Animal Services Officer I/II

Have you considered creating a career in the public sector within a municipal animal shelter to provide a safe haven for animals in transition, protect animals from harm, and provide tools to the residents of our County to live safely, responsibly and respectfully with animals? If so, join our Washington County Animal Services as an Animal Services Officer I/II. Your talent and passion for animal welfare will bring value to the services we provide in Washington County, Oregon.
 
Washington County Animal Services, located at the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter, cares for lost animals, finds homes for abandoned pets, licenses dogs, enforces animal cruelty laws and protects our citizens from dangerous animals. Last year, we provided care for approximately 2,000 animals in our shelter, responded to more than 4,000 citizen calls, licensed more than 100,000 dogs, answered over 50,000 phone calls, and did community outreach at schools, fairs, and events. We have an active volunteer program, with many dedicated citizens volunteering at least 8 hours a month each to our shelter. We work closely with other shelters in the area through the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland, which includes a metropolitan area-wide program that aims to assist low income families and their cats by offering affordable spay and neuter surgeries to those who qualify.  We are also committed to Washington County's Animal Protection Multi-Disciplinary Team, which is providing solutions to the cycle of domestic violence and animal abuse.
 
We work collaboratively with our partners through-out the Portland metropolitan area towards our goal of preventing animals in our communities from needing our shelter services, as well as providing outstanding care and help to the animals currently in our care. We also work closely with other enforcement agencies to apply state and local laws pertaining to the ownership, care and treatment of animals in our community.  

The Animal Service Officers (ASO) are primarily responsible for enforcing Washington County’s animal related codes throughout the County. In this role, you will work mostly autonomously in the field interacting with citizens regarding any animal related issues and violations. You will also be responsible for accurately and clearly documenting your actions when on scene. As an ASO, you are expected to be familiar with the Washington County’s Animal related codes and Communicable Disease rabies protocols and possess proper animal handling skills.  

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to critically assess a situation and come to a solution that is in line with the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter's and Washington County’s core values. The candidate will also have the ability to work independently as this position will primarily work in the field alone, with no direct supervision. Candidates who can manage their time appropriately and be self-motivated are highly desired. We are also looking for candidates who are a good communicator as this role is the face of Washington County Animal Services in the community. Lastly, candidates should be comfortable with confrontation and be able to avoid escalating what may already be a volatile situation.

The current opening is Animal Services Officer II. However, since this position allows for flexible staffing, this position may be under-filled at the Animal Services Officer I level.
 

• Animal Services Officer I: $21.51 - $26.14 Hourly
• Animal Services Officer II: $24.94 - $30.33 Hourly

To learn more, please use this link:  Bonnie L Hays Animal Shelter  Duties of Animal Services Officer II may include:

1. Using a County vehicle, patrols incorporated and unincorporated County areas for enforcement of animal codes, state and local laws and ordinances; contains or captures vicious animals; and issues warnings or citations for infractions or violations observed during community based patrols and investigations.
2. Investigates animal-related violations and complaints from the public including violations of County leash laws, animal neglect and cruelty, animal bites, reports of injured or diseased animals, and other animal related issues; and investigates reports of livestock damage caused by dogs, and completes livestock claims.
3. Works to resolve animal-caused nuisances within the community by offering advice and alternatives on animal care and other animal-related issues.
4. Operates equipment typically used to capture or subdue animals (traps, catch poles, tranquilizer guns); operates first aid equipment and self-defense weapons (spray or bite stick); maintains all assigned equipment to ensure proper functioning; and adheres to safe work practices and procedures.
5. Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.
6. Enters data and information into computer system; prepares daily activity reports using removable on-board and in office computers; prepares evidence, accepts signed citizen complaints, testifies in court, and works with supervisors to coordinate investigative activities.
7. Checks households for valid licensing of dogs; issues licenses, and documents receipt of monies.
8. Impounds stray and unlicensed domestic animals for transport to the County animal shelter; contains and captures biting and vicious animals for observation; retrieves injured animals reported by radio dispatch; administers basic first aid and transports animals to a veterinarian or the animal shelter; retrieves deceased animals from roadways, veterinarian offices and the public and transports them to the animal shelter for proper disposal; and euthanizes severely injured, diseased or vicious animals.
9. Responds to public inquiries and provides information regarding local laws, ordinances, and other relevant information regarding the care, treatment, quarantine, and impounding of animals; attends educational fairs and other community events to present information about the characteristics and care of animals, Animal Services operations, field activities, and animal control regulations.
10. Assists in basic shelter operations; empties, sorts, and organizes items donated by the public, and stocks the store shelves.
11. Provides assistance during emergency situations.

To view duties of Animal Services Officer I, use the following links: Animal Services Officer IAnimal Services Officer II:

• Two (2) years of recent experience as an Animal Services Officer or related experience in handling, controlling, and caring for a variety of animals, to include large breed dogs; AND
• Previous customer service experience is required.

• Possession of a driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and an acceptable driving record per Washington County policy.    
• Possession of certification as a Euthanasia Technician, valid in the State of Oregon.    
• Possession of FEMA certificates for Independent Study Courses IS-100.B and IS-700.A.    
• Possession of training certifications equal to two separate modules of the National Animal Care & Control Association/Code 3 Associates National Animal Control and Humane Officers training curriculum    
• Passing a background check is required.
• Must be able to pass a post-offer physical abilities assessment prior to appointment.    
  • For more information on the physical requirements, please visit the Job Task Analysis.

Animal Services Officer I:

• One (1) year of experience as an Animal Services Officer; OR    
• Two (2) years of experience as an Animal Services Technician, or related experience in a kennel, veterinary office, animal clinic, or comparable setting that involves the care, handling, or training of a variety of animals, to include large breed dogs, AND one (1) year of customer service experience within the last three (3) years.    
• Completion of at least one (1) year of technical training in veterinary assistance or a related program, AND one (1) year of experience as an Animal Service Technician may substitute for the above requirements. Previous customer service experience is required.

• Possession of a Driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and an acceptable driving record, per Washington County policy.    
• Possession of certification as a Euthanasia Technician, valid in the State of Oregon, is required within 6 months of employment.    
• Passing an in-depth background check.    
• Passing a post-offer physical abilities assessment prior to appointment.    
  • For more information on the physical requirements, please visit the Job Task Analysis. 

If you have completed education in a foreign college or university and are using this education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received within the United States' accredited college or university system or your application will not be accepted. 

Washington County organizes its positions into classifications. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review these classifications, please use the following links: Animal Services Officer I and Animal Services Officer II.

Department of Motor Vehicle Records (DMV) Requirement:
Driving a motorized vehicle is an essential function of this position. Successful applicants must possess a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. To review the Driver's License and Record Policy for Washington County and instructions for submitting appropriate DMV documentation, please use this link: Driver's License & Records Policy.

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application.

Washington County is committed to using a Merit Based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Selection Process:
1. An evaluation of training and experience of submitted application packets will be performed by Human Resources. The timeframe to review will be the week of December 7, 2020.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials to include responses to supplemental questions. This process will begin after December 14, 2020 and may take about 2 weeks.

3. Our goal is to schedule oral panel interviews with candidates that successfully pass SME evaluations as soon as possible. This process may get delayed due to the holidays.

Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.

Veterans' Preference:                                                                                                        
If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this recruitment, please review instructions Veterans Preference Points.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail at: hr@co.washington.or.us at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application:
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" of email notification from notices in NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.

Questions (?) Regarding This Recruitment:
Yeji Seo, Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Yeji_Seo@co.washington.or.us

* Washington County is a drug-free workplace*