Job Description Summary

Department - Pima Animal Care Center

Job Description

Pima Animal Care Center is open seven (7) days a week. Availability to work all schedules is required. Current rotating schedules include 6 am - 4 pm and 11 am - 9 pm.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Conducts detailed investigation of alleged violations of animal care laws and ordinances;

• Prepares and maintains detailed manual and automated records and reports, including those in support of prosecution of alleged violators;

• Enforces dangerous animal regulations by assigning the classification of dangerous animal through observation and evaluation of actions, behavioral tendencies, and owners’ responsibility under varying circumstances;

• Gathers information and evidence from various sources including records of outside agencies, interviews, and on-site visual inspections;

• Interview victims, witnesses, and suspects to investigate leads to obtain and verify information, establish background and identify probable intent of alleged violator;

• Presents evidence and defends the classification of dangerous animals at appeal hearings;

• Serves as sectional technical resource by advising less experienced employees of proper procedures and assisting in their initial training;

• Operates and performs operator-level maintenance, servicing and safety inspection of assigned vehicles;

• Operates and performs operator-level maintenance for chemical-immobilization and other animal control equipment, such as snares, ropes, nets and traps used in capturing animals;

• Obtains search warrants, conducts searches, and identifies, collects and maintains custody of evidence for prosecution activities by the prosecuting attorneys;

• Assists other agencies in the investigation of felony animal cruelty cases;

• Testifies in court on cases pertaining to animal care issues;

• Maintains legal chain-of-custody of evidentiary materials;

• May authorize use of controlled chemical capture delivery systems by qualified staff;

• May perform enforcement, field service, and animal care activities as required;

• May act as a lead in the absence of the supervisor;

• May inspect businesses and sites of special events as requested by other agencies to ensure compliance with animal care laws and ordinances.

Minimum Qualifications:

Two years of experience enforcing animal care laws and ordinances.

(Fifteen semester hours or thirty-quarter hours of college-level course work from an accredited university or college in veterinary or animal science education from an accredited college or vocational school could be substituted for six months of the aforementioned required experience)

OR:

Eighteen months of experience with Pima County as an Animal Care Field Officer.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and “Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.): 

• Minimum six (6) months experience conducting investigations; such as dangerous or vicious dog and/or joint agency investigations. 

• Education and/or training specifically involving animal cruelty investigations.

• Experience and/or education in social work, education, community organizing, and/or program development. 

• Bilingual (Spanish/English). 

Selection Procedure: 
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.    

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice: Within nine months of appointment, employees must receive the full series of pre-exposure rabies immunizations. Medical inability to be immunized or previous immunization must be verified by the County Physician prior to employment. Recommended boosters are required for the duration of employment, unless medically excused or physiologically unable to develop immunity. Some positions may require fluency in English and a second language as determined by the Department. Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. This position will require a post-job offer physical and drug screen. 

Physical/Sensory Requirements: This position requires the ability to lift, push, and pull up to 100lbs. Additional physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. 

Working Conditions: Working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.