Job Details

Animal Control Officer

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. Work in a department where character counts, performance and excellence are celebrated, a place that helps employees develop and grow, and an environment that listens, learns, invites, and inspires new ideas.

Under general supervision, performs field duties involved in providing animal control services related to the enforcement of State, Municipal, Health, and Safety codes and issues citations for such violations. Patrol an assigned geographical area of the City responding to emergency and disturbance calls; explain ordinances to occasionally upset owners; investigate complaints; conducts preliminary investigations; capture and impound sick, injured, trapped, or vicious domestic and wild animals; quarantine animals involved in biting incidents; euthanize sick and injured animals; capture and impound stray animals; remove dead animals; prepare written reports and records; perform data entry to record and update information; inform citizens of animal control ordinances, regulations and procedures; locate unlicensed canines and provides license applications to owners explaining rabies inoculation and licensing; maintains constant radio contact with communications center; testifies in court; and does other work as required. (NOTE: All candidates will be required to work shifts and stand-by hours on weekdays, weekends, and holidays as assigned.)

Experience/Education: One year of experience desirable in the interpretation and enforcement of laws or codes, preferably related to animals. Coursework in Police Science is highly desirable.

Knowledge of: Animal breeds, common diseases, care and handling of domestic animals. Basic oral and written (grammar, punctuation, spelling) skills related to routine report writing and record keeping.

Ability to: Deal tactfully with the public; present oneself competently in court when subpoenaed to appear as witness to issued citations; work independently without immediate supervision; interpret and enforce animal control ordinances and regulations effectively; learn to operate a personal computer; work well under public pressure.

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California drivers license at time of appointment.

Special Requirement: Completion of Peace Officers Standards and Training requirements for P.C. 832 Module A course or enrollment and successful completion of the P.C. 832 course within twelve months of appointment to this position.

Physical Standards: Ability to lift and carry injured, live and dead animals at times weighing in excess of 100 pounds; be able to run, bend, stoop, crawl, reach, handle and feel to detect possible injuries to animals; capture, assist, control and impound such animals as necessary; be able to distinguish colors for identification purposes.

All applicants are required to submit a completed City Application, responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire and the Acknowledgement of Reasons for Rejection (attached), signed and dated. Incomplete information may be subject to rejection. Candidates must successfully pass each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases.

The selection process may consist of the following:

1. Written Exam
2. Oral Exam
3. Department Interview
4. Background Investigation
5. Psychological evaluation
6. Medical Examination/Drug Screen

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Police Department. Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply. The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.

The salary range consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP increases, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews. The following benefits may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• A standard 9/80 schedule is observed, with most offices closed every other Friday.
• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year. Paid holiday time is awarded at the employee's applicable schedule, i.e., 9/80, 4/10, etc.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan: Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment ($50,000 each) are provided.
• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.