Animal Control Officer

Job Summary

Are you passionate about animal welfare and public safety? The City of Baytown is seeking a dedicated Animal Control Officer to join our team.

The Animal Control Officer promotes public safety by enforcing state laws and local ordinances dealing with rabies control, cruelty to animals, and health code standards.

This role demands strong research and organizational abilities, careful attention to the requirements for processing and documenting casework, excellent communication skills, the ability to interact tactfully and effectively with the public, and the ability to handle stressful situations with composure.

• Be available for response to emergency calls.
• Be able to maintain a maximum 1‑hour response time.
• Be in uniform when responding to calls for service.

• Field Operations: Operates City animal services vehicles safely and obeys state laws and city policies during the performance of duties. Conducts impoundments, removes wild animals from residences, enforces ordinances, removes deceased animals, educates citizens, maintains work sheets, euthanizes high‑risk animals, prepares rabies specimens, transfers dead animals, performs minor equipment repairs.
• Code Enforcement: Represents Local Rabies Control Authority to enforce state rabies laws and city licensing requirements. Issues citations or written warnings, processes citizen complaints, represents the city in court regarding animal regulation violations.
• Administration: Assists citizens with paperwork for adoptions, redemptions, sterilization, licensing, donations, and trap issuance. Enters data into a computer database, assists with off‑site events, responds to phone calls and walk‑ins, operates two‑way radios.
• Shelter Operations: Maintains proper sanitation, cleans cages and facilities, observes animals, ensures adequate food and water, identifies adoptable animals, cleans exercise areas, reconciles records, euthanizes animals as required, provides humane treatment.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).
• Basic State Certification in Animal Control obtained within the first year of employment.
• Euthanasia Certification obtained within the first year of employment, as required by DSHS.
• Ability to handle all types of animals.
• Ability to work well independently, learn quickly, and remain flexible in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Exceptional customer service, written, and oral communication skills.

Ability to exercise good public relations skills and communicate effectively both orally and in writing; knowledge of animal diseases; ability to handle animals without harm to them, others, or self; ability to properly prepare lab specimens; ability to use proper euthanizing techniques; ability to maintain composure during stressful situations and get along appropriately with co‑workers and the public.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations.

Overall Position Strength Demands:
Medium. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• United Healthcare
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• Annual Deductible (Network) $750 Individual / $2,250 Family
• In‑Network Benefit 80%/20% after plan deductible
• $50 co‑pay (general visit)
• RX – $10 Generic / $40 Formulary / $75 Non‑Formulary
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  Healthcare and Dependent Care expenses
• FREE virtual visits

• Cigna Dental PPO & DHMO
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• Preventative & diagnostic covered at 100%
• Annual Deductible: $50 Individual (Cigna PPO) – No annual deductible for Cigna DHMO

• Superior Vision
• Effective the first day of the month following 30…