What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Protection Officer position at City of Boulder, CO?
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Application Deadline:
April 10, 2025
Compensation Details:
Hiring Range
27.96 - 40.55
This is a full-time hourly position.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility Group:
BMEA (20 Hours)
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the
Employee Benefit Eligibility
document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
To provide high quality animal protection and human safety services through compassion, education and enforcement of laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantine, impoundment and treatment/protection of animals, upholding human safety, and related duties as required.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responds to calls/complaints for service regarding stray, vicious, injured, sick, nuisance and dead animals.
- Resolves complaints through enforcement, investigation, and mediation.
- Investigates violations of animal laws, animal bite cases, cruelty/neglect cases, and neighborhood disputes related to nuisance animals.
- Gathers evidence and enforces quarantine orders, issues summonses and warning notices, impounds animals, and manages wildlife conflicts.
- Prepares cases and testifies in court, includes being a credible witness.
- Knowledge and enforcement of laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantine, impoundment and protection/treatment of animals.
- Maintains awareness of new laws and legislation pertaining to animal protection.
- Interprets laws and regulations applicable to animal protection and informs staff of changes in such regulations.
- Assists and advises the public of laws and ordinances pertaining to care and treatment of animals.
- Provides on-going patrol and initiates activity when violations are observed.
- Prepares a variety of reports, including numbers of animals impounded, animal bites, complaint reports, animals euthanized, and investigation reports.
- Makes oral presentations before business, civic, school and/or other groups as appropriate on topics pertaining to animal protection, animal welfare, and public safety.
Other:
- Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
- Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies, participating in professional trainings and development, and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
- Ability to be flexible and open to change.
- Ability to demonstrate interpersonal, problem solving and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to deal tactfully with the public.
- Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to handle confidential information in a secure, professional and discretionary manner.
- Ability that can be demonstrated to handle multiple demands simultaneously, deal with interruptions, and handle difficult situations under time pressure.
- Knowledge at a working level of computerized databases including Word and Excel. Skills and competency in basic arithmetic.
- Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous animal protection officer or welfare investigator experience or equivalent.
- Demonstrated experience in leadership, team building, problem-solving, and strong people skills.
- Associates and/or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Training and/or certification from an accredited veterinary technical school.
- Animal training or behavior consultant certification.
- Knowledge of the Boulder area and community, and familiarity with the geographic layout of the City of Boulder.
- Ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations and to formulate, develop, and present recommendations for such regulations.
- Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in explaining and enforcing state laws and local ordinances pertaining to animal protection and to diffuse hostile situations and calm irate residents.
- Bilingual skills in English/Spanish.
- Animal Welfare Association of Colorado certification.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Must possess a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
- Two (2) years of experience working with the public, preferably in a customer service capacity.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Demonstrated personal and professional honesty, integrity, good judgment as shown in applicant’s criminal history, background investigation and motor vehicle record, and use of drugs and alcohol. Preference will be given to applicants who have no history of use, sale or possession of illegal substances. Polygraph or Computer Voice Stress Analyzer used for verification of applicant information. Prior to employment, successful applicants are required to submit to a drug test. Position may also require passing a video interview, in-person interview and medical and/or psychological testing prior to employment.
SUPERVISION
Supervision received: Animal Protection Supervisor
Supervision exercised: None
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical and mental effort: Occasional sitting to perform office tasks and patrol for loose or dangerous animals; frequent standing, walking, and running while chasing animals on all types of terrain in different weather conditions. Frequent crouching, squatting, bending, and twisting to detain animals to place in cages and load in vehicle. Must be able to tolerate awkward movements such as resisted twisting, bending or lifting; frequent reaching below shoulder level and occasionally above shoulder level to load and unload captured animals; occasional jumping, kneeling, climbing, and balancing on fences and stairs. Frequent firm grasping and occasional light grasping, pinching, and fine motor skills. Constant near acuity and depth perception are requirements for vision, as is the ability to consistently hear and communicate via phone and two-way radio systems. Frequent lifting of 50 pounds from ground level to shoulder height and 20 pounds from ground level to overhead; frequent carrying of 50 pounds for 25 feet; occasionally lifting and carrying greater weights.
APPLICANTS MUST BE ABLE TO
- Lift a 90-pound weight from the floor to a height of 36 inches and return it to the floor
- Drag 150-pound object twenty feet
- Lift 30 pounds, carry 20 feet and place object on the floor
- Push and pull 75 pounds utilizing a five-foot extended pole
- Run 100 yards
Work environment
Work is commonly performed outdoors and occasionally indoors with frequent exposure to extreme temperatures. Work is performed year-round with occasional exposure to wet/humid conditions, loud noise, dust, fumes, mist, chemicals, and all types of animals and situations including impoundment, quarantine, carcass removal and euthanasia. Due to the nature of the position, periods of high activity and stress in emergency situations under demanding conditions will exist, along with the handling of dangerous or fractious animals.
Machines and equipment used
Frequently uses standard office equipment and department vehicle. Mobile and portable radio systems and computer systems are used to communicate with dispatch and animal protection officers. Requires the use of animal handling equipment such as Kevlar gloves, leashes, catch pole, humane trap, snake tongs, nets, cages and a euthanasia pole. Personal protective equipment includes the use of baton, asp, Taser, OC spray, traffic vests, and latex, leather, or Kevlar gloves. Must be able to euthanize animals in emergency situations using a syringe/pole syringe. Driving large van with side mirrors and backup camera.
Additional Job Description:
Last updated: March 26, 2025
The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.
