ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER-POLICE DEPT.

Job Summary
The Animal Control Officer will enforce laws concerning the care and treatment of animals, protect and rescue domesticated animals, and maintain public health standards.
 
Salary based on experience and applicable certification.

 Job Responsibilities

• Receives calls from dispatch and drives assigned vehicle to location.
• Investigates alleged animal abuse, violations of ordinances related to animal care or behavior, or reports of injured, stray, sick, or dangerous animals; interviews individuals having contact with the animal, such as the owners.
• Takes possession of animals that show signs of neglect, inhumane treatment, disease, or malnutrition.
• Transports animals to agency, shelter, or veterinarian, as appropriate, while attempts to locate owners are made and/or when the animal needs to be impounded or investigated for diseases such as rabies.
• Patrols assigned areas in animal control vehicle, seeking animals that are stray, sick, injured, or deceased; provides minor medical treatment when needed.
• Completes records and forms and prepares reports concerning daily activities, fees collected, citations given, investigations made, and controlled drugs used.
• Collects fees for services, licenses, redemption, and adoption.
• Provides information on and answers inquiries concerning licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, adoptions, spraying and neutering, and other related matters.
• Uses department-issued weapons as needed to capture and/or euthanize animals according to established protocol.
• Testifies as an expert witness in legal proceedings.
• Speaks to community groups about the proper care and feeding of pets and the value of pet population control.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Must enjoy working with animals.
• Ability to remain patient in trying situations.
• Understanding of animal control procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and explain state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances as they pertain to animal control.
• Ability to communicate with members of the public and to obtain their cooperation and compliance.
• Ability to handle animals in various forms of distress in a safe and humane manner.
• Ability to learn and recognize physical and behavioral characteristics of animals.
• Ability to learn and recognize signs of rabies and other common animal illnesses.
• Ability to euthanize animals that are dangerous, sick, or unwanted.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of on-the-job training.
• Animal care or law enforcement background strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.
• National Animal Control Association (NACA) certificate preferred.

 
Physical Requirements
Requirements

• Must be able to stoop, squat, crawl, climb, and perform other physical duties as needed to investigate locations and animals and to apprehend animals when needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all types of weather.