Animal Services Officer

CITIZENS FIRST THROUGH SERVICE EXCELLENCE

We have an exciting Permanent- Part Time, Unionized opportunity in the By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services Department for an experienced and motivated individual.

Animal Services Officer

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Vaughan is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities. Its emerging downtown, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre; Canada's first smart hospital, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital; and the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park continue to generate momentum and excitement. Be part of something amazing and build your career at the City of Vaughan

The City is an equal-opportunity employer and a forward-looking municipality that is committed to fostering a dynamic workplace that is diverse, inclusive and welcoming. As an award-winning organization for its employment and diversity and inclusivity practices, the City is focused on providing its employees with a thriving professional environment that leverages flexible work arrangements, a family-focused benefits package emphasizing work-life balance, learning and growth opportunities, and a place where collaboration and teamwork are valued.

Excellence demands brilliant personalities, visionary thinking and a passion for public service. Vaughan is your place to grow.

Position Overview

Responsible for monitoring compliance with municipal by-laws and specific Provincial Statutes; identifying, investigating and reporting alleged offences and enforcing such laws in accordance with applicable legislation/regulations, as appropriate; Delivers public outreach, education, and awareness regarding responsible pet ownership and participates in City functions. Provides service in the City of Vaughan, and any contracted municipality, as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Carries out all of the legislated and legal requirements of a Provincial Offences Officer, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, and an Animal Services Officer including the interpretation and application of a broad range of City of Vaughan By-laws and Provincial Statues, in a manner that ensures the integrity of law enforcement activities to be independent, neutral, and impartial.

• Employs appropriate investigative techniques guided by standard operating procedures to gather and analyze evidence and develop and implement investigative plans, including conducting interviews of complainants, offenders, witnesses and others having relevant information, conducting surveillance, and seizing, collecting, documenting and properly storing all evidence.

• Patrols assigned areas, in Vaughan or any other municipality, in an animal control vehicle to search for stray, sick, injured, or deceased animals and provide services as required. Picks up and transports animals to the shelter for impounding, disposal, quarantine, or rabies investigation, or to the veterinarian or external adoption kiosks as required; completes records accordingly in departmental software (i.e. Chameleon).

• Patrols assigned area, in Vaughan or any other municipality, to monitor compliance with local Animal Control By-laws and any other pertinent legislation as it relates to animals, and to take appropriate remediation action, both proactive and reactive.

• Conducts investigations concerning injured, stray, sick, or dangerous animals and violations of the Animal Control and Noise By-laws, or any other pertinent legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Conducts inspections of animal-related businesses, in accordance with the City's Business Licensing By-law, or its successor.

• Recommends legal action and prepares court briefs for legal action and submits to reporting Supervisor for review.

• Attends court and other quasi-judicial bodies (i.e.. administrative penalty screenings/appeal hearings.) to present testimony and evidence regarding violations of the Animal Control and Noise by-laws, or other related legislation (i.e. provincial Dog Owners' Liability Act, or its successor); attends as witness where required to support evidence of other officers.

• Handles sick, injured, dangerous, or deceased animals in a safe and humane manner and disposes of deceased animals in accordance with relevant legislation. Assesses and determines when euthanasia of wildlife is necessary; operates a CO2 gas euthanasia system; assists veterinarians or Registered Veterinary Technicians in the tranquilization and euthanasia of shelter animals, as required.

• Utilizes departmentally issued equipment (i.e. nets, catch poles, snappy snares, etc.), as directed.

• Creates, opens, maintains and updates investigation files in departmental databases (i.e. Chameleon, Amanda, Officer Android); updates departmental databases with Provincial Offences Notices, Animal Control Orders, etc.

• Maintains City records in the appropriate data management systems and Officer Notebooks with the required confidentiality related to the investigation process. Complies with Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) regulations and requests.

• Represents the By-Law & Compliance, Licensing & Permit Services Department at various meetings including but not limited to the public, public organizations, elected officials, and internal/external agencies, municipalities, professional organizations, public consultations, etc.

• Interacts with the public, other law enforcement agencies, property owners, tenants, contractors, solicitors, City and other government officials/agencies.

• Responds to inquiries from the public and other agencies, in accordance with organizational standards and legislative requirements and conducts where necessary.

• Provides information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, rabies control, pet owner responsibilities, spaying/neutering, and adoptions, and other animal-related topics; attends educational events as necessary to provide same. Promotes and enforces pet licensing at every opportunity, including issuance in field.

• Performs animal care duties as assigned such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, segregating and isolating animals when necessary.

• Assists with front office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public and issuing animal control orders, as required.

• Assists with assigned departmental tasks and initiatives, as required, including but not limited to, special projects, blitz, joint initiatives, special events, etc.

• Participates in the training new employees, as required.

• Performs other related tasks as assigned, that are in accordance with job responsibilities or necessary department and corporate objectives, including those which may occur in unplanned or emergency situations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Successful completion of a two (2) year College Diploma in Veterinary Technology or a two (2) year Law Enforcement Diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities.

• Minimum two (2) years related animal control enforcement experience, preferably in a municipal environment.

• Valid non-probationary Ontario Class 'G' driver's license, in good standing.

• Strong organizational and report writing skills, accompanied with computer literacy.

• Strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

• Sound judgment and service excellence in dealing with the public and animals.

• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with co-workers, agencies and organizations.

• Knowledge of, and demonstrated ability in, the City's core competencies and relevant functional competencies.

• Ability to utilize all available City software and resources during the course of by-law investigations.

• Ability to manage a workload responsibly and ensure by-law investigations and follow-ups are executed in accordance with Corporate service delivery standards.

• Working knowledge of municipal by-laws, enforcement processes, Provincial Offences Act, Dog Owners' Liability Act, Municipal Act (Administrative Penalties), and court proceedings.

• Ability to lift and move animals or objects weighing up to 100 lbs.

• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to be tactful, patient and courteous, when dealing with the public, elected officials and staff in other service areas and meet all needs of diverse audiences/stakeholders.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to apply these skills when assessing difficult and challenging situations and demonstrate sound judgment and service excellence, at all times.

• Ability to apply a customer service approach in interactions with others and, when problem-solving and addressing by-law infractions, utilizes alternate dispute resolution and/or mediation.

• Expected to work independently and in a team environment in the field and wear a uniform and all issued personal protective equipment at all times while on duty.

• Ability to obtain and maintain membership in good standing of the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers' Association.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please be advised, the City of Vaughan uses email to communicate with applicants for open job competitions.

The City of Vaughan is committed to diversity and inclusivity in employment and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds. The City of Vaughan is also committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.