Animal Services Officer

Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of duties involved in the collection, impoundment, care, treatment, and euthanasia of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and all other wild and domestic animals; to enforce laws, ordinances, and regulations relating to control of animals, disease control, public safety, and education; and to keep detailed records of all animal control functions.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Investigate reports or complaints of dogs, cats, or other animals creating nuisances and take appropriate action; investigate reports of animal abuse.
• Enforce City animal control and licensing laws, issue citations for violations of animal control and licensing ordinances.
• Perform euthanasia of animals.
• Explain to the public ordinances relating to the care and keeping of animals.
• Patrol City streets and roads in assigned vehicle; search for stray dogs and other domestic animals and livestock; catch and impound wild and domestic animals, birds, and reptiles.
• Quarantine and dispose of animals as appropriate.
• Attend meetings and respond to related questions and complaints; prepare news releases.
• Maintain detailed records of daily activities, impounds, animals released, sold, or destroyed, and fee collections.
• Use tranquilizer gun; train personnel in proper tranquilization techniques including proper amounts of controlled drugs.
• Present information regarding animal care, career opportunities, and provide education regarding animal control ordinances to the public and during schoolwork-based learning program activities.
• Participate in the daily maintenance of the animal shelter, supply food, water, and other care for animals.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: Two years of customer service experience dealing with conflict resolution, handling customer complaints, oral presentations, and report writing. Previous animal experience or animal related education is desirable.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Utah Driver's License
• Possession of, or ability to obtain Euthanasia, Chemical Immobilization, Pepper Spray, and Collapsible Baton, within one year of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of law enforcement.
• General principles of animal care, and disease treatment and prevention.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of animal control.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.
• Basic first-aid principles and procedures.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill with:

• Learning to operate a variety of animal control equipment and tools in a safe and effective manner.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operating a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Learn methods and techniques of licensing, controlling, and disposing of animals.
• Learn methods and procedures of animal collection and impoundment.
• Learn operational characteristics of animal control equipment and tools.
• Learn, interpret, apply, and enforce pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations related to animal control.
• Identify breed and gender of animals.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Prepare and present oral presentations related to animal control to a variety of audiences.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the public.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift and carry 100 lbs.; exposure to heat, cold, noise, outdoors, chemicals, syringes, and needles; ability to travel to different sites and locations. Department policy does not allow tattoos, body piercing, or branding to be visible while in uniform or at any time when the employee is identifiable as a member of the department.

Salary : $23 - $33