Animal Control Officer

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Police FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISION: This position reports to the Police Chief or his designee.

JOB SUMMARY:

This is routine animal control work in the enforcement of ordinances of the City of Chickasha; it involves responding to complaints, patrolling residential and business areas, and the caring of impounded animals. An employee in this class functions as the enforcement officer of the City’s animal control ordinances with the objective of eliminating health and safety hazards and minimizing nuisances. Duties are performed under general supervision in accordance with established standards, policies, and regulations. This work may occasionally involve safety hazards and strenuous physical activity; and, occasionally involves the exercise of initiative and independent judgment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enforce City ordinances and State Statutes regarding safety and environmental aspects of animals;
• Respond to complaints and perform routine patrol of residential and business areas of the City to detect violations;
• Catch and impound animals as required;
• Care for impounded animals at the City’s animal shelter;
• Occasionally write citations for violations of City ordinances;
• Make court appearances;
• Prepare reports on daily activities;
• Has considerable contact with complainants and animals owners’;
• Deal with a wide variety of animals, domestic and wild;
• Maintain close contact with the City’s contract veterinarian regarding the care of injured and/or impounded animals;
• Dispose of animals euthanized by the veterinarian;
• Must have knowledge and skills on the appropriate use of an animal control dart gun.
• Must keep records pertaining to any animal deemed dangerous.
• Keep inventory of all supplies needed for the function of his duties.
• Maintain proper maintenance of the animal control vehicle.
• Do any other functions that may be required by the Chief of Police or your supervising Lieutenant.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Training and/or experience as would provide the applicant with the below referenced knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Knowledge of animal behavior characteristics;
• Working knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures to catch and impound domestic and wild animals;
• General knowledge of City ordinances and State Statutes pertaining to health, safety, and environmental aspects of animals.
• Knowledge of the geography of the City;
• Ability to apply tact and diplomacy in the relationships with animal owners, complainants, and the general public in the application of enforcement responsibilities;
• Ability to interpret and explain laws and regulations;
• Demonstrated physical fitness abilities;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Must possess a valid Oklahoma Drivers license, and be insurable.

This classification is a “safety sensitive” position as defined by the United States Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, the Oklahoma Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Act and/or Oklahoma Medical Marijuana laws. As a “safety sensitive” classification, you will be subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing. Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening. Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process, or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure to unpleasant weather and requires continuous attention to safe working and operating procedures to ensure the safety of one’s self and fellow citizens;
• Must have the visual acuity to identify problems and detect danger;
• Must possess the aural acuity to understand conversation in quiet and noisy environments, and understand radio transmissions;
• Speech and hearing required to effectively transmit information via the radio, in court, and in person.
• Must have the physical ability to climb stairs and ladders to make proper animal capture and mobility to crawl under low objects;
• Exposed to animal bites, stressful situations, and offensive smells;
• Must have strength to lift, pull and push 50 pounds on a frequent basis and larger weights on occasion.
• Stamina to exert self throughout the day in all weather conditions.

This written job description should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, requirements, experience, duties and skills required. Further, this job description may be changed or amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the City of Chickasha.