ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Animal Control Officer

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Animal Control Officer enforces ordinances and laws regarding animal control. This is accomplished by patrolling within the City limits, responding to complaints, impounding animals, providing assistance to the general public, and investigating animal bites and animal cruelty cases.

SUPERVISION: Reports to the Police Chief or designee.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs animal control duties by investigating animal bites, testing for rabies in unclaimed animals involved in a bite and in high risk rabies animals, ensuring owners quarantine animals after a bite incident, completing work order records.
• Performs daily duties by patrolling the City for violations of ordinances, responding to calls for service, ensures the education of citizens on laws pertaining to animal control, cleaning and maintaining the animal control vehicle, and disinfecting animal control transport containers.
• Subject to on-call status as needed for after-hours calls.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience in Animal Control preferred but not required.

Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operation, technical, or office processes.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES:

Valid Class C driver’s license with acceptable record

Basic Animal Control Certification highly preferred; OR

Ability to obtain Basic Animal Control Certification within 1 year

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations relative to animal control.
• Ability to provide sound advice to others outside of direct reporting relationships on general laws or ordinances which may require the consideration of different points of view to reach agreement.
• Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, and manuals.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations.
• Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a focus on operational efficiency and reliability.
• Ability to work in inclement weather.
• Ability to work with a crew and co-workers in a courteous manner.
• Ability to stand and walk for periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry objects or animals weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to handle emergency situations with confidence and a calm demeanor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed outside with frequent exposure to extreme/inclement weather conditions. Must frequently work in humid conditions, with exposure to moving traffic, fumes, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, irritating plants, dogs, cats, rodents, snakes, insects, and other animals, both domesticated and feral. Must be able to work in weather extremes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Frequent walking, standing, driving, bending. Occasional sitting, lifting, pushing/pulling, crouching, twisting. Some carrying, kneeling, fine dexterity, crawling, climbing, and balancing required. Ability to work, stand, and climb on uneven terrain. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.