Animal Control Officer

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members.
• Paid vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Deferred compensation plan
• Employer contributions to state pension plan for Career Service employees
• Ten paid holidays and Two additional personal holidays!
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• Wellness and Employee assistance programs
• Employee giving program
• And more! 

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx 

To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum demonstrate skill and ability to:

• Respond to complaints of animal nuisance and vicious or abused animals and determine course of action, write reports and issue written warnings or citations.
• Rescue domestic owned or stray animals livestock and wildlife, including injured and deceased animals.
• Safely handle aggressive, sick, injured or diseased animals; effectively communicate and use deescalating techniques when dealing with confrontational individuals; safely drive a County vehicle obeying all laws; and operate other required equipment in a safe and lawful manner.
• Transport animals to other shelter and/or veterinary facilities, adoption events.
• Enforce animal control ordinances.
• Prepare court cases and testify in court.
• Educate and counsel the public on pet care and laws and regulations covering pet ownership.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Have the ability to handle animals in a humane manner under a variety of conditions and are willing to vaccinate and euthanize animals as directed.
• Are experienced in animal handling and behavior assessment techniques, proper methods for the care and feeding of animals, cleaning of cages, kennels, and other areas.
• Interested in working directly with our diverse community, providing quality customer service by responding to complaints, inquiries, and problems using effective listening and clear communication. 
• Are able to maintain composure under difficult and stressful situations. 
• Can handle cash, accurately account for monies, licenses, and items subject to inventory and accurately make mathematical calculations and enter data.
• Are skilled in engaging and building relationships with colleagues, staff and community members.
• Be customer-focused, culturally aware, and comfortable talking about equity and social justice.
• Are passionate about teamwork!

• The successful candidate must pass a pre-employment physical including the ability to perform moderate to difficult strenuous manual tasks including lifting animals weighing up to sixty (60) pounds on a frequent basis.
• Successful candidate will need to complete the Animal Control Academy.  To complete the Animal Control Academy candidates must be able to pass a background check.
• Have or be able to obtain a Euthanasia Drug Certification.
• Have or are able to obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License at the time of hire, with no moving violations within the past year.
• Our successful candidate must be able to work mandatory overtime, after hours, weekends, and holidays including on-call availability.
• This position is represented by the Animal Control Officers Guild.
• This recruitment will be used to create a referral list for future ACO openings up to 1-year.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation. This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.