Career Opportunity

Behavior & Training Assistant Supervisor – SF Animal Care & Control – Office of the City Administrator (3376) – (113623)

Recruitment: REF24434H

Published: April 14, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal Learn More

About:

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

• Application Opening: March 23, 2023 (Amended: April 5, 2023, April 14, 2023)
• Application Deadline: April 24, 2023
• Compensation Range: $67,418-$81,978 (annually)
• Recruitment ID: #113623

The filing period has been extended for additional recruitment.

The San Francisco Department of Animal Care & Control (SFACC) is a taxpayer-funded, open-admission animal shelter. Since 1989, SFACC has provided housing, care, and medical treatment to wild, exotic and domestic stray, lost, abandoned, sick, injured, and surrendered animals. SFACC’s doors are open to all animals in need regardless of species, medical, or behavioral condition.

The shelter also enforces all state and local Animal Control and Welfare laws and is the first responder for animals in natural disasters and citizen emergencies.

• SFACC shelters homeless, neglected, and abused animals and provides humane education and many other services to the community.
• SFACC is the local agency that investigates animal cruelty, enforces animal welfare laws, rescues injured and orphaned wildlife and birds, and aids domestic animals in distress.
• SFACC aims to adopt, re-home, or reunite domestic animals with their guardians and to release wildlife to their native habitat.

Role description

Under direction of the Operations Manager, the Behavior and Training Assistant Supervisor (BTAS) assists in supervising the kennel operation of the Animal Shelter, ensuring safe, sanitary and secure facilities for shelter animals and the public as well as the humane handling and care of shelter animals.

The Behavior and Training Assistant Supervisor is responsible for conducting behavior assessments for dogs and cats. This position creates and maintains socialization and training programs for young and under socialized dogs and cats in order to improve the behavior and adoptability of animals at the shelter. As part of this duty, the BTAS designs and provides animal behavior and training programs for SFACC volunteers and staff. The BTAS creates and maintains dog and cat volunteer programs through written manuals, volunteer training, floor support and a mentor program. The position also works directly with the public and staff to assist in surrenders and adoptions as well as participating in special events at the shelter. The BTAS is responsible for assisting in the recruitment and training of volunteer foster caregivers for in-home care with support from the Foster Coordinator. The BTAS also collaborates with SFACC staff for the medical treatment, placement and behavior services for foster animals.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Actively recruits, creates curriculum, and trains in-shelter and foster care volunteers and develop partnerships with appropriate organizations to expand placement options.
• Assists in scheduling, assigning, training and monitoring the work of assigned staff and volunteers; oversees the daily operation of the facilities in the absence of the Animal Care Supervisor.
• Assists in the screening and selection of animals to be made available for adoption; schedules spay/neuter surgeries; arranges for breed rescue and foster families for appropriate animals; serves as day-to-day contact for transfer of selected animals to SPCA.
• Assists with the placement of animals to the appropriate adoptive or foster home matching skill level and availability. Performs behavior consultations on-site to potential adopters, foster volunteers, and adopters to ensure accurate, evidence-based, and relevant information is conveyed to stakeholders.
• Coordinates medical needs, treatments, organization and inventory of foster supplies; assist volunteers with supply pick-up, scheduling appointments and return of animals.
• Documents and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensures compliance with in-shelter volunteers, foster care volunteers, and staff concerning guidelines and procedures.
• Ensures the safe and humane handling of all animals, which includes direct handling and caring for potentially viscous, dangerous and fractious animals; assists in the training of new staff to ensure humane handling.
• Ensures a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modelling safe work practices.
• Inspects and monitors all animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined, for signs of illness or unusual behavior; recommends appropriate action and reports significant problems to the Veterinary Medical services staff or the Animal Care Supervisor.
• Maintains accurate and legible case files and records for each animal in the shelter; uses a computer to input, update and access information regarding shelter animals and to produce written documents.
• Maintains appropriate volunteer records in SFACC’s volunteer database management system.
• Maintains medical and behavior records of shelter animals in the shelter management database.
• Monitors and ensures availability of animal care supplies for dog enrichment, office supplies and equipment, including performing related inventory, ordering and stocking functions.
• Participates in special events and outreach functions.
• Performs behavior evaluations, selection and disposition of animals for euthanasia in accordance with established laws, departmental policy and procedures; assesses pathway planning and placement viability with the resources available to agency and participates in disposition triaging with the Operations Manager and Head Veterinarian. This includes the ability to communicate behavior findings, bite histories, and intake history clearly to interested parties internally and externally.
• Provides information and assists members of the public who are relinquishing animals or in search of lost or adoptable pets; discusses and educates public on behavior, training, and proper care of domestic animals.
• Provides quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs and events.
• Under the direct and indirect supervision of the Operations Manager, provides and oversees behavior evaluation, any staff performing these functions, and updates procedures according to best practices and industry standards while adhering to protocols within departmental policy.
• Works effectively with individuals and colleagues from diverse communities and cultures.
• Performs related duties as required.

Working conditions: Exposure to strong and/or unpleasant odors, including those from animal excrement, cleaning agents and chemical compounds, and frequent exposure to noise; lifting of equipment and objects up to 50 lbs.

How to qualify

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:
One (1) year (2000 hours) of experience as an animal care attendant or animal care technician in an animal shelter, AND

License and Certification:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, AND

Successful completion of state-mandated euthanasia training and certification within one year of hire.

Substitution:
Two (2) years (4000 hours) of hands-on experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and houses animals (e.g. veterinary hospital, boarding or pet day care facility, or pet store), working principally with dogs and cats may substitute for the required experience, OR

Thirty (30) semester/forty-five (45) quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university AND one (1) year of hands-on experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and houses animals (e.g. animal shelter, veterinary hospital, boarding or pet day care facility, or pet store), working principally with dogs and cats, may substitute for the required experience.

Special Condition:
One (1) year (2000 hours) of experience conducting behavior assessments for dogs and cats. Applicants must possess this special condition in addition to the required experience or substitution stated above.

Note(s):

• One-year full-time employment is considered equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
• A valid out-of-state driver’s license is acceptable during the application process. A valid California driver's license must be obtained prior to appointment and maintained throughout employment.
• The above minimum qualifications reflect special conditions associated with the position(s) to be filled. They may differ from the standard minimum qualifications associated with this class code.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Certification in animal training and/or behavior consultation from science-based institution or agency (CTC, CPDT-KA or KSA, CDBC, KPT, CAAB, CBCC-KA, VSA-CDT, CCS, IAABC).
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience working with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, including individuals who may be distraught, angry, hostile and/or in violation of the law.
• Possession of an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Suite (e.g. Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with ability to take initiative.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

SELECTION PROCEDURE/EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ):
Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight 100%):
Candidates deemed to meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a supplemental questionnaire designed to measure their relative knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which may include, but not be limited to knowledge of: safe, effective and humane handling and restraint of a variety of animals, physical and behavioral characteristics of different species and breeds, animal occupational hazards, safety precautions, first aid techniques and disease symptoms; prioritization skills; ability to: learn laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantining, impounding, care and disposal of animals; supervisory, human relations, written and oral communication abilities. Failure to complete the supplemental questionnaire may result in disqualification. A passing score must be achieved on the supplemental questionnaire in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see: https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2022-23.pdf.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.

• Select the "Apply Now" button or “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at Sean.Sexton@sfgov.org.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.