Lead Animal Control Officer

Position Description

• Restricted to current City of Minneapolis employees

The Animal Control Officer, Lead is responsible for administering directives and guide the actions of subordinates in enforcing State, Local Laws, and Ordinances for the City of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Department, by leading personnel and daily operations to ensure the fulfillment of Animal Care & Control services for the City of Minneapolis, safeguarding life, health, property and livability for residents and stakeholders. The position provides training, guidance, resources and assists officers ensuring that the day-to-day operations operate effectively and efficiently and ensuring that all laws are appropriately applied in a safe, equitable and uniformed manner. Coordinate, plan, lead, and ensure efficient, cost effective and customer focused animal control in the assigned area.

Work Location

This position currently works on-site.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

SCHEDULE :

On-call time may be required weekdays, weekends and holidays to take phone calls and physically respond to duty when needed.

Employees must maintain open availability; rotating and variable shifts are required to meet 24 / 7 operational needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

This position requires handling and restraining of vicious or potentially dangerous and / or deadly animals including dogs, cats, venomous snakes, non-human primates, large hoof stock, some species of wildlife, etc.

This position is exposed to physical threats include unpredictable, hostile, armed individuals. High-risk search warrants may be conducted with law enforcement.

You may be exposed to zoonotic diseases and parasitic zoonoses such as rabies, tularemia, salmonellosis (and other illness causing bacteria), West Nile virus, brucellosis, Lyme disease, histoplasmosis (and other similar fungal diseases), hantavirus and others.

The position is also subject to long periods of exposure to inclement weather, driving, garbed in PPE including wearing an N95 mask, lifting and / or carrying heavy loads, crawling, climbing, running, bending, etc.

Attaching your cover letter and resume is required. You must submit both documents to be considered for this position.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Education

Associate degree in Law Enforcement or Veterinary Technology or equivalent

Minimum Experience

Four (4) years of animal control experience, performing field operations and enforcement.

Licenses / Certifications :

Valid driver's license - Possess and maintain a valid driver's license for the duration of employment in this position.

Position-specific Certifications :

Ability to obtain and maintain the following certifications in order to perform essential functions of employment. On-the-job training and certification will be provided.

Field Training Officer (FTO) Certification

Preferred Qualifications :

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps : a rating of relevant education and experience and / or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check (Police)

The City has determined that a thorough Minneapolis Police Department criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.

Medical Exam

After a conditional job offer, candidates will be required to pass a medical examination which includes a physical screening.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council (AFSCME).

Eligible List Statement

The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire one months after it has been established.

Interview Selection

The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of animal control work and code enforcement.

Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of criminal investigations, evidence collection and preservation and case management.

Considerable knowledge of City and Civil Service rules and regulations.

Considerable knowledge of computer operations and software used by Minneapolis Animal Care & Control.

Considerable knowledge of and the ability to facilitate the group problem-solving process, recognizing positive results, mitigate conflict and achieve satisfactory outcomes.

Good knowledge of the National Incident Management System.

Good interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with an ability to effectively listen, speak, write and interact in a tactful and persuasive manner.

Good customer service skills and an understanding of the departments associated standards.

Ability to develop, plan and implement solutions for non-routine casework.

Good knowledge of and respect to work effectively with people of diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Good interview and documentation skills.

Ability to provide leadership, influence and direction to subordinates while promoting a favorable work environment.

Ability to manage conflict and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.

Ability to write clear, concise reports and testify in court.

Ability to interpret statistical data and make recommendations to management for operational goals and objectives.

Working knowledge of animal diseases and public health principles.

Working knowledge of animal behavior and handling skills.

Ability to transfer knowledge, skills and abilities to recruit officers and subordinates.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.