Animal Control Officer

Job Title: Animal Control Officer

Department: Animal Care
Salary: Pay Grade 11

Benefits Information

Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Three medical plan options, including two fully covered by the City for employees
• Vision and dental coverage for employees and their families

Paid Time Off

• 14 Paid holidays (as established by City Council)
• Vacation leave accrues from the date of hire
• Sick leave accrues from the date of hire

Retirement & Financial Benefits

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): 7% employee contribution with a 2-to-1 City match
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plans
• Voluntary flexible spending accounts (FSA) & health savings accounts (HSA) for health and dependent care

Insurance & Disability Coverage

• Employer-sponsored long-term disability
• Employer-sponsored life insurance for employees, spouses, and children
• Voluntary short-term disability
• Voluntary additional term & permanent life insurance for employees, spouses, and children

Professional Development & Additional Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Certification pay for eligible employees
• Longevity Pay
• Safety Bonus

General Description

The Animal Control Officer enforces animal control laws through the capture, handling, transportation, and disposition of animals according to City and other laws and regulations. He or she patrols the City and responds to assignments and requests for assistance; educates the community about stray or vicious animals and related diseases; and investigates complaints. The Animal Control Officer communicates frequently with co-workers, member of the public and others in order to carry out Essential Job Duties.

Essential Job Duties

The Animal Control Officer must be able to perform the following essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Enforces City and State animal regulations including, but not limited to cruelty to animals, dangerous or vicious animals, and animal bites, including but not limited to dogs, cats, livestock and fowl.
• Performs emergency animal rescue services, emergency night call service, and animal first aid when required.
• Feeds, cleans and sanitizes the animal holding areas, administers medications and basic medical care as needed.
• Serves and responds to court and Animal Control Board summonses as necessary, and represents City at court hearings.
• Maintains required radio contact.
• Sets traps to capture evasive animals.
• Destroys dangerous or vicious animals in a safe humane manner as authorized by supervisor or Department procedures.
• Educates the public on proper animal care, wildlife problems, and animal control regulations.
• Prepares and maintains necessary records.
• Refers Animal Cruelty and similar cases to the Converse Criminal Investigations Division.
• Performs routine, simple vehicle and equipment checks and reports needed maintenance.
• Responds to and investigates complaints from citizens concerning domestic animals.
• Follows City policies and procedures, his or her training, and the instructions and guidance of supervisors or those in authority.
• Communicates effectively with supervisors, co-workers and others (internally and externally) in order to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve and/or report problems or complaints.
• Uses good judgment in all decision-making and in carrying out all job duties.
• Works in various outdoor climate conditions as needed, including hot, cold and wet environments and enclosed spaces.
• Is helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrates a good attitude in all dealings with the public, co-workers and others.
• Discusses matters affecting the job or performance with immediate supervisor.
• Punctual, regular, on-site, in-person attendance is a requirement of the job.
• Dresses appropriately and in compliance with the City Policy.
• Demonstrates initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description.
• Safeguards City property and recognize and report needed repairs.
• Works safely, follows safety rules and training, and maintains a clean, safe and healthful work environment.
• Maintains confidentiality with regard to all City business.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

Education and Basic Requirements

The Animal Control Officer must meet the following minimum requirements.

• High school diploma or GED and the ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with graduation from high school or its equivalent.
• Ability to handle animals safely and effectively.
• Obtain Basic Certificate for Animal Control Officer issued by the Texas Department of Health within twelve (12) months of date of hire.
• Have and maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Satisfactory results of background and employment screening checks including but not limited to physical exam, driver license check, and drug screening.

Other Requirements

The Animal Control Officer must have significant knowledge, skills and abilities in:

• Knowledge of effective methods of controlling and containing domestic animals.
• Ability to humanely euthanize animals and dispose of properly.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions (and request clarification when needed), departmental policies, rules, regulations, and law.
• Ability to write legibly.
• Working knowledge of and ability to use Personal Computers and computer software including Microsoft’s Outlook, Word, and Internet browsers, and Animal Care Facility programs.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, employees in other City departments, outside agencies and the general public with a courteous and professional demeanor.
• Be available for work before and after scheduled hours and for callback as needed.

Physical and Mental Requirements

In order to successfully achieve the goals of the Department, the Animal Control Officer must meet the following physical and mental requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Sit, stand, walk, run, move around, bend, reach, stretch, grasp, push and pull and remain upright for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as fifty (50) pounds.
• The activities and the approximate amounts of time required per day for each are shown below. The individual estimates may not sum to one-hundred (100) percent.
• Sitting - 40%
• Standing - 10%
• Walking - 20%
• Bending - 5%
• Reaching - 5%
• Stretching - 2%
• Lifting and moving objects up to fifty (50) pounds - 5%
• Pushing or pulling - 5 %
• Moving within and without the office environment - 8%
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, stress and/or deadlines.
• Ability to work outside in inclement weather, including but not limited to high and low temperatures, high humidity, dust, rain and snow.
• Ability to understand, learn, remember and communicate information about the job.
• Ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
• Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
• Good motor coordination skills, that is, must be able to coordinate his or her eyes, hands, fingers and feet rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as driving and in response to visual, auditory and other stimuli.
• Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when driving.