Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer

The purpose of this position is to ensure the safety of Gila County citizens by enforcement of State and Local laws and ordinances in an impartial and professional manner. This includes protecting the public from rabies exposure by controlling the population of stray dogs and cats and by monitoring exposure to wildlife such as bats, foxes and bobcats. This position enforces State and Local laws and ordinances via responding to call for service, investigations and patrol. Manages and maintains the animal shelter, which involves the preparation and submission of specimens for laboratory tests, animal euthanasia and kennel cleaning. The role is also responsible for patrolling the County for stray dogs and admitting animals to the shelter.

Patrols all unincorporated areas of the County to enforce and monitor for compliance with State and County ordinances pertaining to animal regulations including animal cruelty, barking dogs and animals at-large; investigates nuisance and animal cruelty complaints; interviews witnesses; notifies owners and involved parties of animal violations and corrective actions; writes reports, issues citations and prepares court documents. May coordinate the work activities of inmate trustees.

Prepares and submits specimens for the State lab to test for rabies, frequently performs animal euthanasia on sick, injured, and stray animals; prepares required documentation in relation to euthanasia activities.

Responds to calls for service and provides customer service in selling licenses, renting traps; uses specialty equipment and techniques to capture, contain, and impound domestic, exotic and wild animals, including sick, injured, diseased and vicious animals; relocates wild animals; investigates animal bite reports; collects and prepares specimens for laboratory analysis as necessary; cleans and disinfects vehicles and equipment.

Writes reports as well as citations for animal regulations; manages dog bite and rabies exposure cases; ensures timely treatment processes for individuals exposed to rabies; coordinates rabies vaccinations for animals that bite.

Proceeds with legal action against violators of animal control law; testifies in court on citation issues as required and performs administrative duties, such as selling tags, providing general customer service and admitting dogs and cats.

Creates and maintains complaint files; researches files and computer databases; updates automated and manual computer records and tracking systems; reviews Rabies monthly reports and daily activity logs.

Maintains shelter, cleaning and disinfecting kennels.

Provides community outreach, educational services and animal related information to the public; promotes education and public awareness on animal safety and care; responds to questions regarding animal regulations and rabies issues; conducts public presentations on rabies prevention; makes local radio appearances to provide information on rabies; coordinates rabies control clinic events.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required : High School Diploma or GED.

Minimum Years of Directly Related Experience Required : Five (5) years experience or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Professional Credentials Required / Preferred : National Animal Control Association Certification, Arizona Association of Rabies / Animal Control Enforcement Association Certification. Ability to obtain Department of Corrections Clearance if assigned to supervise inmate worker activities. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Training, public safety, animal control and public health management.

Active listening, customer service, persuading and influencing, problem solving, time management, multi-tasking, typing and data entry and animal handling techniques. Additionally, skills in interpreting laws and regulations, making decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations; interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethic backgrounds; communicating with violators, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, mediating difficult situations, and using effective trapping and confinement techniques; operating motor vehicles and special equipment during emergency, high risk situations; preparing clear, comprehensive, and accurate reports; effectively communicating in written and verbal forms.

Fully and quickly comprehend spoken words, read and write minimum High School level, solve problems sensibly and swiftly, memorize and recall, multi-task and supervise the work activities of assigned personnel. Ability to safely operate and maintain a variety of non-lethal trapping and confinement equipment, and chemical agents; collect data, analyze information, and make logical conclusions based on facts; assist law enforcement with crime scenes, and recognize evidence and causes of crime, death and accidents pertaining to animal control; operate a personal computer and specialized software applications.

Constantly stands to attend to reported incidents; routinely stands to attend to custodian work such as maintaining cleanliness of kennels and animal shelters. Regularly sits to complete report, to operate computers, to operate special equipment, to complete a program, to attend to reception areas and to perform watchmen duties. Regularly lifts work related materials that are under 25 lbs., and up to 75 lbs. Rarely lifts more than 75 lbs. Routinely requires dexterity for use of animal capture tools, keyboard operation and special gadgets; occasionally requires dexterity for special machines. Incumbants in this position may be required to occasionally intervene to break altercations between citizens or between citizen and animal; and walk to and from work sites; regularly bends, kneels to collect evidence and examine scenes and twists to complete tasks; rarely stoops and crawls.

Incumbents in this position perform work in internal environments (County Animal Shelter and in an office setting) and external environments with exposure to inclement weather, and varying temperatures. Incumbents in this position may be exposed to rabid and wild animals and potential physical harm. On rare occasions, incumbents in this position may become exposed to occasional telephone verbal abuse by irate customers or citizens and may personally encounter disgruntled citizens. May be exposed to physical danger, mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, bloodborne pathogens, communicable diseases, constant noise and vibration, wetness and humidity. Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department. Regularly require the use of safety equipment, constantly require biosafety gear, rubber gloves, safety footwear, compliance devices and eye protection devices. Potential errors can result in unfavorable public perceptions and legal ramifications.