Temporary Animal Control and License Officer

The County of Riverside’s Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) seeks to fill a Temporary Animal Control and License Officer I position. This is a full‑time, temporary position located in Coachella, California
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The Animal Control & License Officer I is the trainee-level classification in the Animal Control & License Officer series and reports to the Lieutenant of Field Services. Incumbents work under supervision performing routine assignments, receiving training in areas such as animal recognition, euthanasia, disease recognition, administrative hearings, disaster training, state and federal laws, penal codes, and airborne and blood borne pathogen exposure.

This position is considered field work and requires hours of standing and moving, including a rotating overnight work schedule.

The department desires candidates who live near the Coachella shelter or surrounding cities.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve.

The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at‑will basis.  to learn more about TAP:

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• Drive a vehicle to patrol jurisdictions overseen by Riverside County; enforce animal regulations, laws and ordinances; answer questions from the public concerning age, breed, characteristics, care, and treatment of animals; advise the public of legal rights, explaining and interpreting animal control laws, regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Learn to prepare reports, citations, or notices of violation; maintain records and complete forms concerning animal control and license violations and transactions, proficiently utilizing software and databases relating to Department of Animal Services (DAS).
• Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence and appear in court as a witness, as necessary.
• Ensure County vehicles are kept adequately fueled and maintained; inspect vehicles daily prior to use to identify any physical damage; alert supervisor when vehicles are due for maintenance and repair.

• Receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public and other agencies regarding stray, dangerous, unwanted, or improperly controlled animals; tactfully handle complaints, trying to remedy problems; under guidance from an Animal Control and License Officer II, investigate and prepare minor animal cruelty cases.
• Learn to use tranquilizer guns or other means to control dangerous and/or injured animals as a last resort; answer emergency calls concerning persons bitten by animals.
• Learn to quarantine potentially rabid animals; check potentially rabid animals at intervals as directed and release animals from quarantine at the end of a safe time period, as directed; issue citations for violation of the quarantine.
• Pick up and transport stray, confined, sick, injured, or dead animals; impound animals and release impounded animals to owners; segregate, isolate, perform euthanasia, and dispose of ill, injured, unwanted, or aged animals.
• May be assigned to any shift and required to be available on standby or on‑call basis.

• Learn to photograph and gather all pertinent facts of any issues pertaining to violations and citations; create activities in Chameleon database for follow‑up with ongoing compliance of issues with the animal's welfare…