What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Control Officer position at City of Auburn?
- Position Details
- ** 2022 WAGE INCREASES ARE PENDING **Please note that candidates must be able to pass an extensive Police background investigation, credit history check, polygraph test, and a psychological evaluation.
OUR CITY
The City of Auburn is home to over 80,000 residents and encompasses over 29.8 square miles of land, two rivers, and is part of two counties - King and Pierce. The City operates as a Strong-Mayor form of Mayor-Council government, with a City Council of seven at-large members. Auburn is also home to hundreds of businesses - ranging from manufacturing to retail.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Auburn Police Department is committed to building a positive, proactive partnership with the citizens of Auburn and strives to be a premier law enforcement agency that is trusted, supported, and respected. The department is comprised of 135 staff to include: Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, (5) Commanders, (13) Sergeants, (95) Officers/Detectives, (16) Non-Commissioned staff, a Crime Analyst, and (3) Administrative Assistants.
All employees of the Auburn Police Department are committed to providing exceptional customer service to the citizens we serve.
POSITION DETAILS
This position is responsible for performing the full range of animal control services and is primarily concerned with care and safety of animals and prevention and elimination of conflicts between animals and community residents.
The incumbent, on a routine basis, will enforce state and local laws and ordinances to protect the safety and rights of the public and the welfare of animals within the City limits, apprehending, restraining and controlling stray or lost animals in a safe manner, responding to animal complaints, and ensuring compliance with licensing requirements.
This work is performed in accordance with Departmental rules, regulations, and policies, and normally consists of routine patrol, preliminary investigations, and animal control enforcement. Will perform tasks and responsibilities including, but not limited to, stray animal pick-up, transport and confinement, animal cruelty, licensing violations, vicious animals, property damage complaints due to animal involvement, educating and training the public on proper animal care and legal requirements, preparing reports, attending meetings, testifying in court, and conducting applicable vaccinations and sanitizing activities. - Primary Duties
To view a full list of job responsibilities, click here.
*Responsible to help create and nurture a community-oriented animal services program, as envisioned by the City Council; encourages citizen involvement in developing creative approaches to animal services
*Responsible for enforcing civil codes and disposition of violations, to include, resolution by voluntary compliance, issuing notices of violations, corrective orders, infractions, orders to cease activity; may appear as a witness in legal actions
*Performs tasks and responsibilities to include responding to reports of vicious animals, animal cruelty or neglect, animal pick-up and confinement, and property damage complaints
*Apprehends, controls and confines loose, unlicensed, injured, abandoned or dangerous animals - both domestic animals and livestock; assesses and evaluates the condition of animals to determine appropriate course of action\; makes every effort to locate owners before impounding animal. If pet owner is not known, transports animals to appropriate location; ensures proper arrangements for severely injured or diseased animals, which may include authorizing euthanasia; retrieves dead animals; handles animals safely and properly, administers vaccines and follows proper cleaning and sanitizing protocols
*Collects evidence, prepares written reports, represents the City at public hearings; Assists police and City Attorney's Office in cases involving animals, participates in court case preparation, testifies in court and communicates with complainants, victims and suspects; maintains the chain of custody on all evidence
*Assists in the education of the public on animal services, animal adoption, alternatives to sheltering, licensing requirements and laws related to animal services; may make oral presentations to schools, community organizations or the media, if appropriate- Minimum Qualifications
LICENSES AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- High school graduate or equivalent
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Minimum of one year experience as a Municipal or County Animal Control Officer. Graduate of the state certified Animal Control Officer Academy (or a similar ACO training program from other states) preferred; if not, must successfully complete the Washington Animal Control Officer Academy sponsored by the Washington Animal Control Association within six (6) months of hire.
- Must be able to pass an extensive police background investigation, including criminal history check, credit history check, medical/drug test, polygraph and psychological evaluation.
- Possess and retain a valid state driver's license, during tenure of employment, without impending loss at time of appointment.
- Must receive and keep current rabies and tetanus vaccinations.
To see a list of automatic disqualifiers, click here.- Additional Information
WHY CHOOSE THE CITY OF AUBURN?
- Competitive salary with scheduled step increases on an annual basis
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans with employee premiums paid by the City
- Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plans
- Paid holidays as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
- VEBA (tax-free health savings account)
- Optional Flexible Spending benefit plan
- Deferred Compensation plan options
- Employee Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- And more!
https://www.auburnwa.gov/city_hall/employment_human_resources/benefits.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Team Auburn values diverse perspectives and life experiences and welcomes applications from people who will help us consistently demonstrate the values of equity, respect, and partnership. The department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. Individuals interested in joining our team must be committed to racial, social, and economic equality for ALL people in our community.
The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.
To learn more about the Inclusive Auburn initiative, please visit:
https://www.auburnwa.gov/city_hall/mayor/inclusive_auburn
READY TO APPLY?
The first step in our hiring process for an Animal Control Officer position requires that you apply online on our website. If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter listed at the end of this job announcement.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The City of Auburn is dedicated to building an inclusive, informed city, with opportunities for all. In alignment with that goal, the City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the initial screening of applications. For that reason, hiring managers will not be viewing any attachments to your application, including a cover letter or resume, during the initial screening.
Please make sure to submit a complete and updated job application, and thoroughly answer the supplemental questions. You must meet the minimum qualifications to move forward in the screening process.
Please note that if you are selected to move forward after the Oral Examination, a thorough pre-employment background investigation will be conducted which will include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, finances, and driving record. Additional background testing will include a polygraph examination, and a psychological evaluation.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY OF AUBURN
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the recruitment process. E-mails from auburnwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions, please contact Terry Mendoza, HR Analyst/Civil Service Examiner, by email at tmendoza@auburnwa.gov.
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