Animal Control Officer (Per Diem)

CURRENTLY HIRING a PART TIME ACO ON A PER DIEM BASIS. This person will not be guaranteed hours but will act more on an on-call, as-needed basis to help with covering absences within the department.

Candidate should live within a 20-minute driving radius of 749 East Main Street

Do you love ALL animals?! If yes and are interested in joining one of the leading and newly renovated animal shelters in Connecticut, the Town of Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter is interested in hearing from you! As a part time Animal Control Officer you will be working in a team oriented environment with animals in need and the public.

Your dedication to all animals, excellent communication skills, ability to respond as an enforcement agency, sound decision-making skills, ability to work flexible schedules including evenings, nights and weekends as needed are a few of the competencies needed for this position. Branford's Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter mission is to protect the public, provide excellent animal care, find good homes for our animal guests, to promote responsible pet guardianship, to work to end the overpopulation of feral cats in our community, and to run a well-organized, efficient shelter with rehabilitation through education philosophy.

Position Summary/Purpose:

The purposes of this position are to provide for the protection of people, animals and property from disturbances or physical harm resulting from animal or owner neglect, their failure to adhere to the requirements of the animal control ordinance and State laws governing domestic animals, other causes, inadvertent actions of wildlife animals. This is accomplished through the enforcement of laws, including investigations, legal actions, impoundments and animal disposal. Provide the management and maintenance of the animal shelter and provides twenty-four-hour coverage. The Animal Control Officer is responsible for maintaining and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Respond to complaints. Investigate and enforce all animal control provisions and State and Town laws for Branford and North Branford. Issue summons, apply for warrants and make arrests, as needed. Testify in court, as required.
• Impound and care for roaming, injured, or mistreated dogs, cats and other domestic animals. If known, notify owners and arrange for pickup of animal and payment of fees. If the animal is not picked up by the owner, dispose of in a proper manner.
• Manage the care of animals in shelter including the administration of medicine prescribed by Veterinarian and work with public on adoptions
• Maintain kennel by performing simple repairs and cleaning daily, trains volunteers on maintenance of animals and cleaning of kennel, and reporting need for major work, such as wall repairs or mechanical systems, etc.
• Promote adoption of animals; enter adoption notices into computer for advertisement.
• Capture unattended and dangerous animals with specific tools; investigate animal bites. Investigate all wildlife complaints, including rabies, deer, coyotes, raccoons, etc. Pick up and dispose of dead domestic and wild animals on town roads and properties. In the case of rabid animals, exercise appropriate precautions and take corrective actions, in concert with the contracted veterinarian and the central State facility.
• Rescue or aid in the rescue of trapped, sick or injured animals including those animals neglected in an unhealthy home or cruelty cases. Work with police on these issues.
• Develops department policies and procedures under direction of Director of Animal Control, supervises, trains, assigns work, counsels and evaluates employee; personnel functions are conducted with the approval and direction of the Human Resource Director and Director of Animal Control: Assures safe working conditions for employees
• Prepare and administer operating budget for division under direction of Director of Animal Control; present budget to appropriate Boards, First Selectman and RTM. . Authorizes all invoices for departmental expenditures. Is responsible for oversight of expenditures and operating the Department within the approved budget limits. Develops databases and spreadsheets to track transactions.
• Attend monthly Shelter Commission Meetings
• Comply with OSHA regulations.
• Maintain all necessary records and information regarding complaints, incidents, occurrence dates and times, names and contact information regarding the involved parties, the disposition, resolution and the reporting of matters handled by the animal control officers; prepare statistical reports about division work and animal shelter use; present reports to Shelter Commission and Animal Control Director.
• Educate the public about the care of animals and habits/risks of wildlife. Provide coverage for 24 hour emergency services.

Other Functions:

• Answering phones

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Performs technical, administrative and varied and responsible duties requiring a strong knowledge of department standard operating procedures, the habits and diseases of domestic and wildlife animals and State laws. Exercises substantial judgment and initiative to accomplish competent service delivery; works independently and in combination with Shelter Commission, Town representatives and veterinarians.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Director of Animal Control and Supervisor following professional standards, procedures and policies.

Supervision Given: Works collectively with Kennel Assistant and Volunteers developing job direction, assigning tasks, providing instructions as needed, and monitoring performance.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience:

The qualifications required would generally be acquired with a High School Diploma or GED and training at the State Department of Agriculture animal control officers 80 hours of training program within the first year after being hired. Certification and experience with domestic and wildlife animals, animal shelter and animal owners; or any equivalent combination of education, work experience and training

: Training at the State Department of Agriculture animal control officers 80 hours of training program .

Knowledge, Ability and Skills:

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the safe practices for care and capture of animals; knowledge of animal first aid; knowledge of wildlife; knowledge of animal diseases and related public health risks and quarantine procedures; working knowledge of laws, ordinances and regulations related to animal control; basic knowledge of court procedures; good knowledge of the use of office automation applications and equipment for animal control.

Ability: Ability to manage animal control kennel and clean kennel safely; ability to deal with dangerous animals and lift and care for animals; ability to follow written and oral instructions; ability to work as a team with others to keep them informed of actions taken; ability to acquire and maintain knowledge of regulations, state statues and legal requirements, of assigned department activities; ability to make decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established policies; ability to utilize data & word processing applications as they related to the functions of the offices supported; ability to deal effectively with the public, animals, state agencies, persons needing assistance and staff.; ability to prepare reports as assigned; ability to prioritize work assignments to meet established deadlines and ability to multitask; ability to assign, train and supervise staff; ability to manage budget; ability to acquire knowledge of towns geography.

Skill: Good verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with people and animals and maintaining effective working relationships with various groups and resolving issues; aptitude for working with paperwork and details; skill in using the mentioned office equipment; skills in with dealing with public and providing customer service; skill in utilizing personal computers, word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications; sensitivity to public communications.

Machines, Tools and Equipment Used:

Microsoft PC literacy

Job Environment

Animal control work is performed at the animal kennel, with the animal van, at citizen’s homes, outdoors and in traffic; usually noise levels are loud. Administrative work is performed in a moderately noisy animal kennel. Position entails driving and may be subject to exposure to hazardous substances or materials; working near traffic and with vicious animals. Work is performed inside and out-of-doors in developed and wooded areas, in all weather conditions and poses health risks.

Requires the operation of vehicle and office computers, printer, calculator, telephone, copier, facsimile machine, and all other standard office equipment, cleaning equipment for animal shelter and use of washer/dryer; animal traps, snare pole, bite stick and muzzles.

Makes frequent a contact with the general public to handle resident’s questions and problems and with those who visit the shelter. Makes frequent or periodic contact with state agencies, animal protection/rescue groups, other animal shelters, veterinarians, vendors, and municipal departments. Communication is frequently in person, by telephone, mail, and in writing and e-mail or via radio or dispatch.

Errors could result in injury to self, other people or animals; liability, delay in services; monetary loss and/or damages to equipment.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $17.60 per hour

Expected hours: 1 – 19 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Holidays
• On call

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Branford, CT 06405 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18