Position Description
Job Duties:
Animal Control is part of the Virginia Beach Police Department which follows a paramilitary command structure. The mission of the Virginia Beach Animal Control Unit is to balance the health, safety and welfare needs of the people and animals in our city. Through our mission, we will educate the public about responsible companion animal ownership, aggressively investigate animal cruelty cases, provide compassion and humane care for unwanted, stray, abused and abandoned animals in our city, give adoptable animals a second chance at a forever home, and humanely euthanize animals when necessary and appropriate.
The Animal Enforcement Unit responds to animal-related calls for service seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hours of operation vary related to staffing numbers and are broken into day and evening shifts. While regular shifts are assigned semi-annually based on seniority, it is important to recognize that shift assignments are subject to change to meet coverage requirements. It may take several years to gain enough seniority to have an opportunity to move to the desired shift and/or have a traditional weekend as your days off. During busy periods, breaks may be limited, erratic or nonexistent.
In specific situations, ACOs are required to euthanize animals, to include even healthy cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and wildlife for any number of reasons. It is recognized that this is an unpleasant experience, and every avenue is explored to minimize these occurrences. This responsibility is not taken lightly and can weigh heavily on an ACO's emotions; however, it is a requirement of the position and a common practice with the Animal Control field.
The duties of an Animal Control Officer include:
- Performing a variety of assignments in the enforcement of state domestic animal laws and municipal animal control ordinances.
- Issuing summonses or secure warrants to persons whose animals are in violation of animal ordinances, investigating both misdemeanor and felony animal related crimes.
- Investigating animal exposure reports.
- Removing deceased animals from a variety of places.
- Euthanizing severely injured animals and animals suspected of carrying rabies.
- Preparing animals for laboratory testing; and
- Maintaining records of all impounded animals.
There is a career progression opportunity built into this position. As the employee learns the specific job duties and demonstrates proficiency in mastering these tasks, he/she will be advanced to the Animal Control Officer II level (10% pay increase). This non-competitive career progression would occur after the employee has demonstrated full competency in performing the job duties (typically after 36 months). The next level available is Animal Control Supervisor which would require a competitive selection process when a vacancy becomes available.
The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave. holidays and Paid-Time-Off.
Disqualifiers:
The following is a listing of "disqualifiers" or concerns that could result in you not being selected for employment. Please give consideration to these factors before applying. This is not an exhaustive listing.
Criminal History: Conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude (crimes contrary to justice, honesty, or good morals). Conviction of any Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor, excluding traffic violations which are discussed separately, or the Virginia State Law equivalent within the last 5 years.
Traffic Violations: Any conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusal to take blood or breath test, eluding police, racing, or leaving the scene of an accident within the last 5 years.
Drugs: Any involvement in the sale of illegal drugs as an adult. Any illegal use or possession of any illegal drug, including but not limited to heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens, or any derivative thereof (except marijuana) within the last five years. Illegal possession of anabolic steroids within the last 36 months.
Official City Job Description:
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.005234.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
High school or GED plus six (6) months of work experience in fields related to working with animals or law enforcement experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities and associated with the position of Animal Control Officer; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina driver’s license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV driver’s license eligibility requirements.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to work in inclement weather and rotating shifts (days/evenings) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.
CJIS/VCIN/NCIC certification is required, in addition to the successful completion of a background check and polygraph, candidates must have U.S. citizenship or be a lawful resident of the United States and eligible for naturalization.
Must be at least 21 and eligible for issuance of a handgun permit by the Commonwealth of Virginia by date of hire.
Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.
This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Not Required
Physical: Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required:
Preferences:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will have experience listed in the preferences below. Candidates with the preferred experience should ensure the information is provided in the application.
• One-year experience working with animals
• Work experience in a Public Safety or enforcement capacity
• Experience handling aggressive animals, particularly dogs.
• Experience interacting with the public in emotionally charged situations and use of de-escalation techniques.
• Familiarity with animal diseases and their symptoms
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to record information accurately.
• Ability to conduct investigations.
• Ability to navigate through the City of Virginia Beach using a map effectively.
• Strong communication and time-management skills, detail-oriented
• Experience in customer service
• Animal handling experience (paid/volunteer)
• Knowledge of animal husbandry
• Experience using a tablet or computer.
• Experience preparing and maintaining records (both paper and electronic)
• Ability to identify available resources to solve problems.
Special Instructions:
Applicants will be considered for the existing vacancy and any additional Animal Control Officer vacancies occurring in the next six months.
It is critical that applicants provide detailed information regarding employment qualifications as an animal control officer or game warden or other related work experience in an animal shelter, animal boarding facility, veterinary office, animal hospital, farm, or ranch. Similarly, detailed information should be provided regarding any enforcement experience as a police officer, military police officer, road deputy, corrections officer or other capacity enforcing city or state codes (e.g. codes compliance officer).
This position requires working rotating shifts (days/evenings) including weekends and holidays, which includes working outside in all weather conditions. Candidates must be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.
All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.
Successful completion of a police background investigation, including polygraph exam.
If selected for the position during training you will be required to successfully complete Driving, OC Spray, Asp, and Firearms qualifications.
CJIS/VCIN/NCIC certification is required, in addition to the successful completion of a background check, candidates must have U.S. citizenship or be a lawful resident of the United States and eligible for naturalization.
Candidates selected for an opportunity to interview will be required to complete a practical exercise prior to their interview.
- Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
- Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
- You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed. If you would like to retain this information, please take a screen shot or print using your browser's printing capability.
VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.