Animal Control Officer - 2 - 103 - Maple Ridge

The BC SPCA is recruiting to fill the position of Animal Control Officer 2 (ACO2). This position is to satisfy our requirements our contract with the City of Maple Ridge to provide animal control and sheltering services for Maple Ridge.

About the position:

The Maple Ridge Branch is seeking professional, community-minded and welfare focused Animal Control Officer (ACO2) to fill a permanent, full-time position in Maple Ridge.  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 Maple Ridge.  This position the lead investigator 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, this position ensures all complaints are concluded to the satisfaction of the Branch Manager.  

This position is also responsible for the capture and transport of animals with various behavior (including aggressive) and candidates should have sound knowledge of the care and handling of different species. 

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;

        o Using Fear Free practices;

        o Observing and reporting on animals’ mental and physical health and welfare;

        o Administering medications as specified by authorized BC SPCA staff and community veterinarians if required;

        o Transporting animals to and/or from the branch;

        o Operate, maintain, and sanitize the BC SPCA’s vehicle and related equipment safely and efficiently; and

        o Providing support services in the area of animal husbandry as required.

• Provides exceptional customer service to internal stakeholders and the public.

        o Models appropriate care and concern for animals and humans alike and representing the BC SPCA in a professional way;

        o 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 

        o 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.

        o Regular participation in meetings with other members of the staff to share ideas and increase productivity

        o 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:

        o All complaints related to nuisance animals (e.g. noise, animals at large, and dogs not leashed) as applicable to the contract;

        o 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;

        o Ensure safe capture, containment, and transport of animals (including dangerous animals) as required;

        o 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;

        o 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;

        o Give evidence in court related to prosecutions for bylaw violations; swears information, services summons and subpoenas; and

        o 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).

        o Providing education to the public about responsible pet guardianship and animal welfare; and

        o Issuing offense notices, tickets, or warnings as necessary.

• Issuing dog licenses to members of the public, collecting payment and issuing receipt.

        o Following up on issues related to unlicensed dogs.

• Complete animal transport duties including:

        o Drives animal control vehicle in conducting work

        o Picking up injured, sick, and aggressive/potentially dangerous animals of various species and transporting to a veterinarian or animal shelter;

        o Impounding stray animals of various species; and

        o Picking up and/or arranging for removal of deceased animals of various species.

• Ensure all records related to any and all of the above duties are kept up to date, including documenting pertinent information, completing required forms and reports, including those that may be used in the prosecution of offences.

• Work collaboratively with other stakeholders such as government representatives, police, special provincial constables, and other enforcement agencies to ensure animal welfare and public safety in the community.

• Responding to other calls and completing other related duties as assigned.

Required knowledge and skills to succeed in this position:

• Grade 12 education

• Completion of Bylaw Level 1, completion of Langara College Animal Control Course and 1-2 years’ related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.  Related experience includes, but is not limited to:

        o Working hands-on with animals in a veterinary clinic, animal care facility, animal control setting, or other care/training facility;

        o Enforcement of bylaws or other type of applicable experience. 

        o Managing and diffusing conflict; and

        o Record-keeping

• Valid BC class 5 driver’s license in good standing

• Ability to reduce risk by making decisions in the field that ensure public and personal safety

• Ability to multi-task various priority tasks

• Ability to prepare and present evidence and to conduce oneself professionally in court

• Knowledge of the care and handling of animals; able to successfully manipulate the equipment used in animal handling

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out oral and written instructions

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Ability to meet the public in a diplomatic, tactful and discreet manner and to establish and maintain good relationships with stakeholders

• Philosophical alignment with the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the organization

• Physical ability to lift, pull, and push heavy objects as well as handle aggressive animals

• Sound 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

• Basic computer skills sufficient to deal effectively with the necessary front office routines

• Ability to prioritize demands on time and work with limited supervision