Animal Control Officer / Deputy

Do you enjoy interacting with animals? Great! The Surry County Sheriff's Department is currently seeking an individual with integrity, demonstrated sound judgment, and a strong work ethic to enforce all state and local laws involving animal control and animal welfare.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Patrolling the County for stray, unlicensed or injured animals and enforcing state and county animal laws;
• Responding to and investigating animal related complaints and claims of suspected rabies and animal bites; ordering and overseeing animal quarantine;
• Taking in abandoned, stray, unvaccinated and unlicensed animals, checking animal licenses, transporting stray animals for impoundment, transporting animals to the vet, and administering medications;
• Issuing warnings and summons for ordinance related violations and preparing and presenting information in court;
• Preparing and maintaining files, records and reports, rabies related records and data and lost and found records;
• Setting and monitoring animal traps; euthanizing animals and disposing of carcasses;
• Maintaining animal shelter, cleaning and disinfecting shelter, cages, etc.
• Providing technical expertise;
• Educating citizens about animal welfare; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Three (3) years of experience involving animal control, care and handling including some supervisory experience
• Or equivalent training, education, and experience
• Must successfully Basic Animal Control Officer Academy
• Possession of or ability to acquire animal control officer, fire arms, narcotics and controlled substance certifications within one year of employment; and
• Valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, and regulations governing the control of animals and the protection of livestock
• Knowledge of the geography of the County
• Knowledge of the care, control and handling of animals
• Skill in the application of specialized animal capture techniques
• Ability to recognize rabies symptoms and other animal diseases
• Ability to collect facts and prepare reports; ability to deal tactfully with the public
• Ability to handle, lift and/or manage heavy animals
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinates; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, veterinarians, associates and the general public

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment involves dealing with crisis situations that require major decisions involving people, resources and property.