Animal Control Officer

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)

**The BC SPCA is looking to fill the following job opportunity**:
**POSITION**: Animal Control Officer 2 - ACO2

**TYPE**: Temporary, Full-Time (35 hours per week)

**SHIFT**: Tuesday to Saturday
(hours vary between 7:00 am to 9:00 pm)

**LOCATION**: BC SPCA Richmond Animal Centre

**CLASSIFICATION**: CUPE LOCAL 1622

**WAGE**: $26.59 per hour

**CLOSING DATE**: Open Until Filled

**About the Position**:
The position calls for an effective communicator that can handle difficult discussions and provide conflict resolution with diplomacy. The officer will enforce applicable municipal bylaws and provincial laws/regulations within the City of Richmond. This role leads investigation for complaints regarding animal related bylaw violations such as aggressive, stray or barking dogs and animal cruelty complaints. Ensuring a focus on animal welfare, public safety, and enhancing the human-animal bond through education, making sure that all complaints are concluded to the satisfaction of the Branch Manager.

**General Responsibilities**:

- Treats all animals humanely, with compassion and concern, and upholding these values both on and off the job.
- Following BC SPCA standards, policies, and protocols at all times to ensure animal health and welfare. This includes, but is not limited to:

- Using low stress animal handling techniques;
- Using Fear Free practices;
- Observing and reporting on animals’ mental and physical health and welfare;
- Administering medications as specified by authorized BC SPCA staff and community veterinarians if required;
- Transporting animals to and/or from the branch;
- Operate, maintain, and sanitize the BC SPCA’s vehicle and related equipment safely and efficiently; and
- Providing support services in the area of animal husbandry as required.
- Provides exceptional customer service to internal stakeholders and the public:

- Models appropriate care and concern for animals and humans alike and representing the BC SPCA in a professional way;
- Ensures complaints from the public are handled thoughtfully and when needs are outside of our responsibility, are transferred to the appropriate authority as expeditiously as possible; and
- Ensures inquiries/requests from internal and external stakeholders are addressed in an effective, efficient, and caring manner.
- Assists with training and mentoring of other staff.
- Provides guidance and direction to volunteers as requested.
- Assists colleagues when they are in need, including being proactive in identifying ways to collaborate with them to meet or exceed operational requirements:

- Regular participation in meetings with other members of the staff to share ideas and increase productivity
- When required, assisting shelter staff in their duties
- Ensures that safe work practices are implemented as per the BC SPCA Health and Safety protocols and are being carried out to protect staff, volunteers and animals from injury and/or illness.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Additional Responsibilities in the Field include**:

- Investigate and resolve animal bylaw-related complaints as per municipal contract(s) and in keeping with BC SPCA policy/procedure/standards. This includes:

- All complaints related to nuisance animals (e.g. noise, animals at large, and dogs not leashed) as applicable to the contract;
- Complaints of animals that pose a threat to the safety of the public - ensuring the appropriate investigations are completed as per best practice and in adherence to your legal authority;
- Ensure safe capture, containment, and transport of animals (including dangerous animals) as required;
- Reports of animals in distress (e.g. dogs in hot cars) - conducting investigation, collecting information/evidence, and forwarding when necessary to a Provincial Constable, or RCMP if required;
- Issuing bylaw warning notices, bylaw infraction tickets for offences, notices to comply, court orders, and requests for warrants as required; follow up to ensure compliance;
- Give evidence in court related to prosecutions for bylaw violations; swears information, services summons and subpoenas; and
- Exercise some discretion in enforcing the bylaw regulations and make field decisions as to the disposition of complaints.
- Conduct routine patrols of assigned areas (e.g. parks).
- Providing education to the public about responsible pet guardianship and animal welfare; and
- Issuing offense notices, tickets, or warnings as necessary.
- Issuing dog licenses to members of the public, collecting payment and issuing receipt.
- Following up on issues related to unlicensed dogs.
- Complete animal transport duties including:

- Drives animal control vehicle in conducting work;
- Picking up injured, sick, and aggressive/potentially dangerous animals of various species and transpo