Animal Control Officer

Position Summary:

The Animal Control Officer is responsible for the enforcement of the City's animal control ordinances and all state and federal laws. This position involves considerable interaction with the public. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Animal Control Director or their designee.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Proactively patrol city enforcing the city's animal control ordinances and all federal and state law, issuing warnings and/or citations.
• Investigates reports from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, or diseased animals.
• Responds to and investigate incidences involving animal bites.
• Prepares reports, completes records and various forms such as daily activity sheets, citations, quarantine and investigative reports, and logs of controlled drugs used.
• Provides information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, neutering, and adoptions; participates in public school and community group presentations.
• Performs animal care duties such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, segregating and isolating animals when necessary; detects disease or injury in animals; cleans and disinfects kennel areas, vehicles, and equipment.
• Receives animals brought to the shelter by the public and release impounded animals to the public.
• Testifies in court to present evidence or act as witness in criminal cases.
• Inspects commercial/hobby kennels and catteries for code compliance.
• Operates humane traps, cellular phones, and related animal control tools and equipment.
• On call and shift work will be required.
• Will euthanize animals as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid Texas Class C Driver's license
• Basic Animal Control Officer Certification (within one (1) year of employment)
• Euthanasia Certification (within one (1) year of employment)
• At least six (6) months experience caring, cleaning and feeding animals highly preferred.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

Knowledge of:

• Behavior and handling of common domestic animals.
• Methods and equipment used in the care and control of animals.
• Safety practices related to the work.
• Health and hygiene of animals.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, at all levels of responsibility, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• State and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the proper care and control of animals.

Skills in:

• Handling and controlling animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency circumstances.
• Maintaining accurate and legible records and preparing basic reports.
• Accurate data entry and review.

Ability to:

• Perform various task with a minimum of supervision.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Speak effectively to communicate in person or over the telephone
• Make basic mathematical computations accurately.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Mobility to work in a typical kennel setting; strength and stamina to lift and maneuver animals weighing up to 75 pounds with proper equipment; ability to bend, stoop, kneel and occasionally crawl. Work is subject to performance while exposed to adverse environmental conditions, loud noises and unpleasant sights and odors; exposure to animal bites and other related injuries; incumbent must be willing to handle injured, ill or dead animals in potentially hazardous situations.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $16.81 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person