to heavy physical work; to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 150 pounds or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.   
• Possible entry into confined spaces and the use of confined entry equipment.
• Vision to inspect and operate equipment.
• Fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.
• Finger dexterity to operate and repair tools and equipment.
• Wear and use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Also includes field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment, motor vehicles, winches, trailers, traps, control poles, and other animal snare equipment, mobile and handheld radios, and firearms.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Salary : $48,547 - $65,062