Animal Control Officer II

Overview

The City of Seattle is seeking a compassionate and experienced professional for the position of Animal Control Officer II. The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) promotes public safety and animal welfare, protects animals from cruelty and neglect, runs animal sheltering and adoption programs, and manages pet licenses and enforcement of Seattle's animal laws.

A team of Animal Control Officer IIs enforce animal control ordinances and related laws, patrol city areas, investigate complaints, write reports, issue citations, and capture, handle, transport, and detain animals.

• Patrols assigned areas of the city driving an Animal Control vehicle to enforce animal control ordinances and 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, leash and scoop law violations, and noise ordinances; records statements from complainants, victims, witnesses, and suspects; photographs injuries, incident scenes, 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, leash, scoop and noise violations, property damage, unlawful tethering, and failure to obtain pet license and rabies vaccinations.
• Patrols city parks for violations of 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 explains the rules, policies and regulations pertaining to the animal control ordinances.
• Provides excellent and professional customer service in emotional and stressful situations; diffuses tense encounters with hostile or abusive members of the public.
• Captures and detains stray and/or vicious animals; 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 vehicles following defensive driving practices in daily and stressful situations.
• Educates the general public, schools and other agencies on animal care, safety and welfare.
• Assists with shelter duties including cleaning animal habitats and providing general husbandry to the shelter animal population.
• Answers questions in person or by telephone from the public concerning adoptions, redemptions, lost animals, impounding, operations and policies of the shelter, and animal control ordinances.
• Euthanizing animals as required.

• 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.)

• 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 (or with equipment/assistance as needed).
• 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.

• This position requires full-time onsite work.
• Overtime…