Animal Control/Code Enforcement Officer

Under direct supervision, this position enforces Village ordinances and various municipal codes pertaining to the control of domestic and wild animals and will enforce a variety of municipal codes pertaining to planning and zoning, life safety, and quality of life within the Village of Ruidoso to protect the public's health, safety and welfare. This position will work irregular hours including nights, weekends and holidays. The Animal Control/Code Enforcement Officer reports directly to the Administrative Lieutenant.Essential Job Functions 

• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.
• Handles citizen complaints regarding violations of Village ordinances and municipal codes in a way that maintains effective public relations.
• Patrols areas of alleged violations and interviews available witnesses to determine if ordinances and/or municipal codes are being violated and takes appropriate action. 
• Patrols Village and identifies Village ordinance and municipal code violations including dogs at large, feral cats, barking dogs, un-neutered pets, and vicious dogs.
• Discusses violations and abatement measures with involved parties.
• Exercises discretion in accordance with stated policies and procedures to determine appropriate enforcement actions, from verbal warnings to issuing citations and filing criminal complaints.
• Impounds stray and owner-released animals and provides efficient, caring, humane treatment to animals.
• Completes required reports and maintains records.
• Notifies state game and fish department (or makes other appropriate notification) of wild animal problems within the village limits, such as elk, bear, raccoon, and snakes.
• Assist with animal bite incidents.
• Cleans and maintains assigned vehicle.
• Explains Village ordinances, municipal codes, policies and procedures to the public.  Educates the public on new ordinances and changes in existing ordinances.
• Distributes pamphlets on training dogs not to be nuisance barkers.
• Provides information to the public on a variety of animal related matters, including treatment of animal bites, and symptoms of animal diseases.
• Is the liaison with the Humane Society, local veterinarians, and the New Mexico Game and Fish department.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

• May appear and testify in court in animal related cases or planning and zoning cases.
• Will enforce Village ordinances and a variety of municipal codes pertaining to planning and zoning and perform the duties and responsibilities of the Code Enforcement Officer in their absence including but not limited to:
  • Responding to complaints of and patrolling the Village regarding ordinance and municipal code violations, including zoning, building, weeds, signs, nuisances, illegal dumping, improper licensing, encroachment, and other violation.
  • Responding to calls from other Village department for enforcement of codes such as watering during drought conditions.
• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity of cultural and community issues.
• Ensures computer is backed up once a month and adheres to Village of Ruidoso IT Policies
• Adheres to all Village of Ruidoso's policies not limited to IT, Purchasing, and Personnel Manual
• Ensures that any on-the job injury is reported immediately and followed up with appropriate forms and actions.
• Reports any suspected fraud and/or abuse to the Human Resources Manager or Village Manager
• Ensures any reports of harassment are immediately reported and appropriate actions are taken.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as needed
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job.  As a condition of employment, employees are required to perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is routinely required to walk, stand, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and smell.
• Frequently push, pull, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally push, pull, lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Work Environment

• Inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
• Driving for long periods of time.
• Noise level could be moderate to loud in work environment.

Travel Requirements
Normal travel – ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area.  Must be able to travel by air as needed to attend training, conferences, and related activities. Overnight travel as required.Qualifications
High School Education or equivalent required. Code Enforcement or Animal Control experience preferred.
 
Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with agency "Drug Free" Policy and must be able to pass regular criminal history checks.
 
License and/or Certifications
Must possess and maintain valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator's permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required.  Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law.  The Village will conduct MVR background checks. 

• Knowledge of:  personal computer operations within a Windows Microsoft environment, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Skill in: handling equipment used to capture and impound animals
• Ability to: learn the Village ordinances and municipal codes pertaining to, planning and zoning, life safety, the Uniform Building Code relating to setbacks and easements, and animal control, learn the Police Department and Planning and Zoning's policies and procedures, balance a variety of duties, understand and carry out instruction and procedures with limited supervision, work independently and cooperatively, make fair and concise decisions, work in stressful environment and deal effectively with stress, perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management.

Salary : $41,933 - $48,214