Job Description
Salary: $28.28 - $36.09 Hourly
Location : Gardena, CA
Job Type: Part-Time
Department: Community Development
Division: Community Development
Opening Date: 05/29/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Description Under general supervision, performs all aspects of municipal code enforcement and animal control programs; performs a wide range of community service duties; performs work under general instructions, but within established policies and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned.
Examples of Duties Representative Duties - Performs tasks in a variety of routine and complex public safety assignments including animal control, park surveillance, and other assigned municipal services.
- Patrols assigned routes; issues violation notices or warnings; responds to calls from the public concerning dangerous, stray, nuisance, injured or dead domestic and wild animals, park disturbances, and parking offenses.
- Patrols city parks by foot and vehicle enforcing rules and regulations, City codes and ordinances.
- Performs special assignments to support other law enforcement actions including licensing activities, traffic control, language interpretation, storage and impound of vehicles, and municipal violation enforcement.
- Educates the public and staff regarding animal regulations; makes presentations at schools and community meetings.
- Researches and responds to customer complaints, questions and concerns.
- Assists in the training of new and subordinate personnel.
- Uses computer equipment and software to input, extract, review, and analyze information and data used in the investigation of animal control, code enforcement and quality of life issues.
- Services and maintains work unit equipment and vehicles.
- Interprets and enforces State, County and City laws, ordinances, regulations and procedures and takes appropriate action firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially to achieve successful results in support of the Department's mission, goals and objectives.
- Coordinates activities with supervisors, co-workers, other City departments, the courts and other law enforcement and government agencies; maintains liaison with community groups.
- Responds to major incidents reported to the Police Department within parks, or involving code enforcement, animal control and traffic control; comprehends and supports the Incident Command System/Standardized Emergency Management System (ICS/SEMS/NIMS); works collaboratively with the Incident Commander for the achievement of the incident objectives and the efficient use of municipal services resources.
- Works cooperatively with personnel, co-workers and the management team; exercises tact, self-restraint and good judgment; takes initiative to achieve positive, timely results for the organization with diplomatic skills and ethical conduct.
- Delivers outstanding internal and external customer service; solves problems and communicate effectively with the public and fellow employees.
- Receives and responds to inquiries and complaints from citizens involving animals throughout the City.
- Patrols City to enforce animal control ordinances and laws, including door-to-door canvasing; assists in investigations of animal abuse and neglect.
- Maintains records of violation notices, crime reports, lost and found animals, and humane education.
- Captures and relocates both domestic and wild animals, using equipment and methods appropriate for animal abatement and control; may require chasing and climbing fences; relocates wild animals.
- Rescues trapped and injured animals; impounds animals, collects and disposes of dead animals.
- Inspects commercial and private kennels, pet stores, and pet and grooming shops to ensure conformance to laws and ordinances; explains violations and need for correction of poor sanitary conditions, inadequate food and over-crowded conditions.
- Works irregular hours including days, evenings and nights, including weekends and holidays; must be available for call-back and automatic return to work with a reasonable response time during off-duty hours for major emergencies, disasters, critical incidents and as otherwise required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Examples of Other Duties The following duties are generally performed by this position, but are not considered to be principal job duties:
- May be called upon to testify in court;
- May use computerized database to enter or retrieve information, such as animal license, ownership, quarantine, or bite records;
- Maintains and cleans equipment and tools; maintains clean and orderly workplace.
Typical Qualifications Qualifications Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; college degree is highly desirable. Any combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates the skill level required to perform the duties of the position may qualify.
Knowledge of: Contemporary code enforcement and animal control concepts, principles and equipment; State, county and city vehicle, parking and animal laws, codes, ordinances and practices; the proper use of English grammar, spelling and vocabulary; City geography including streets, parks, schools and critical facilities; the characteristics and appearance of the most common breeds of dogs, cats and other domestic and wild animals; general office practices, procedures and equipment operation.
Ability to: Learn, understand, interpret and apply City, county, and State laws, codes and regulations; provide excellent customer service; demonstrate a strong work ethic; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; work under stressful conditions for periods of time; work shifts, weekends, holidays, irregular duty assignments; work outdoors in various climate conditions; wear a department approved uniform; operate a police radio, personal computer, common office software and specialized law enforcement software; operate an electronic ticket writing system; push, pull and/or lift up to 75 pounds; exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in sensitive animal care situations; facilitate the management of the most commonly encountered animals including but not limited to: dog, cats, possums, skunks and bees.
License and Certification Requirements Must have and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License.
Within six months of appointment, must obtain P.O.S.T. 832 P.C. certification.
Within one year of appointment, must achieve California Penal Code 597.1 certification.
Please submit the required license, certificate, or registration with the State as evidence of professional or technical proficiency at the same time of filing the application. The Human Resources Officer will require necessary verification of qualifications as specified in the job bulletin.
First review of applications will be June 19, 2025. Supplemental Information Testing Process - Minimum Qualifications Screening - Pass/Fail
- Supplemental Questions - Pass/Fail
- Oral Interview - 100% of total score
*Testing process is subject to change
Candidates must pass all examinations to be placed on eligible list.
Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to the next step in the selection process. All candidate materials will be carefully evaluated and only those considered best qualified will be invited to the next step in the selection process.
Vacation : Four (4) hours per month if the total hours worked is equal to or exceeds sixty (60) hours for each pay period in the month.
Sick Leave : Part-time employees shall accrue four (4) hours of sick leave per month if the total hours worked is equal to or exceeds sixty (60) hours for each pay period in the month. Employees shall be credited with forty (40) hours of sick leave upon date of hire and every January thereafter
Retirement : Employees working less than 30 hours per week will be enrolled in the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) upon date of hire unless the employee was previously enrolled in the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CALPERS). City and employee equally contribute 3.75% towards benefit.
Health Plan Options: Upon eligibility PPO or HMO plans available at cost to the employee. A part-time employee becomes eligible for health insurance if the employee worked an average of thirty (30) hours or more per week over the last twelve (12) months of service.
Bilingual Bonus Pay: The city shall pay each approved part-time employee a Bilingual Bonus of eleven dollars and fifty-five cents ($11.55) per pay period as long as the employee remains eligible for this bonus.
Credit Union : Savings and loan services available through South Bay Credit Union, Kinecta, and F&A Federal Credit Union.
01
Do you have a valid California Driver's License?
02
Please indicate your highest level of education.
03
Do you currently have a P.O.S.T. 832 P.C. certification?
04
Please describe your experience related to the duties of this position.
05
This position will require you to rescue trapped and injured animals, impound animals, and collect and dispose of dead animals. Are you willing and able to do so?
06
How do you imagine a typical day of an employee in the City of Gardena as a Community Services Officer?
07
As a Community Services Officer you may be asked to work a variety of shifts, do you have any restrictions on your availability?
08
Assume you are a Community Services Officer for the City of Gardena. You are responding to a call about an animal locked in a vehicle on a hot summer day. What do you do to ensure you are resolving the situation safely? In your response, please include who if anyone, you would involve or speak with when resolving the situation.
09
As a Community Services Officer, I may have to deal frequently with people who are upset, angry, and/or hostile. Are you comfortable with dealing with people that are upset, angry, and/or hostile?
Required Question City of Gardena, CA
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Part time, Summer work, Work at office, Relocation, Shift work, Night shift, Afternoon shift,