Assistant Animal Control Officer

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The Assistant Animal Control Officer is responsible for providing animal control service coverage in the absence of the supervisory, Full‑Time Animal Control Officer. The Assistant Animal Control Officer enforces animal control ordinances and laws, ensures public safety and rights surrounding animal control issues, and protects the welfare of animals. The primary duty of the Assistant Animal Control Officer is to support the full‑time Animal Control Officer in the daily operations of the animal control facility.

Responsibilities include performing morning kennel duties, assisting in the office during morning or early daytime hours, rotating weekends, and a rotating holiday schedule. This is a part‑time position not to exceed 15 hours per week.

• Responds to domestic animal complaints or service requests;
• Impounds and cares for stray domestic animals, or animals requiring animal control intervention at the municipal animal shelter;
• Files reports of animal enforcement activities and functions, according to department procedure and in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, the Town of Auburn General Bylaws, and the administrative regulations promulgated by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health;
• Responds to requests for assistance for sick and/or injured wildlife, specifically rabies vector species, when public safety may be at risk;
• Conducts investigations regarding notices received of possible exposures to rabies, both human and animal, and quarantine animals as necessary;
• Transports injured and/or sick for medical attention and veterinary care;
• Responsible for guiding others, requiring frequent decisions, affecting the individual, co‑workers and others who depend on the services provided by Animal Control;
• Prepares investigative reports, daily log sheets, legal documents and other reports as required. Create, monitor and maintain case files;
• Animal care and sheltering duties as required at the municipal animal shelter, including but not limited to, cleaning, feeding, and behavioral enrichment;
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Must have High School Diploma or GED equivalent;
• Must have a valid motor vehicle driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment;
• Two years of animal handling experience in a professional setting;
• Must have and be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic animal care standards including safe animal handling procedures for domestic and wild animals;
• Must possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively whether verbal and/or in written form;
• Must be willing to attend and complete annual continuing education trainings in accordance with State requirements.

• An advanced degree in animal science, biology, criminal justice, or a related field is preferred;
• Certification as an animal control officer through the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts (ACOAM), the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), or an equivalent certification program; or, willingness to complete training within two years hiring.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performs work that involves walking, standing, stooping, stretching, and lifting
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds with reasonable accommodation.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work environment may have regular exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as zoonotic diseases, parasites, dirt, dust, pollen, odors, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, traffic hazards, pathogenic substances, animal attacks or animal bites. The noise level in the work environment may be very loud at times.

The Assistant Animal Control Officer will report to the supervisory, Full‑Time Animal Control Officer and to the Director of the Department of Development and Inspectional Services.

This is a position that is a combination of on‑call shift coverage with some regularly scheduled hours, not to exceed 15 hours per week.

Pay rate up to $15,000.00 – $21,000.00 annually.

Completed applications, resumes, and letters of interest will be accepted in the Human Resources Office, Town of Auburn, Massachusetts, 104 Central Street, Auburn, MA 01501 or applications.

The Town of Auburn is an Equal Opportunity Employer.