ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION

Hours worked per week: 40

Daily Shift:

8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. (May Vary Depending on Department Needs)

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday The City of Helena is an equal opportunity employer. The City shall, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities.

Job Purpose:

Duties of this position are split between Animal Control and management and execution of the City of Helena's Urban Wildlife Management Program. Under general supervision and on varied shifts, performs a variety of duties involved in the enforcement and communication of animal control policies and procedures; and to collect and transport live and dead animals. Seasonally and as needed throughout the year, manage duties of Urban Wildlife Manager which include design and implementation of a management, trapping and culling plan for urban deer within the City of Helena. This is a full-time position; however, it is anticipated this position will operate for approximately six months in each of the job responsibilities each calendar year.

Essential Duties:

These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned.

Duty I:

Enforcement of local laws and regulations related to Animal Control/Urban Wildlife 75%

Time Essential Tasks :

Animal control: Patrol assigned areas; pursue animals by vehicle and on foot; capture and impound unlicensed, stray, and uncontrolled animals; snare animals using special devices; cage or secure animals in Animal Control vehicles. Investigate reports of complaints of animals creating nuisances and take appropriate actions; investigate and prepare police crime/arrest reports for serious violations including cruelty to animals, dog bite incidents, and vicious dog attacks initiated by dog owners; issue citations to violators; make arrests as necessary. Testify in court as an expert witness for the City of Helena regarding the enforcement of animal control laws. Serve as a resource person regarding City animal regulations; conduct public relations meetings with schools, civic groups and organizations, and other public interest groups. Coordinate efforts with health agencies and officials for the prevention of rabies. Serve as a liaison with other agencies including the Department of Livestock, the Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, the Sheriff's Office, and other organizations, as needed. Operate and maintain department vehicle. Transport animals to designated animal shelters or detention centers; examine captured animals for illness or injury; transport sick or injured animals to veterinarian for medical treatment. Remove dead animals from roadways using special devices. Quarantine animals that are known or suspected of inflicting an animal bite on a person; provide follow- up contact to ascertain if the animal is showing any signs of sickness or rabies; file report with the Health Department. Issue citations to enforce City animal regulations including licensing requirements and the Leash Law. Maintain extensive records of the number of animals taken to animal control shelter, breed, and sex of the animal impounded, the location where the animal was captured, deposition of injured animals, and number of citations issued; prepare necessary reports.

Urban Wildlife Manager:

Serve as the primary contact and resource for the public, Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks and other related agencies for operation of the City of Helena Urban Wildlife Program (UWP). Compile data, statistics and general information for department managers, city leadership, FWP management and the public on operation of the program. Effectively communicate details, goals, and progress of the program to public and involved stakeholders. Recruit, maintain and promote positive relationships with private landowners and managers in the city for participation in the management program. Identify effective trapping locations within the city; place, maintain and remove wildlife traps from trapping locations. Research and implement effective methods to attract wildlife to trap locations, serve as a resource and authority to the public on methods and steps to deter deer activity and damage to property. Plan, organize and carry out the yearly urban deer census/count using a pre-determined plan and methodology. Trap, euthanize and field dress deer using established methods; identify opportunities for changes and improvements to program. Transport culled animals to a storage facility; arrange for and transport animals for processing. Work collaboratively with employees of the police or other city departments to carry our program duties. Accomplish end-of-season duties including retrieving, cleaning, and storing traps and related equipment, cleanup of trap sites and communication with property owners. Effectively manage work time, resources, and program budget to accomplish program goals. Duty 2: Public Relation and Education 25%

Time Essential Tasks :

Testify in court as an expert witness for the City of Helena regarding the enforcement of animal control laws. Serve as a resource person regarding City animal regulations; conduct public relations meetings with schools, civic groups and organizations, and other public interest groups. Coordinate efforts with health agencies and officials for the prevention of rabies. Serve as a liaison with other agencies including the Department of Livestock, the Department of Fish and Game, the Sheriff's Office, and other organizations as needed. Assist the Evidence Technician and Clerk with the transportation of evidence and property, as needed. Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this

Position:

Knowledge of:

Basic methods of animal collection, care, and disposal. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary for animal capture and control. Modern office practices, methods, and equipment including computer equipment and applicable software applications. Knowledge of principles of wildlife management pertaining to deer. English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. Principles and practices of basic business letter writing and report preparation. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Principles and techniques used in dealing with the public and public relations. Word processing methods, techniques, and programs including spreadsheet and database applications. Basic mathematical principles. Numerical, alphabetical, and subject matter filing systems. Basic knowledge to properly field dress deer. Safe driving principles and practices Skill or ability to: Operate and maintain equipment necessary to the trapping and culling of deer, including operation of department "clover" traps; use and maintenance of knives and other implements to field dress game animals.

• Operate modern office and computer equipment and technology.
• Operate tools and devices necessary for capturing animals. Operate firearms, including .22 caliber rifles and captive bolt guns. Safely operate and maintain 4-wheel drive pick-up, winch, electrical hoist, and other associated equipment.
• Learn, interpret, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions including animal control and protection laws and regulations.
• Learn proper radio technique to communicate with dispatch.
• Learn general animal diseases to help determine the proper outcome for the animal.
• Learn to properly and safety tranquilize animals when necessary.
• Determine the proper action to take when confronting animals who are agitated, vicious, frightened, or injured.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Prepare and maintain confidential and accurate data, information, and complete records.
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and deadlines.
• Prepare clear, complex, and extensive reports.
• Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public and related service agencies.

Skill or ability to:

(Continued)

• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand the organization and operation of the assigned department and the City necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Pass a thorough criminal background check and investigation to have the ability to access criminal justice information.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, see, hear, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and ability to travel to different sites and locations. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to move and maneuver wildlife carcasses up to 200 pounds with assistance of other persons and/or mechanical equipment. Ability to work in a standard office environment; ability to sit at a computer or in vehicle; ability to travel from one location to another. Physical strength and ability to help contain live animals (domestic and wildlife) in traps.

Work Environment:

Ability to work in varying physically demanding work conditions, nearly exclusively outdoors, in varying weather conditions 12 months a year. Exposure to extreme noise, outdoors, chemicals, mechanical hazards, and bloodborne pathogens/animal diseases.

Safety:

Performs all functions in the safest possible manner and according to policies and procedures. Participates fully with safety trainings. Reports unsafe work conditions and practices, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near-misses as soon as possible to assigned supervisor. Participate fully in safety training. Suggest improvements in safety training requirements or programs to the supervisor or the safety committee. Identify unsafe work conditions and unsafe practices. Correct hazards or report them to the supervisor or safety committee as appropriate. Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training): This position requires a minimum of:

Education:

This position requires a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency.

Experience:

Prior personal or professional experience in handling of domestic animals and/or wildlife. Other relevant combinations of education and work experience may be evaluated on an individual basis.

License or Certificate:

Must possess a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record at the time of hire and have the ability to obtain a valid MT driver's license within six months of hire. Ability to obtain

CJIN/NCIC

certification to access criminal justice information within 12 months of hire.

Supervision Received:

Supervised by the Assistant Chief of Police or designee.

Supervision Exercised:

None. The specific statements shown in each section of this position description are not intended to be all inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully.