Animal Control Officer I

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB 

Under limited supervision, this position performs work in the enforcement of ordinances and statutes related to the control of animals. Reports to Animal Control Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

Patrols assigned zones throughout the city apprehending stray animals of all types; provides assistance to law enforcement with the detainment or removal of animals from persons who are being detained or arrested; removes animals from emergency vehicular accidents; assists the public with the removal of dangerous wild animals such as snakes and fowl to enforce animal control ordinances; issues and secures summonses, warrants and petitions for violation of animal ordinances; and prepares court documentation and testifies in court as required.

Impounds animals and secures the appropriate animal shelter for placement according to size, needs, and circumstances; investigates cases of animal abuse and neglect; prepares reports on all stray and surrendered animals; provides protection and assistance to injured animals and completes reports on vicious and injury inflicted animals; quarantines animals; assists citizens with nuisance wildlife; and refers complaints to other agencies or organizations as needed.

Assists the public in searches for lost pets; provides information and counseling to animal owners regarding provisions of the law; receives and responds to inquiries, or refers inquiries to appropriate personnel; and prepares and conducts public awareness programs pertaining to pet and animal care, rabies vaccinations, etc.

Performs other related work as required.   Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge of Job: Has some knowledge of laws and ordinances related to humane animal collection, care and disposal methods. Has some knowledge of the geography of the city. Has some knowledge of safety practices concerning the handling of animals. Is skilled in the use of equipment for capturing animals. Is able to prepare and maintain records concerning daily activities. Is able to exercise tact and courtesy in explaining and enforcing State laws and local ordinances pertaining to animal control. Is able to exercise initiative and independent judgement in applying laws and ordinances to work situations. Is able to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Has sufficient physical strength and agility to perform assigned tasks. Is able to exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with animal owners and the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions.”

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisor for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Requires graduation from high school, and 1-2 years of experience in animal control work; or any equivalent combination or education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Selected applicants must be available to work all assigned shifts.  This will include day shift or night shift.

Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state, and federal criminal history check, and a sex offender registry check.

Requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical exam, and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIREDTO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated machines which include a two- way radio, typewriter, hand tools, animal traps, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle and operate a variety of weapons. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are those rated for Light Work. Light Work involves walking, standing, and running and may involve physical confrontations.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of records and forms. Requires the ability to prepare reports, forms and correspondence using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Requires the ability to assess critical situations and establish methods to resolve such situations.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including veterinarian and legal terminology, and emergency response codes.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using weapons. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of office equipment, control knobs, switches, weapons, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via two-way radio.

Salary : $42,699 - $61,487