Washington County Animal Services, located at the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter in Hillsboro, Oregon 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 about 4,000 animals in our shelter, responded to more than 4000 citizen calls, licensed more than 48,000 dogs, answered over 50,000 phone calls, and did community outreach at schools, fairs and events. We have an active volunteer program, with more than 150 citizens volunteering at least 8 hours a month 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 spay/neuter program for low-income people’s cats. 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 will be accepting applications for both Entry and Journey Level Animal Services Officers.
Animal Services Officer I pay range is $18.91 – $22.98 per hour.
Animal Services Officer II pay range is $21.92 – $26.65 per hour.
Our Animal Services Officers protect public health and safety by providing information supporting quality animal care and services. They respond to complaints and support local law enforcement agencies in enforcing state and local laws pertaining to the ownership, care, and treatment of animals.
Washington County offers their employees a collaborative culture, work-life balance, and a comprehensive benefits package. Working within Washington County provides daily opportunities to serve and build communities now and into the future. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Using County vehicle, patrol incorporated and unincorporated County areas for enforcement of animal codes, state and local laws and ordinances; contain or capture vicious animals; issue warnings or citations for infractions or violations observed during community based patrols and investigations.
2. Investigate 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. Investigate reports of livestock damage by dogs, and fill out livestock claims.
3. Work to resolve animal-caused nuisances within the community by offering advice and alternatives on animal care and other animal-related issues.
4. Operate equipment typically used to capture or subdue animals (traps, catch poles, tranquilizer guns). Operate first aid equipment and self-defense weapons (spray or bite stick). Maintain all assigned equipment to ensure proper functioning; adhere to safe work practices and procedures.
5. Input information and prepare daily activity reports using removable on-board and in office computers. Prepare evidence, accept signed citizen complaints, and testify in court acting as a Clerk of the District Court. Work with supervisors to coordinate investigative activities. Provide assistance during emergency situations.
6. Check households for valid licensing of dogs; issue licenses and document receipt of monies.
7. Impound stray and unlicensed domestic animals for transport to the County animal shelter. Contain and capture biting and vicious animals so they can be observed. Pick up injured animals reported by radio dispatch; administer basic first aid and transport animals to veterinarian or the animal shelter. Pick up dead animals from roadways, veterinarians and the public; and transport to animal shelter for disposal. Euthanize severely injured, diseased or vicious animals.
8. Respond to and provide information to the general public that explains local laws and ordinances and other information related to the care, treatment, quarantine, and impounding of animals. Attend educational fairs and other community events and present information to the public about the characteristics and care of animals, Animal Services operations, field activities and animal control regulations.
9. Provide assistance to Shelter operations; empty, sort, and organize items donated by the public. Stock the store shelves.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
General knowledge of:
• Principles and process for providing customer service;
• Techniques and methods of the care and handling of dogs, cats and other animals that meet the standards outlined through nationally certified training programs;
• Physical and temperament characteristics of dog breeds and other animals;
• Techniques of operating basic computer software and hardware applications; and
• Laws and regulations governing animal control and animal care.
Skill to:
• Communicate with individuals or groups to effectively convey information;
• Verbally persuade and calmly defuse difficult and stressful circumstances;
• Monitor and assess circumstances and determine the equipment needed to complete a specific task;
• Effectively manage time and resources;
• Prepare written reports and maintain records;
• Operate typical office software; and
• Operate equipment typically used to capture and impound of animals
Ability to:
• Safely and compassionately control and handle large dogs and animals in stressful situations and environments;
• Safely handle injured and aggressive animals;
• Work safely and effectively outdoors under varied climate conditions and terrains;
• Read, learn, and enforce the laws, ordinances, codes pertaining to animal control and animal services regulations
• Actively listen and give full attention to what people are saying;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals, whether members of the public or co-workers, from diverse groups and backgrounds;
• Exercise appropriate judgment based on the circumstances; and
• Remain calm and rational in routine and non-routine situations.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Animal Services Officer II Experience and Education
2 years of recent experience as an Animal Service Officer or directly related, handling, controlling, and caring for a variety of animals to include large breed dogs. Previous customer service experience is required.
– Possession of training certification equal to two separate modules of the National Animal Care & Control Association/Code 3 Associates National Animal Control and Humane Officers training curriculum required by application date.
– Possession of certification as a Euthanasia Technician, valid in the State of Oregon, within six months of appointment (hire date).
– Possession of a FEMA certificates for Independent Study Courses IS-100.B and IS-700.A., within six months of appointment (hire date).
Animal Services Officer I Experience and Education
One year experience as an Animal Service Officer; or 2 years experience as an Animal Service Technician, or related, in a kennel, veterinary office, animal clinic, or comparable setting involving the care, handling, or training of a variety of animals to include large breed dogs. Completion of at least 1 year of technical training in veterinary assistance or a related program and 1 year experience as an Animal Service Technician is also qualifying. Previous customer service experience is required.
– Possession of certification as a Euthanasia Technician, valid in the State of Oregon, within six months of appointment (hire date).
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:
This position requires the successful completion of a background investigation.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES ASSESSMENT:
Must be able to pass a post offer physical abilities assessment prior to appointment (hire date) for both positions. For more information on the physical requirements, please visit: PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY CHART
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES RECORDS 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.
Washington County will review Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records on candidates prior to the interviewing phase of the selection process. Candidates that do not possess an acceptable driving record will be disqualified from this particular recruitment. Please ensure driver’s license information is correct and complete on your employment application.
Washington County has the ability to check Oregon DMV records electronically. We do not possess this ability for out-of-state applicants. If you reside or have resided outside the State of Oregon within the last 3 years, you will need to submit a DMV record(s) for the last three years within two (2) weeks after the position close date. Please forward the DMV record(s) to: hr@co.washington.or.us; or (fax) 503-846-3777, or Washington County Human Resources, ATTN: Recruitment Unit, 155 N First Avenue, Ste. 270, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
To review the Driver’s License and Record Policy for Washington County use the following link. Additionally, if you would like to know what constitutes an unacceptable record, please review the Driving Records Requirement Form attached to the policy for more detail: Click Here
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
SELECTION PROCESS:
1. An evaluation of training and experience of submitted applications will begin after August 8, 2015. This will be performed by Human Resources.
2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel in the division will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials and your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire. This process will begin after August 10, 2015.
3. A Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records check will be performed on the applicants that pass the SME step. Applicants that do not possess an acceptable driving record or have not submitted their records or Oregon Driver’s License number will not pass this step and will be disqualified from this particular recruitment.
4. Applicants that pass the DMV records check will be placed on a list of eligible candidates who may be referred to the hiring department for an interview. It is our goal to schedule the first round of interviews late August to early September.
STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION:
You will be advised by e-mail or regular mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition.
The selection process will consist of an evaluation and scoring of experience and training taken from your employment application materials and your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Further evaluation may include an interview, skills assessment, skill based testing, etc., as determined by the hiring department.
Interested applicants must submit a completed Washington County employment application, with complete responses to the “Supplemental Questionnaire.”
We suggest that you print a copy of the job announcement to help you prepare your answers for the Supplemental Questionnaire and to use as a reference in preparing for interviews. We also recommend creating and saving any text answers to the Supplemental Questions in a word processor and then copying and pasting them into the appropriate text box prior to submission of your application. Once you have answered the Supplemental Questions, click on “Save and Proceed.” Your application will come up for you to review and edit as needed. Then click on “Confirm and Send Application.” The “Privacy Statement and Certificate of Applicant” will come up for you to either “Accept” or “Decline.” If you “Accept,” a message will come up that thanks you for applying and tells you that your application has been received. You will also receive a confirmation via e-mail. Please retain this confirmation as proof of receipt.
Veterans’ Preference: If you have been discharged, or are a disabled veteran, you may qualify for veteran’s preference points. If you feel that you qualify, please submit a copy of your DD214 for 5 points and your DD214 and a letter stating your disability for 10 points by the closing date of the position you are applying for. Veteran’s preference points cannot be honored without supporting documentation. Veterans who qualify will be granted five points or ten point preference upon successful completion of all phases of the examination process. You must email a copy of your DD214 and other supporting documentation to hr@co.washington.or.us or mail it to the Human Resources Division before the closing date of the position you are applying for .
Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through the Human Resources Division, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying.
* Washington County is a drug-free workplace *
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