Animal Control Officer I Salary: $25.30 - $30.12 Hourly

Animal Control Officer II Salary: $30.12 - 35.99 Hourly

Passionate about animal welfare and public service? Santa Barbara County Animal Services is seeking dedicated, compassionate professionals to join our team as an Animal Control Officer!

We are currently accepting applications for one (1) full-time Animal Control Officer I/II position in Santa Maria with the Santa Barbara County Health Department.

We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future Full-time, Part-time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies for Animal Control Officers in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.

*Civil Service Rule 1414. Appointment to Fill Vacancy During Leave of Absence.1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Applicants must select the locations they are willing to initially accept employment, for current and future vacancies, on the application agency-wide question and supplemental questionnaire.

NOTE: Although this position is home-based in Santa Maria, the incumbent will need to regularly travel throughout the County.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.  

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: 

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

THE POSITION:

Under general supervision, performs a variety of animal control functions in the area of field enforcement and kennel maintenance; and performs related duties as required. Responsibilities will also include working directly with animals as well as providing services to our customers.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Animal Control Officer I is the entry-level class in this series. Incumbents receive orientation and training to perform the full range of animal control duties. Incumbents are expected to progress to the journey-level, Animal Control Officer II, within a reasonable length of time, and to function at a higher level of independence, self-direction, judgment, and interaction with the public.

The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the Department and will include overnight, on-call, weekend, and holidays shifts. Travel throughout the County will be required.

NOTE: Animal Control Officer I/II is a flexibly staffed series. Candidates may be hired at the higher level depending on the qualifications of the candidate and the needs of the department. 

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have strong interpersonal skills, a high level of professionalism AND:

• Experience as an Animal Control Officer with a solid understanding of local and state regulations.
• Professional experience working with animals, preferably in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter setting.
• Proficiency in dispatcher functions, including explaining procedures, rules, and regulations.
• A strong customer service background, effectively engaging with the public and exercising excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience using Chameleon or similar animal sheltering software, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Outlook).
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively, contributing positively to a team environment.
• Strong multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines.
• Adaptability to changing conditions, new information, and unexpected challenges.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports, memoranda, and correspondence while maintaining organized records.
• The ability to build and maintain effective relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities.
• Experience handling difficult situations and individuals with professionalism, tact, integrity, and diplomacy.
• The ability to interpret laws, process technical information, and communicate it effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Good judgment, flexibility, a positive attitude, and strong ethical character.
• Sound decision-making skills, particularly in assessing situations, answering inquiries, and evaluating the impact of actions.
• Bilingual skills are a plus but not required.

ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION: Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) is the leading animal welfare organization in Santa Barbara County, caring for over 5,000 pets in our shelters annually. SBCAS is committed to the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people through proactive intervention, effective enforcement, collaboration, education, and the compassionate care and rehoming of sheltered animals.

Why Our Team is Proud to Work Here:

• Exceptional Success Rates: We're proud of our approximately 91% live release rate, ensuring that most of the over 6,000 pets we serve annually find loving homes.
• Innovative Return to Owner (RTO) Efforts: With a 49% RTO rate for stray dogs, our Animal Control Officers play a key role in reuniting pets with their families, aided by free microchipping initiatives.
• Strong Foster and Day Trip Programs: Each year, over 2,300 pets experience the love and care of foster homes, and we organize over 2,300 doggy day trips, giving our furry friends a break from the shelter.
• Robust Financial Support: Our $6M agency budget is bolstered by an additional $2M+ in support from our generous partners, allowing us to continually enhance our services.
• Collaborative Partnerships: We've built innovative partnerships with organizations like ASAP Cats and BUNS, amplifying our impact.
• A Culture of Kindness: Our agency isn't just about the numbers; we prioritize kindness and a positive work culture, making it a place where our team loves to thrive!

Animal Shelter Locations:

• Santa Maria Shelter, 548 W. Foster Road (map)
• Santa Barbara Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road (map)
• Lompoc Shelter, 1501 W. Central Avenue (map)

For more information, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/415/Animal-Services

• Patrols assigned area in an animal control vehicle to search for stray, sick, injured, or dead animals and provide services as needed; responds to calls from the public, law enforcement agencies, or other Animal Control Officers concerning injured, stray, sick, or dangerous animals and violations of animal regulatory ordinances; enforces State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, such as leash laws, licensing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering, quarantining, dangerous dog, animal noise, and barking dog ordinances; and picks up and transports animals to the shelter for impounding, disposal, or rabies investigation, or to the veterinarian as appropriate.
• Prepares computerized reports; completes records and various forms such as daily activity sheets, receipts for fees received, citations, quarantine, and investigative reports; and prepares logs of controlled drugs used.
• Collects license, redemption, and adoption fees and fees for other services rendered to the public, such as for picking up dead animals from a veterinary hospital.
• Provides information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, and adoptions; gives tours of the shelter to citizen groups; and participates in public school and community group presentations.
• Conducts special investigations in response to public complaints of violations of animal regulatory ordinances; and appears in court to testify and present evidence regarding violations of animal regulatory ordinances.
• Inspects pet-related businesses, such as boarding facilities, pet shops, and groomers, for code compliance prior to the issuance of permits and business renewals.
•  Performs animal care duties such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, and segregating and isolating animals when necessary; detects disease or injury in animals and performs minor medical treatments on animals as necessary; and assists the veterinarian with vaccinations and inspections of animals.
•  Cleans and disinfects kennel areas, vehicles, and equipment.
•  Assists with front office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public.
•  Uses department-issued weapons, such as a shotgun, tranquilizer gun, and pellet gun to capture and/or destroy animals in the field; and participates in destroying animals (euthanasia).

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below: 

• One (1) year of experience safely handling, restraining, and caring for domestic animals in a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or kennel facility, including the preparation of related notes and/or reports using a personal computer (NOTE: Experience with your personal pets is not considered qualifying experience.); OR, 
• One (1) year of experience enforcing Federal, State and/or local rules and regulations, including with hostile/uncooperative individuals, and the preparation of related documentation using a personal computer; OR, 
• Completion of 30 semester (45 quarter units) units of coursework from an accredited college or university related to animal control/sciences or administration of justice; OR, 
• A combination of training, education, and/or experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities. 

Additional Requirements: 

• Incumbents must successfully complete a PC 832 course in Arrest, Search and Seizure within one year of employment. 
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.

NOTE: Incumbents in this class must be able to move animals or objects weighing up to 100 lbs. Incumbents are expected to work in the field a majority of the time, wear a uniform, work shifts, weekends and rotational standby duty as required.

Knowledge of: basic physical and behavioral characteristics of animals and safe and humane animal handling procedures OR basic investigation techniques and property rights; personal computer-based software applications; and proper English usage, grammar, and spelling. 

Ability to: read, understand, and explain applicable State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances; learn the physical and behavioral characteristics of animals and safe and humane animal handling procedures OR learn basic investigation techniques and property rights; obtain cooperation and compliance from members of the public; analyze a situation and adopt a course of action; exercise tact and independent judgment in dealing with the public; speak to a wide range of people; prepare clear and concise written reports; present a positive public image; develop and maintain working relationships with co-workers, agencies, and organizations; handle sick, injured, dangerous, or dead animals and decomposing animal carcasses in a safe and humane manner; learn breed identification; learn and recognize symptoms of rabies and other common animal diseases; learn the safe and accurate handling of a tranquilizer gun and pellet gun; destroy (euthanize) dangerous, sick, or unwanted animals; make simple arithmetical calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; learn and use office software applications, including word processing, e-mail, and department-specific applications; understand and follow oral and written instructions; safely drive a vehicle; and work independently. 

Background Check: Employment in this class requires successful completion of a criminal background investigation.

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. 
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and auto-scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates. 

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. 

Veteran's Points: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.  No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.  

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.  The preference points will be added to your final test score. 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution. 

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines. 

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.  

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time. 

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.  

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT 

The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization.  The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity. 
  
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 03/03/2025, by 4:59 p.m.PST; Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. 

Farrah Medrano, Talent Acquisition Lead, 
County Health, PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org