Animal Services Officer

Animal Care Officer

Perform duties related to the care or capture of animals that have been abandoned, injured, or allowed to roam freely by their owners, and taking appropriate enforcement actions. Every employee in this department must make ethical decisions daily, conforming to applicable laws and departmental policy, communicate effectively with our citizens and coworkers while remaining professional in all circumstances.

Examples Of Duties

Gather, transport and unload dead animals. Capture stray animals. Administer vaccinations and implants microchips as necessary. Clean and maintain the Animal Shelter daily. Collect fees for impounds, releases, adoptions, or registration of animals. Must understand the health necessity of euthanizing animals and must be agreeable to perform this function, and administer injectable euthanasia products. Operate a city vehicle in a safe manner under a variety of weather and lighting conditions, ensuring the vehicle is properly maintained, fueled and cleaned. Communicate effectively via radio, telephone, and in person, with citizens, coworkers, supervisors, and instructors, including persons of diverse backgrounds without prejudice. Routinely enforce city ordinances related to animals, primarily by self-initiated activity, capturing animals running at large in violation of city ordinance or as directed, and issuing citations and warnings for ordinance violations. Operates City CAD system. Appear in Municipal Court to testify regarding violations cited. Pickup or transport equipment and supplies as directed daily. Routinely produce complete and detailed written and typed reports, and document calls and investigations completed. Perform follow-up investigations on code violations or animal cruelty cases as directed. Must be able to work on-call shift and live in a radius that will allow response to emergency situations within 30 minutes. May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Maintain minimal fitness levels to perform all tasks. Ability to drive a city vehicle safely under a variety of conditions. Ability to walk long distances & run after animals. Ability to remain seated or standing for long periods of time while remaining alert, working independently without direct supervision on any shift, which includes nights, weekends, and holidays. Ability to effectively communicate with others, writing, comprehending, and speaking the English language. Must remain professional and courteous while dealing with often angry or hostile individuals. Ability to work with others effectively as a team to accomplish tasks without discriminating against race, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status. Ability to bend and lift 50lbs or more. Ability to type proficiently and efficiently utilize Microsoft Office suite. Must pass Basic Animal Control Officer Course within first six months of employment. Must have vision correctable to 20 / 20, hearing correctable to normal range, and full use of both hands. Must attend required training, which might require travel occasionally overnight, or attend and testify in court when summoned. Knowledge of Petpoint data entry preferred. Must be willing to submit routinely to drug screens on a random or unexpected basis. Must have no animal related allergies.

Education And Experience

Required : Minimum of 18 years of age. High School Diploma or G.E.D. Valid Texas Driver's License without restriction (except A) at the time of appointment. In the past three years; no more than three moving violations, three accidents, nor any involuntary license suspensions. Preferred : Two years' animal handling experience. Advance ACO Certification. Euthanasia certification. Ability to speak Spanish.