Job Abstract

The City of Gaithersburg Police Department has an immediate opening for an entry-level Animal Services Officer I in the Animal Services Office in the Department's Office of Community Services.

Anticipated starting salary for this entry-level position is negotiable within the target hiring range ($52,000 to $58,000) and will be offered at a level consistent with the relevant experience and qualifications of the candidate. We provide comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, health and wellness programs, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, training and professional growth opportunities, and excellent work/life balance.

As an Animal Services Officer, you will perform a variety of protective service work, including responding to field calls and complaints; transporting, impounding, trapping, or capturing animals; disposing of animal carcasses; patrolling City parks and streets for animal related violations; and monitoring the City's dog exercise areas. Gaithersburg does not operate its own shelter, but partners with the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. The position will work an assigned daily schedule during the Animal Services Office's daily operating hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The assigned shift will be subject to overtime, on call coverage, and the hours may change upon short notice.

We are looking for someone with a positive attitude, flexibility, and a strong work ethic who can follow standard operating procedures but also has the ability to use problem solving skills, sound judgment, and common sense in working through unusual and sometimes highly emotional situations. You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be able to work independently and as part of the team, and have the physical ability and skills to operate animal control tools and equipment and restrain or carry animals of various sizes. You must also have a high degree of patience, tact, and courtesy in dealing with a wide variety of pet and wild animal issues and in interacting with pet or property owners who may be angry, upset, confused, and/or abusive. Multilingual skills are highly desirable. As an Animal Services Officer, you may sometimes be exposed to unpleasant situations involving cruelty to animals, animal remains, injured or dangerous animals, and unsanitary conditions; but the job can be extremely rewarding as well.

In addition to completing the online job application (including the Questions portion of the application) for this position, you are required to complete the Gaithersburg Police Department's Civilian Applicant Questionnaire (PDF) and attach it to your online job application for this position prior to submitting your application through the online process. You must also attach your current resume when submitting the online application. Only applicants who submit a completed online employment application, resume, and the Civilian Applicant Questionnaire will be moved to the next step in the review and selection process.

Download and complete the Police Department's Civilian Applicant Questionnaire by clicking on the words "Civilian GPD Applicant Questionnaire" below (this is the link to the questionnaire):

CIVILIAN GPD APPLICANT QUESTIONNAIRE (PDF)

WARNING:

Intentionally lying or intentionally withholding information

will result in a permanent disqualification

Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click here to view the complete classification description for the Animal Services Officer I position (Grade 105 in the City's FY 2024 Schedule of Salary Ranges). The classification description indicates the full salary range established for a position in this grade.

Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered:

Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is highly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.

This position is non-exempt, which means an individual in this position is eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the City's personnel regulations. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

The successful candidate will be subject to a comprehensive background investigation required for civilian employees of the Gaithersburg Police Department and a pre-employment medical examination including drug/alcohol screening. The candidate must also undergo the pre-exposure rabies series before animal handling occurs.

The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.

For more information about the position, contact Police Administrative Bureau Commander Lt. John Leache at John.Leache@gaithersburgmd.gov or 240-805-1792. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at hr@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301.258.6327.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.