Animal Services Officer

Under general direction of the Animal Services Supervisor or his/her designee, the Animal Services Officer will uphold the ordinances and laws regarding animal violations. Patrols within the City limits or assigned area; responds to complaints, impounds animals, provides assistance to the general public, verifies animal vaccinations, sets traps to capture wild or domestic animals, administers euthanasia drugs;
May be responsible for the caring of animals at the shelter and maintaining the animal shelter.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

• Primarily enforces animal ordinances by receiving and responding to animal complaints, patrolling within City limits for animals roaming at‑large, apprehending diseased or injured animals, determining animal ownership, and offering suggestions to animal owners regarding complying with laws and ordinances.
• Enforces State and Federal animal regulations, rabies control and licensing requirements and issues citations or files complaints on violations.
• Removes wild animals from residences on request by building and maintaining traps, delivering and demonstrating the proper use of traps, setting traps, picking up trapped animals and relocating the animal or administering euthanasia drugs.
• Performs euthanasia on trapped (high risk) wildlife and any critically injured animals in the field; assists the veterinarian in determining the euthanasia process of animals.
• Prepares and forwards specimen to State laboratory for examination.
• Works collaboratively with the Humane Society and other agencies investigating instances of animal cruelty and animal attacks and maintaining records on violations.
• Provides humane treatment to animals while in the Animal Services Officer's custody.
• Coordinates with local veterinarian for animal impoundment, quarantine and arranging rabies clinics as needed.
• Provides assistance to the general public by assisting customers with adoptions and redemptions, sterilization programs, licensing programs, and trap issuance; helping customers complete paperwork; recording animal information in the computer system; and maintaining and replenishing supplies.
• Enters data necessary for tracking complaints, animals, etc. into computer database. Bills veterinarian clinics as needed.
• Ensures that licensing requirements for pet shop and animal breeders are met.
• Operates City animal services truck in the performance of duties, and utilizes specialized equipment in the snare of animals, i.e., catch poles, animal traps, nets and other standard animal services equipment.
• Testifies and presents evidence in court proceedings.

• May be subject to be on‑call during non‑working hours; with the ability to respond to emergency calls within one (1) hour.
• May be subject to working evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Ability to comprehend and apply established animal services ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures.
• Knowledge of city animal ordinances and State regulations governing animal and disease control.
• Working knowledge of common animal diseases and behaviors.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with work associates and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co‑workers and the general public; ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to work effectively when surrounded by loud noise.
• Ability to maintain accurate detailed records.
• Ability to read labels on medicine containers.
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment including but not limited to traps and euthanasia equipment such as needles, drugs and tourniquets.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.
• Ability to follow instructions, safe practices and standard operating procedures in…