POSITION: Animal Protection Officer (APO)
STATUS: Permanent; Full-time
SHIFT: 35 Hours per week
LOCATION: Covering the South Okanagan Region
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
WAGE: Salaried
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to complete your application.

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding people-focused team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference!

Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.

About the Position:
This position will ensure the prompt and effective investigation of animal cruelty complaints, enforce animal cruelty legislation, treat animals humanely, with compassion and concern in the South Okanagan Region, represent the BC SPCA in all matters relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This role is viewed as a roaming position; therefore, it requires that our selected APO will be available and willing to travel throughout the province for half of the year.

Primary Key Responsibilities:

• The APO is expected to carry out the full range of duties of an Animal Protection Officer relating to all Federal, and Provincial laws relevant to animals as may from time to time be agreed with those levels of government and to act at all times with good humor and compassion, portraying the image of the Society as an understanding body of individuals concerned with the welfare of each and every individual animal and with the feelings of the owners.
• To act as an Animal Protection Officer as defined in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
• Conduct or cause to be conducted, investigations into complaints of cruelty to animals.
• Shall ensure that all complaints are properly and promptly investigated and that all actions taken are recorded in sufficient detail
• To protect the welfare of all animals and the safety of the public and enforce all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations
• To carry out cruelty investigations in an objective, effective and diplomatic manner.
• To carry out inspections of any establishment where animals are kept for sale, hire or entertainment during the normal business hours of those establishments to determine if an animal is in distress
• To respond to calls of both an emergency and non-emergency nature in an effective, efficient and caring manner.
• To give due regard, in dealing with all animal related calls, to:
• minimize the degree of suffering and reduce the chance of further injury to the animal, personal safety as well as the safety of the public
• To respond to situations using knowledge of animal behaviour, animal handling techniques and proper use of rescue equipment
• To respond promptly to such other calls as may be directed by the supervisor
• To offer expertise to assist all statutory authorities as requested
• Take custody of animals that are straying at large, abandoned or apparently ownerless
• Prepare Notices of Disposition in accordance with the PCA Act and BC SPCA policies
• Make decisions with respect to the determination of critical distress in accordance with the PCA Act
• May authorize the euthanasia of an animal determined to be in critical distress
• Investigate complaints to determine if an animal is in distress, and take whatever action necessary pursuant to the PCA Act to relieve that animal\xe2\x80\x99s distress
• Make application to the Justice of the Peace for and execute search warrants in accordance with the PCA Act, Offence Act and Criminal Code
• Gather evidence to assist in the proving of elements of an offence pursuant to the PCA Act, Criminal Code and any other legislation or regulation pertaining to the prevention of cruelty to animals
• Take any action necessary to ensure compliance with Federal or Provincial legislation or regulations pertaining to the keeping, care or prevention of cruelty to animals
• Prepare Reports to Crown Counsel or other reports in the performance of their duties
• Ensure all requested reports, including statistical reports, are submitted on time to the Manager of Cruelty Investigations
• Liaise with other agencies and the public on matters pertaining to cruelty investigations.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required to be successful in this role:
**Must meet qualifications in order to be appointed as Animal Protection Officer**

• High School diploma or equivalent \xe2\x80\x93 Post-secondary education preferred
• Successful completion of Justice Institute of BC courses:

o Introduction to Investigation Skills & Processes
o Introduction to Animal Cruelty Investigations
o Report Writing for Professional Investigators
o Application and execution of Search Warrants

• Law enforcement experience is an asset
• Must have genuine compassion for animals and sound knowledge of the Five Freedoms and related animal welfare standards
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations
• Proficiency in animal husbandry and handling