Animal Control and Licensing Officer I​/II; Thousand Palms

Overview

Animal Control and Licensing Officer I/II (Thousand Palms) (Finance) – Riverside County Department of Animal Services. One vacancy in Thousand Palms.

The incumbent will be responsible for receiving and investigating complaints and reports regarding stray, injured/dangerous, or improperly controlled animals; maintain patrol records; issue citations or notices of violations; enforce Riverside County ordinances and State laws relating to licensing, vaccination/disease recognition, and treatment of animals.

• Receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public, homeowners, business community, or other County agencies regarding stray, injured/dangerous, or improperly controlled animals.
• Maintain detailed patrol records of animal control issues; issue citations or notices of violations.
• Enforce Riverside County ordinances and State laws pertaining to licensing, vaccination/disease recognition, and treatment of animals.
• Train in areas such as obtaining search warrants, planning and conducting searches, implementing policies and procedures, training new officers, handling complex calls, and representing DAS in Superior Court on dangerous and vicious dog hearings. Training duration varies based on prior experience.
• Work schedule:
  
  training mirrored to field training officer; after training, weekend schedule to meet department needs; 9/80 schedule Monday–Friday with alternating Mondays off; on-call/weekend/holiday availability; schedule may change to fit department needs.

Salary Range:

• Officer I: $24.23 - $36.07 hourly (approximately $4,199.86 - $6,252.91 monthly; $50,398.30 - $75,034.92 annually)
• Officer II: $26.59 - $37.99 hourly (approximately $4,608.70 - $6,585.31 monthly; $55,304.34 - $79,023.70 annually)

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services aims to promote responsible pet ownership through welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education, with four shelters in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Thousand Palms. The department emphasizes compassion, creativity, and integrity in serving animals and people.

• Drive a vehicle to patrol jurisdictions; enforce animal regulations; answer questions from the public concerning care and treatment; contact dog owners by house-to-house canvassing to locate unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs; check rabies certificates, microchips, and signalment; collect license fees.
• Prepare reports, citations, or notices of violation; maintain records and forms related to animal control and license violations; proficient with DAS software/databases.
• Review and revise DAS policy and procedures; assist in training staff on policies.
• Work with other law enforcement groups; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence; appear in court as needed.
• Respond to high-profile complaints; speak at schools and community groups; investigate county circuses, fairs, and animal shows in collaboration with field leadership.
• Ensure county vehicles are fueled and maintained; perform daily vehicle inspections and report maintenance needs.

• Receive and investigate complaints about stray, dangerous, or improperly controlled animals; handle complaints tactfully; investigate and prepare cruelty cases.
• Prepare and issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence; conduct search/arrest warrants; testify in court; handle dangerous/vicious dog cases; respond to pre- and post-seizure proceedings.
• Learn to use tranquilizer guns or other means as a last resort; respond to emergency calls.
• Quarantine potentially rabid animals and release after safe periods; issue quarantine citations.
• Transport animals as needed; impound and manage release; handle euthanasia when appropriate; may be assigned to any shift and on-call.

• Photograph and document issues related to violations; create records in Chameleon database for follow-up and compliance.
• Post, file, and maintain citations; research property owner information in GIS systems.
• Refer the public to veterinary clinics or subsidized services; maintain canvassing records and testify in court as needed.
• May assist during vaccination clinics or offsite events; may handle stray or dead animals with capture equipment; scan for microchips and arrange for impound if needed.

• Education: High school graduation or satisfactory GED.
• Experience: I:
  Six months in a related setting (animal shelter, veterinary office, grooming, kennel) including animal handling; II:
  Six months at Officer I or equivalent experience with another public/private agency.
• Knowledge: Safe humane handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing licensing, treatment, and impounding; common animal diseases; breeds and care; investigation techniques.
• Ability: Establish cooperative relationships; explain procedures to the public; exercise tact and judgment; handle animals humanely; read laws; present evidence and testify;…