Animal Control Officer

Job Description

This position is responsible for the prevention, detection, and enforcement of the City's animal control ordinances while safeguarding lives and property in the performance of their duties, as an Animal Control Officer. As the Animal Control Officer they are responsible for the apprehension of stray animals, and involves considerable interaction with the public. Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief of Police or his designee.

Patrols city areas on a scheduled basis to locate and contain stray and potentially dangerous animals; locates any code violations concerning animals; issues written warnings for violations if necessary; prepares case files with complaints to be sent to the District Attorney Office, via the police department, for prosecution; delivers animals to designated facilities for disposition; performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of the street names of the City. Some knowledge of animal diseases and their symptoms. Some knowledge of methods of controlling uncooperative animals. General knowledge of City codes and ordinances. Ability to prepare and complete paperwork required with the duties. Ability to deal tactfully and firmly with the public. Ability to contain stray and occasionally dangerous animals. Ability to understand and follow routine orders and assignments presented orally or in writing.

• Patrols assigned area in an animal control vehicle to search for stray, sick, injured, or dead animals and provide services as needed; responds to calls from the public, law enforcement agencies, or other Animal Control Officers concerning injured, stray, sick, or dangerous animals and violations of animal regulatory ordinances; enforces State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, such as leash laws, licensing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering, quarantining, dangerous dog, animal noise, and barking dog ordinances;
  
  picks up and transports animals to the shelter for impounding, disposal, or rabies investigation, or to the veterinarian as appropriate.
• Prepares reports, completes records and various forms such as daily activity sheets, receipts for fees received, citations, quarantine and investigative reports, and logs of controlled drugs used.
• Provides information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, and adoptions; participates in public school and community group presentations.
• Conducts special investigations in response to public complaints of violations of animal regulatory ordinances; appears in court to testify and present evidence regarding violations of animal regulatory ordinances.
• Inspects commercial/hobby kennels and catteries for code compliance.
• Performs animal care duties such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, segregating and isolating animals when necessary; detects disease or injury in animals.
• Cleans and disinfects kennel areas, vehicles and equipment; assists with office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public.
• Uses department issued weapons, such as a shotgun, tranquilizer gun, and pellet gun to capture and/or destroy animals in the field; participates in destroying animals (euthanasia).
• Issue civil and state citations or warnings to violators of various ordinances and testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in criminal cases
• Exhibit community relations by supporting community problem oriented policing
• Assist with the removal of nuisance and/or dangerous wildlife when appropriate

High School Diploma or GED

• -Must meet expectations in performance evaluations.

Must maintain minimum physical and mental standards of the City of BSL:

• Ability to be a self-starter and independent worker
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and other employees

Graduation from a standard high school or GED.

• Must be able to physically perform basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work…