Animal Control Officer

GENERAL PURPOSE

Employee is responsible for the enforcement, education, and documentation of City ordinances and state laws pertaining to the regulation of animal care and control, diseases, stray, and vicious animals.  Employee will capture, impound, relocate, and dispose of animals. Employee will investigate animal complaints, and issue citations for violations of state laws and city ordinances.  Employee will prepare reports and testify in court when needed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the direct supervision of the Code Enforcement and Animal Control Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Enforce State laws and City ordinances by patrolling assigned areas, issuing warnings or citations for violations of City ordinances and state laws as related to animals, and respond to court requests for contested citations.

Capture and impound dead, sick, injured, stray or trapped domestic and non-domestic animals to assure the safety and health of citizens and animals of the City. 

Respond to complaints from the public regarding stray, sick, injured, and/or abused animals.

Investigate cases of animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, bites, and barking dogs.

Educate the public about City ordinances and state laws related to animal services.

Assist in the removal of deceased animals.

Prepare and maintain a variety of files, records, and reports regarding animal control issues.

Operate, maintain, and utilize an animal control vehicle and animal control equipment such as a leash, muzzle, traps, catch pole, net, radio, and tranquilizing equipment.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Performs all other duties as assigned.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

 Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Some knowledge of City geography.
2. Ability to handle gentle and vicious animals.
3. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, often under adverse circumstances.
4. Ability to carry out oral and written instructions.
5. Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
6. Ability to meet such specific physical requirements as may be established by competent authority.
7. Ability to drive utilizing only side mirrors for rear viewing.
8. Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment.
9. Ability to read and follow a city or GIS map.
10. Competence in record-keeping techniques.
11. Knowledge of methods, equipment and materials used in animal care and control.

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Animal Control Officer Certification or the ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
2. Must possess a valid state drivers license

 
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Large light duty truck with enclosed box, personal computer with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point), iPad/tablet, radio, phone, and other related tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, and use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is required to frequently lift and/or move, push, pull, and control heavy and/or aggressive animals weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance. 

The employee is occasionally required to run, walk, sit, talk, or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, and toxic or caustic chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy.