Animal Control Officer

The purpose of this position is to ensure the safety of Gila County citizens by enforcement of State and Local laws and ordinances in an impartial and professional manner.

This includes protecting the public from rabies exposure by controlling the population of stray dogs and cats and by monitoring exposure to wildlife such as bats, foxes and bobcats.

• Enforces State and Local laws and ordinances via responding to calls for service, investigations, and patrol.
• Manages and maintains the animal shelter, including preparation and submission of specimens for laboratory tests, animal euthanasia, and kennel cleaning.
• Patrols the County for stray dogs and admits animals to the shelter.
• Enforces compliance with State and County animal ordinances in unincorporated areas, including animal cruelty, barking dogs, and animals at-large.
• Investigates nuisance and animal cruelty complaints; interviews witnesses; notifies owners and parties of violations and corrective actions; writes reports, issues citations, and prepares court documents.
• Coordinates the work activities of inmate trustees, when applicable.
• Prepares and submits specimens for the State laboratory to test for rabies; frequently performs animal euthanasia on sick, injured, and stray animals; prepares required documentation.
• Responds to calls for service and provides customer service related to licenses and traps; captures, contains, and impounds domestic, exotic, and wild animals with specialty equipment; relocates wild animals; investigates animal bite reports; collects specimens for laboratory analysis; cleans and disinfects vehicles and equipment.
• Writes reports and citations for animal regulations; manages dog‑bite and rabies exposure cases; ensures timely treatment for individuals exposed to rabies; coordinates rabies vaccinations for biting animals.
• Proceeds with legal action against violators of animal‑control law; testifies in court on citation issues; performs administrative duties such as selling tags, providing customer service, and admitting dogs and cats.
• Creates and maintains complaint files; researches files and computer databases; updates automated and manual records and tracking systems; reviews monthly rabies reports and daily activity logs.
• Maintains shelter cleaning and disinfecting operations.
• Provides community outreach, education, and animal‑related information to the public; promotes awareness on animal safety and care; answers questions regarding regulations and rabies; conducts presentations on rabies prevention; makes local radio appearances; coordinates rabies control clinic events.