Animal Protection Officer 2

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:
**POSITION**: Animal Protection Officer 2
**STATUS**: Permanent; Full-Time
**SHIFT**: 35 hours per week
**LOCATION**: Vancouver, BC - anywhere covering the Lower Mainland/ Fraser Valley Region
**CLASSIFICATION**: CUPE 1622
**WAGE**: Hourly
**CLOSING DATE**: Open Until Filled
**About the Position**:
The main responsibility of this position is to investigate and report animal neglect and abuse. Adhering to BC SPCA operational policies and procedures, the incumbent(s) will enforce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada. Attend to outside calls may be consonant with the qualifications required of this position. The priorities may vary between locations and shifts.
**Some specific duties**:

- Must be an authorized agent for the purpose of the PCA Act.
- Take custody of animals that are in distress, abandoned, injured or apparently ownerless.
- Prepare Notices of Disposition in accordance with the PCA Act.
- Required to make decisions with respect to the determination of critical distress in accordance with the PCA Act.
- May authorize the euthanasia of an animal determined to be in critical distress.
- Investigate complaints to determine if an animal is in distress, and take whatever action necessary pursuant to the PCA Act to relieve the animal’s distress.
- Inspect premises where animals are kept for sale, exhibit or hire to determine if an animal is in distress.
- Gather evidence to assist in the proving of elements of an offence pursuant to the PCA Act, Criminal Code and any other legislation or regulation pertaining to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
- Take any action necessary to ensure compliance with Federal or Provincial legislation or regulations pertaining to the keeping, care of prevention of cruelty to animals.
- Prepare a Report to Crown Counsel or other reports in the performance of their duties.
- To treat the animals humanely, with compassion and concern, and transmit these values to others both on and off the job.
- To provide animals under the APO’s control with proper diet and to ensure that they feed and water properly.
- To maintain a high level of standards in order to portray to the public the image of the SPCA as a compassionate and caring organization.
- To respond to related calls of both an emergency and non-emergency nature in an effective efficient and caring manner.
- To give due regard, in dealing with all animal related calls, to:

- Minimize the degree of suffering and reduce the chance of further injury to the animal
- Personal safety as well as the safety of the public
- To respond to situations using knowledge of animal behaviour, animal handling technique and proper use of rescue equipment.
- To assist and/or perform the necessary humane euthanasia of any animal in order to ensure the procedure is handles in a respectful, compassionate and stress free manner.
- To respond promptly to such other calls as may be directed
- To protect the welfare of all animals in regard to all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations.
- To offer our expertise to assist all statutory authorities as requested.
- To operate, maintain and sanitize the SPCA’s vehicles and related equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

**Qualifications you need to have**:

- Minimum Grade 12 education
- Post-secondary education (preferred)
- Minimum of six (6) Justice Institute courses; or equivalent.
- Introduction to investigative skills and processes or Cruelty Investigators’ course;
- Investigative interviewing;
- Report writing;
- Application and execution of search warrants;
- Incident scene documentation;
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System which includes conflict; negotiation and mediation skills.
- Must be a special Provincial Constable and maintain status.
- SPCA Special Constable training course
- SPCA Animal Protection Officer examination, consisting of two parts, one testing general knowledge of animal welfare and the other testing the officers practical abilities.
- SPCA Euthanasia course.
- Valid Class N or 5 BC Drivers’ License and driver’s abstract
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations regarding animals, animal welfare and related activities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.
- Computer skills sufficient to deal effectively with necessary routines.
- Demonstrated knowledge of animals, their breeds, characteristics and more common diseases.
- Ability to work co-operatively as a team player and demonstrate well-developed interpersonal skills.
- Superior communication and organizational skills are critical to this position.
- Ability to wo