What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Control Officer - Baldwin County Commission position at Baldwin County Alabama?
Position Description
This is entry level work enforcing animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations. Employees in this class patrol a defined geographic area and respond to and investigate complaints and possible violations related to animal control. Employees in this class may perform other duties related to the care and maintenance of the animal shelter facility and impounded animals as assigned.
This position requires driving as an essential function of the position. For Baldwin County driving requirements, please see the following link: Driver Qualifications. Successful applicants must be at least 20 years old, insurable by the County’s insurance carrier, pass a criminal and motor vehicle background check and will be subject to a pre-employment drug test and physical.
Essential Job Functions
- Patrols a defined geographic area to ensure compliance with animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations; responds to and investigates animal complaints and possible violations of state law concerning stray dogs and cats without rabies tags and dogs running at large; prioritizes complaints received from the public.
- Issues warnings and/or citations for state animal control law violations.
- Captures, handles, and transports stray, sick, injured, diseased, vicious, feral, domesticated, and wild animals and transports them to the animal shelter or veterinarian if needed.
- Communicates with the public concerning animals at the shelter, state laws, and information regarding responsible pet ownership.
- Keeps records of calls and complaints received and actions taken and ensures the data is entered into the shelter computer software.
- When not performing patrols, cleans and disinfects cages, floors, and walls of kennels under the direction of the Animal Resource Supervisor as assigned.
- When not performing patrols, interacts with the public to provide adoption of available pets under the direction of the Animal Resource Supervisor or Senior Animal Control Technician as assigned.
- When not performing patrols, assists the Animal Placement Specialist as needed.
- Transports animals to the veterinarian in the mornings prior to performing animal control patrols and transports at other times during the day when not performing patrols.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
- Testifies in court when required.
Education and Experience
- Possess a valid driver's license and be insurable by the County's insurance standards.
- Minimum of six (6) months of experience in the animal control field (or in the care and handling of domesticated animals).
- Must have own transportation.
- Be willing and available to attend training related to job.
- Willingness to work overtime and non-standard hours as required.
- Injuries from animals pose a work hazard for employees in this class.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Some knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing the custody and disposition of animals.
- Some knowledge of safety practices and procedures in dealing with animals.
- Some knowledge of the geography of the area assigned to patrol.
- Ability to learn and use software applications.
- Ability to read, interpret and explain animal control laws, ordinances and regulations.
- Ability to make clear, concise reports.
- Ability to operate a two-way radio.
- Ability to perform strenuous tasks such as lifting, carrying, crawling and running.
- Ability to work in varying weather conditions, to include heat and cold temperatures.
- Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, employees and the general public.
- Manual dexterity to write and type.
Baldwin County Commission and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, disability, citizenship or veteran status in employment. It is the intent of the Baldwin County Commission and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office to guarantee equal opportunity to allow disabled employees a bias-free work environment. Baldwin County Commission and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation in compliance with the ADA. Recruitment and selection processes will grant equal opportunity for employment to qualified applicants and will not discriminate on the basis of disability. Reasonable accommodation will be provided upon request during the application, testing, and interview process.
