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 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 animal residents in Fulton County. Responsibilities involve 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 may be on stand‑by or on‑call duty outside of normal work hours, as part of a 24‑hour, seven day 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 shelter or veterinarian offices; relocates displaced wildlife and removes dead animals from roads; assists law enforcement by removing animals from accident or crime scenes; patrols assigned areas to catch, handle, restrain, transport, and impound stray, injured, unwanted, diseased, neglected or abused animals using specialized equipment, methods and techniques;

inspects animals to determine medical condition and care received and decides on the most appropriate action to prevent inhumane treatment.

Responds to citizen complaints and investigates alleged violations of animal laws and regulatory ordinances; observes alleged violation sites; interviews witnesses; issues warnings and citations to violators; sets up inspection calls to ensure compliance; performs follow‑up inspections as needed.

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

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

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

visits schools to educate students about animal safety.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department operations; receives, reviews, completes, forwards, or retains documents including complaints as appropriate; prepares or completes forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation; compiles data for department reports; maintains…