Animal Services Officer

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION

CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

High School diploma or GED required: supplemented by one (1) year of experience caring and handling of shelter animals and wildlife; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Must possess and maintain the following certificate(s) within 12 months of employment:
National Animal Control Association (NACA) ACO (Animal Control Officer) I.

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

The purpose of this classification is to provide a safe environment for both humans and animals residents in Fulton County. Responsibilities involves responding to dispatch calls to provide animal rescue, assist the public with animal‑related situations, and enforce state and local animal statutes within Fulton County and its municipalities. This classification is distinguished from Animal Services Officer II in that the latter is a higher‑level position that includes training responsibilities.

Incumbents work on a varied shift schedule and are subject to be on stand‑by or on‑call duty outside of normal work hours, as part of a 24‑hour, seven (7) days a week operation, including weekends and holidays.

Enforces animal related laws or ordinances; captures domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals; sets animal traps and loads animals into cages; transports animals to animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations; relocates displaced wildlife and removes dead animals from roads; and assists law enforcement by removing animals from accident scenes or crime scenes; patrols assigned areas to catch, handle, restrain, confine, transport and impound stray, injured, unwanted, diseased, neglected or abused animals using specialized equipment, methods and techniques;

inspects animals to determine medical condition, care received and to decide on the most appropriate course of action to be taken to prevent inhumane treatment of animals.

Responds to citizen complaints and investigate alleged violations of animal laws and regulatory ordinances; observes areas of alleged violations and interviews witnesses to determine if laws are being violated; issues warning and citations to violators; sets up inspection calls to ensure compliance with laws and ordinances; and performs follow‑up site inspections as needed.

Conducts investigations and prepares written reports of incidents; prepares evidence for court cases; testifies in court as a witness in animal control related cases; monitors and assists with court related matters; reviews cases submitted by officers; develops summaries of court‑related activities; and performs follow‑up as needed.

Assists in maintaining the shelter by performing duties such as recovery of animals, cleaning, feeding and other duties that may be required; works closely with the intake coordinator, impoundment, dispatch, and animal care team to ensure correct intake data is given; ensures that animals are accurately identified, recorded, and placed in kennels; and secures proper confinement and disposition of animals.

Interprets and enforces the provisions of applicable federal, state, and local codes, ordinances, laws, rules, regulations, specifications, standards, policies and procedures: provides information and assistance concerning code and ordinances requirements; discusses problem areas with animal owners, residents, and businesses; makes suggestions and recommends solutions to violations; responds to questions or complaints concerning animal code violations; educates citizens about services, resources, laws, and regulations relating to the control, confinement, vaccinations, adoptions, shelters, and care of animals;

and visits schools to…