Animal Control Officer

Description

Position Description:

Under supervision of the Carson City Shelter Manager, the Animal Control Officer performs field animal control work in accordance with state laws, city and county ordinances and provides humane care of animals in custody. The Animal Control Officer enforces animal control ordinances, patrols neighborhoods, and responds to citizen complaints. Handles all animals humanely, safely and with compassion, including those that may be injured, wild or potentially vicious.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct regular patrols in assigned areas for animals at large, controlling and transporting them to the animal shelter for impoundment.
• Contact citizens in order to educate, give warnings and issue citations, as directed by Animal Control Ordinance, in an effort to resolve complaints. Will testify in court as necessary
• Safely perform animal rescues and respond to emergency calls.
• Safely euthanize animals by injection in emergency situations.
• Remove and transport dead animals for disposal.
• Maintain records and reports.
• Safely drive, operate and maintain a dispatched vehicle.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with government agencies, vendors, City employees, and the general public.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of privileged communications and information and complies with privacy laws and regulations.
• Investigate animal cruelty and abuse.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• High school graduation or GED equivalent.

Experience:

• 1 or more years of working with animals required
• 1 or more years in animal control or sheltering preferred
• 1-3 years of customer service experience preferred
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Licenses:

• Valid CA or NV Driver’s license and ability to pass Nevada Humane Society Motor Vehicle Report criteria. Current auto insurance. 
• Ability to pass Carson City Background Check
• Must hold a Nevada State Euthanasia Certificate along with demonstrated ability and skill in humane euthanasia techniques or ability to obtain certification within six months of employment.

Availability: 

• NHS is open seven days a week, as animals need daily care. Availability and a willingness to work a flexible schedule are a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Good interpersonal, communication, customer service, and time management skills are essential for this position.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the work place.
• Ability and initiative, good team player.
• Maturity, good judgment and a professional personal appearance.
• Ability to read, write and understand English.
• Highly organized and able to multi-task while maintaining a high quality of work.
• Flexible and enjoys handling a variety of tasks.
• High level of accuracy with data entry and strong computer skills, able to learn new programs quickly.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills—outgoing, courteous, patient, professional, and able to get along well with variety of people.
• Strong written communication skills and Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Office applications.

Physical Requirements:

• Will be required to stand or sit for long periods of time, climb fences/ladders, walk, reach, frequent bending and stooping, lift and carry up to 75 lbs. without assistance
• Physical ability to engage in repetitive motions of legs, arms, and hands, to hear, to see, and to move animals and goods.
• Will work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions during daylight and after dark.
• Will be exposed to loud noise, offensive odors, chemicals, animal parasites and excreta
• Will work with healthy, sick, dead and fractious animals.
• Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.

**We want to make employees aware that from time to time we euthanize animals who are sick or injured. Also, from time to time we need to end the life of a dog who has displayed aggressive tendencies and who poses a risk to public safety or to the safety of other animals.**