Job Summary:

The Animal Control Officer will enforce laws concerning the care and treatment of animals, protect and rescue domesticated animals, and maintain public health standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversees the work and activities of Assistant Animal Control Officers, as assigned.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Receives calls from dispatch and drives assigned vehicle to location.
• Investigates alleged animal abuse, violations of ordinances related to animal care or behavior, or reports of injured, stray, sick, or dangerous animals; interviews individuals having contact with the animal, such as the owners.
• Takes possession of animals that show signs of neglect, inhumane treatment, disease, or malnutrition.
• Transports animals to agency, shelter, or veterinarian, as appropriate, while attempts to locate owners are made and/or when the animal needs to be impounded or investigated for diseases such as rabies.
• Patrols assigned areas in animal control vehicle, seeking animals that are stray, sick, injured, or deceased; provides minor medical treatment when needed.
• Completes records and forms and prepares reports concerning daily activities, fees collected, citations given, investigations made, and controlled drugs used.
• Collects fees for services, licenses, redemption, and adoption.
• Provides information on and answers inquiries concerning licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, adoptions, spraying and neutering, and other related matters.
• Uses department-issued weapons as needed to capture and/or euthanize animals according to established protocol.
• Testifies as an expert witness in legal proceedings.
• Speaks to community groups about the proper care and feeding of pets and the value of pet population control.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must enjoy working with animals.
• Ability to remain patient in trying situations.
• Understanding of animal control procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and explain state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances as they pertain to animal control.
• Ability to communicate with members of the public and to obtain their cooperation and compliance.
• Ability to handle animals in various forms of distress in a safe and humane manner.
• Ability to learn and recognize physical and behavioral characteristics of animals.
• Ability to learn and recognize signs of rabies and other common animal illnesses.
• Ability to euthanize animals that are dangerous, sick, or unwanted.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of on-the-job training.
• Animal care or law enforcement background strongly preferred.
• Valid drivers license.
• National Animal Control Association (NACA) certificate preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stoop, squat, crawl, climb, and perform other physical duties as needed to investigate locations and animals and to apprehend animals when needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all types of weather.