Animal Control Assistant

Primary responsibilities include providing dispatching services and a variety of clerical and public contact duties for the Animal Control Department. Depending upon location of assignment, duties may also include the performance of kennel duties related to the physical well being of animals contained in the animal facility.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Not all incumbents perform all the examples listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties that may be performed.

• Receive and process inquiries, complaints, information and emergency calls from the public.
• Send and receive routine and emergency radio messages to/from Animal Control Officers on patrol using standard operating procedures; maintains computer logs of calls dispatched to officers.
• Complete various forms/logs and/or enters and retrieves information from computer related to activities.
• Greet customers at counter and assists them based on their inquiries.
• Sell dog licenses; collect fees from owners redeeming their animals; collect pet adoption fees; balance cash with daily sales records.
• Screen potential dog/cat adopters to assure animal's welfare and keep adoption returns to a minimum.
• Initiate and maintain records and casework files in accordance with established alphabetical, numerical, topical, chronological and/or cross-indexed systems.
• Receive animals into the shelter; take animals to dog runs or cat room; assess animals for visible signs of illness and/or injury; removes feral cats and/or small wild animals from live animal traps; assign numbers to animals and cross checks with animal cards to assure all animals accounted for.
• Issue citations for violations to dog owners redeeming their animals from the shelter in the absence of Animal Control Officer.
• Contact other departments, agencies and/or businesses regarding departmental paperwork and activities, such as scheduling spay/neuter appointments or rabies vaccinations or verifying information with veterinarians.
• Receive and route incoming reports, charts, legal documents, or other information to appropriate locations.
• May provide direction to temporary help in supervisor's absence.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Depending upon location of assignment may also:
• Clean and disinfect kennels, euthanasia area, and animal crematorium.
• Feed and water animals daily.
• Administer approved vaccines.
• Assist with administering approved euthanasia drugs for the euthanasia of animals.
• Inventory, order and stock supplies.
• Clean and maintain animal facility office and grounds.
• Transport animals to veterinarian hospitals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education and Experience:
High School diploma or GED; and, two to three years of experience performing clerical functions including responsibilities involving contact with the public or, a combination of related education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Driver's License (depending upon location of assignment)

Knowledge of:

• General office procedures, policies and practices, as well as basic knowledge of computers and other general office equipment.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Dog and cat breeds and animal behavior.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skill in:

• Safe animal handling.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Using a computer terminal to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Using mathematics.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Ability to learn animal behavior and disease symptoms such as rabies and related common diseases.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to interpret department policies and procedures accurately.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and speak and hear.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to use color, sound, odor and shape perception and discrimination.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference "see résumé" will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer