Animal Control Officer II

The City of Seattle is seeking a compassionate and experienced professional for the position of Animal Control Officer II. The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) was founded in 1972 and has grown and expanded its programs and services to make it what it is today – a nationally recognized animal welfare organization. The shelter promotes public safety and animal welfare, protects animals from cruelty and neglect, runs animal sheltering and adoption programs to reunite lost animals with their owners, places animals in forever homes, and runs a spay and neuter clinic providing low-cost services serving more than 4,000 animals per year. In addition, SAS manages pet licenses and enforces Seattle's laws regarding animals.

A team of Animal Control Officer IIs enforce animal control ordinances and related laws and regulations, patrol areas of the City responding to and investigating complaints, write reports documenting investigations, issue citations for violations, and capture, handle, transport, and detain animals.

ABOUT US

The Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.

The 500-plus employees of FAS span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—overseeing the City's neighborhood customer service centers and Customer Service Bureau and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. No matter the need, FAS is here—at your service.

• Patrols assigned areas of the city driving an Animal Control vehicle to enforce animal control ordinances, related laws and regulations.
• Investigates complaints of non-compliance with City animal ordinances including, but not limited to, menacing animals and bites, animal cruelty and welfare, violations of leash and scoop laws and noise ordinances; records detailed statements from complainants, victims, witnesses and suspects; and photographs injuries, incident scene and animals involved.
• Writes reports documenting steps of investigations, observations, statements and timelines for every animal bite, dangerous animal incident, and animal welfare/cruelty investigation.
• Issues citations for menacing animals, animal bites and violations including but not limited to leash, scoop and noise ordinances, property damage, unlawful tethering, and failure to obtain pet license and rabies vaccinations.
• Patrol city parks for violations of the leash, scoop and licensing laws.
• Participates in court case preparation and testifies in court and administrative hearings on infractions and criminal trials.
• Answers questions and explain the rules, policies and regulations pertaining to the animal control ordinances.
• Provides excellent and professional customer service in emotional and stressful situations.
• Diffuse tense encounters with hostile and/or abusive members of the public.
• Captures and detains stray and/or vicious animals; and picks up and transports owner-surrendered, injured or dead animals.
• Captures and transports sick and injured wildlife.
• Operates a two-way radio, responds and dispatches officers to assist field officers.
• Maintains assigned equipment and sells pet licenses.
• Safely operates large F350 truck and other assigned fleet vehicles following defensive driving practices on a daily basis and in stressful situations.
• Educate the general public, schools and other agencies on animal care, safety and welfare.
• Clean animal habitats provide general husbandry to the shelter animal population.
• Answer questions, in person or by telephone from the general public concerning adoptions, redemptions, lost animals, impounding animals, the operations and policies of the shelter, and animal control ordinances.
• Euthanizing animals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of full-time professional animal care and treatment experience, at least one (1) year of which is in assisting a licensed veterinarian; OR
• One (1) year of full-time professional animal care and treatment experience and one (1) year of law enforcement background; OR
• One (1) year of field experience equivalent to an Animal Control Officer II

(Or a combination of training and experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.)

The most successful candidates will possess the following:

• Three or more years of full-time professional animal care and treatment experience.
• Knowledge of safe handling and transporting dangerous, sick or injured animals.
• Able to lift 50 pounds independently (on occasion, able to lift over 50 lbs. with the use of provided equipment as needed or assistance from another officer).
• A safe driving record and ability to safely drive a large Animal Control one-ton vehicle in a crowded urban setting daily.
• Prior experience as an Animal Control Officer or similar animal law enforcement experience.
• Ability to type and utilize Microsoft Office and other software programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, think critically, and exercise good judgment.
• Working knowledge of PetPoint.
• Experience conducting investigations and writing reports.
• Washington State Certified Euthanasia Technician.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• This position requires full-time onsite work.
• Overtime work may be required based on business needs.
• Alternative Work Arrangements may be considered and will be based on operational needs and consistency with City policies.

• Frequently has contact with hostile or abusive members of the public.
• Required to work nights, weekends and/or holidays.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Exposed to the possibility of animal attack in the handling and treatment of injured or stray animals; occasional physical exertion is necessary to capture and detain animals.

License, Certification, and Other Requirements:

• Current, valid Driver's License
• Special Police Commission with annual renewal
• WACA ACO Academy completion

This position is classified as an Animal Control Officer II. It is Civil Service represented, FLSA non-exempt and is eligible for overtime. The full range for this step-progression position is $45.03 - $52.57 per hour.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date.

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.
4. A current “FULL” driving abstract from the Department of Licensing.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Background Check and Special Police Commission Eligibility

Employment is contingent on completing and passing the ESoph electronic background investigation process administered by the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Animal Control Officer IIs are granted a Special Police Commission if they are determined to meet minimum SPD standards and must maintain the commission through an annual review process. For more information on SPD background eligibility requirements go to: https://www.seattle.gov/police/police-jobs/how-to-apply/qualifications#entrylevel

Pre-Employment Physical: Successful candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment physical.

Driving Record: A current, “FULL” driving abstract from the Department of Licensing is required to be submitted upon offer of employment. Candidates with driving history that does not meet our current safety standards will be disqualified from consideration. Current City of Seattle Employees in a driving position may be required to submit an updated abstract.

Why work at the City of Seattle? The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Who May Apply: This position is open to all current City employees that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experienc