Animal Services Officer

Animal Control Officer

The purpose of this position is to protect citizens from animal-related dangers; enforce animal regulations and ordinances; provide care for impounded animals; and maintain Animal Services facility and equipment.

Responsible for Animal Control Field Operations. Responds to and investigates citizen calls and complaints; patrols for stray, dangerous, or sick / injured animals; chases, captures, contains, and impounds animals using approved methods; investigates nuisance complaints, allegations of neglect or cruelty, and dangerous / aggressive animal complaints; investigates bite cases and rabies risks; issues notices, warnings or citations; provides for care and disposition of animals; traps, removes, and / or euthanizes wildlife; oversees proper disposal of animal carcasses and shelter waste and garbage. Responsible for in-shelter care of animals and maintaining kennels. Monitors animals for signs of health, temperament, and adoptability; administers vaccinations and draws blood for testing; implants microchips; prepares specimens in accordance with state law for rabies shipment and testing; transports animals to veterinarian when necessary. Completes administrative tasks as necessary. Documents calls received and responses; documents rabies and other investigations; and, appears in court when needed. Orders shelter and animal supplies; processes invoices; coordinates care with veterinary clinics; and enters data from field activities into management software program.

Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency. One year experience in animal care required. Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a criminal background check, drug and alcohol test, and a motor vehicle review.

Decisions regarding implementation of policies may be made. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions with the public requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. This position normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and / or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Skilled work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization. Intermediate ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias. Intermediate ability to deal with system of real numbers; practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios / proportions and measurement. Intermediate ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Must be able to contribute to a team oriented and cooperative environment in a positive manner.

Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call during non-working hours. Must be available for timely response to after call-outs when on-call duty. Must have proper vaccinations within six months of employment for job hazards. Bilingual skills, preferred.

Valid class C driver's license required. Must obtain Basic Animal Control Officer certification and Euthanasia certification within 6 months of employment. Fear Free Shelter training required or must be willing to obtain within 90 days of employment.

Considerable exposure to various disagreeable elements. Includes continuous and frequent exposure to weather conditions. Position requires heavy lifting up to 50 lbs., carrying, lifting, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling and reaching. Position also requires sitting, standing, walking or running to perform animal services duties. Exposure to hazards (vicious, wild, rabid animals).