Career Opportunity

Animal Control Supervisor, Captain (3379) – Animal Care and Control (#126114)

Recruitment: RTF0126056-01115364

Published: July 14, 2023

Accepting applications until: July 17, 2023

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

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: June 15, 2023 (Amended: July 7, 2023)
• Application Deadline: July 17, 2023
• ✅ Required Supplemental Questionnaire due at the time of application: https://forms.office.com/g/usa3cGrrpm 

This announcement has been amended to extend the filing period 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 general direction, the Animal Control Supervisor oversees animal control field operations activities including enforcing compliance with city and state laws governing the restraint, licensing, vaccination, impoundment, care and quarantine of animals.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Plans, directs, and oversees the field services division.
• Assures that stray animals are humanely handled, confined and transported to the shelter for impoundment and that first aid is administered when necessary.
• Evaluates requests for service, including complaints about the care, treatment and control of animals, establishes priorities and directs appropriate responses.
• Coordinates with the Sheriff, SFPD, District Attorney’s Office, the Crime Lab and veterinary pathologists to ensure that the department successfully prepares cases for prosecution.
• Responds to problems, complaints or calls for service relating to animal control procedures; explains decisions and interprets laws, procedures and policies; directs and conducts investigations; assures that laws and departmental rules and policies are followed.
• Monitors case files, work records and activity reports for clarity, accuracy, completeness and adequacy of service in response to calls.
• Oversees department’s efforts to minimize interactions between the public and wildlife.
• Educates the public about responsible pet ownership and promotes a humane and caring attitude towards animals and makes presentations to community groups regarding animal care and control issues.
• Performs related duties as required.

Nature of work requires: On-call availability required, may require weekend, holiday or shift work, may require extended hours and/or overtime work; changes in work schedule may occur with limited advance notice; frequent exposure to areas with hazards and other unpleasant elements; lifting and carrying heavy equipment or animals; bending, stooping, stretching, crawling, running short distances, climbing and working in narrow or elevated spaces; safely transporting animals in departmental vans.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:
Three (3) years of experience as an animal control officer, of which one (1) year was in a supervisory capacity.

License and Certification:
Possession of a valid California driver license.

Successful completion of the Penal Code 832 course, state-mandated euthanasia training, and Animal Control Officer Academy within the probationary period.

Substitution:
Experience as a law enforcement officer holding a valid P.O.S.T. Certificate, a licensed veterinary technician, or a zoo/animal keeper may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required non-supervisory experience.

Completion of coursework in animal husbandry, veterinary science or related program at an accredited college or university may substitute for up to six (6) months of the required non-supervisory experience (30 semester / 45 quarter units equals one (1) year).

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.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Strong supervisory skills 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Ability to multitask 
• Critical and analytical thinking skills 
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations 
• Customer service oriented

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 http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for further information.  

How to Apply:

1. Select the "Apply Now" button on this job ad and follow instructions on the screen.
2. Complete the required supplemental questionnaire at this link: https://forms.office.com/g/usa3cGrrpm

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov 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.

What else should I know?

Selection Procedures/Examination Requirements:
In addition to submitting an application, all candidates must complete the supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ: Qualifying):
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 (Weighted Exam: 100%):
Candidates deemed qualified will have supplemental questionnaire responses evaluated and scored. The supplemental questionnaire evaluation is designed to measure relative knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which may include, but not be limited to: knowledge of safe and effective animal handling, restraint and confinement; characteristics of various breeds, symptoms, diseases, first aid and emergency medical care; domestic animals and wildlife endemic common to the San Francisco area; public health protocols, zoonotic disease and vector control; effective law enforcement techniques and provisions relating to search and seizure, gathering, preserving and presenting evidence; laws and regulations relating to the care and control of animals; modern principles of supervision; ability to plan, organize, supervise and train subordinates in the performance of animal control activities; work efficiently under pressure, react quickly and effectively in emergency situations; establish priorities and make rapid decisions; interpret and enforce rules, laws and policies; deal effectively in a tactful, firm and courteous manner with others; establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships; use a computer system; use radio equipment according to FCC regulations; address animal care and control issues before civic and community groups; communicate effectively orally and in writing; safely operate a motor vehicle and equipment to transport animals and other moving objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

A passing score must be achieved on the supplemental questionnaire in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

Background Investigation:
Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to undergo a background investigation to determine fitness for continued employment as an Animal Control Officer, Captain (Job Code: 3379). The investigation is limited to job-relevant matters and may include checks of criminal, driving and motor vehicle records, references and employment history. Cruelty or mistreatment of animals, as determined by the Department, is subject to disciplinary action and/or termination.

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

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 Rosalie.Platzer@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.