Animal Control Officer

The City of Decatur is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Animal Control Officer to join our team. This position is responsible for enforcing City animal control ordinances and applicable state laws while helping protect the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the community.

Animal Control Officers perform a variety of field and shelter-based duties, including responding to animal-related complaints and emergencies, investigating animal bites and cruelty concerns, safely capturing and transporting animals, caring for animals housed at the shelter, educating the public, and preparing cases for enforcement and prosecution.

This position is ideal for someone who is comfortable working with animals and people, can remain calm in challenging or potentially dangerous situations, and understands the importance of treating both animals and members of the public with professionalism and respect.

• Respond to citizen complaints, animal-related calls, and emergency situations, including after-hours emergencies as assigned.
• Enforce City animal control ordinances and applicable state laws and regulations.
• Capture, restrain, remove, and safely transport stray, dangerous, injured, abused, or otherwise uncontrolled animals.
• Investigate reports involving animal bites, attacks, cruelty, neglect, abandonment, and other animal-related violations.
• Interview complainants, witnesses, animal owners, and other involved parties; gather information and evidence; and prepare detailed written reports.
• Issue warnings and citations for violations when authorized and appropriate, and coordinate with law enforcement when additional enforcement action is necessary.
• Prepare documentation and evidence for cases referred for prosecution and testify in court when required.
• Locate and notify animal owners when their animals are impounded and assist owners with information regarding applicable procedures.
• Examine animals for visible signs of injury, illness, neglect, malnutrition, or other concerning conditions and arrange for veterinary care when necessary.
• Provide appropriate food, water, cleaning, handling, and general care for animals housed at the shelter.
• Assist with animal euthanasia procedures as required and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and certification requirements.
• Clean and disinfect animal kennels, equipment, vehicles, and other work areas.
• Assist with the removal of wildlife from homes and other locations when appropriate.
• Educate pet owners and members of the public regarding responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and applicable animal control laws and regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of animal impoundments, dispositions, enforcement activities, and related cases.
• Operate animal control vehicles, equipment, and related tools safely and appropriately.
• Work cooperatively with veterinarians, animal rescue organizations, shelter volunteers, law enforcement, City employees, and members of the public.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position; animal control, animal shelter, veterinary, kennel, law enforcement, or related experience is preferred.
• The position may require work outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and after-hours emergency response, depending on departmental needs and the assigned schedule.
• Proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Office and job-related software..
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alabama for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. 
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain Certified Euthanasia Technician certification.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, handling, restraint, care, and safe transportation.
• Knowledge of animal welfare principles and responsible pet ownership.
• Knowledge of applicable animal control ordinances, state laws, and departmental policies and procedures, or the ability to learn them.
• Ability to recognize signs of injury, illness, neglect, abuse, and potentially dangerous animal behavior.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain animals using appropriate equipment and techniques.
• Ability to investigate complaints, gather information, document findings, and prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make appropriate decisions in field situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with members of the public, coworkers, animal owners, veterinarians, law enforcement personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with upset, emotional, or confrontational individuals.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to learn and properly use animal control equipment, vehicles, computer systems, and other job-related technology.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and files.
• Ability to testify in court and clearly communicate factual information regarding investigations and enforcement activities.

• City ordinances, state laws related to animal control issues, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific, but may require some interpretation in application.

• The work consists of related animal control duties.  Interacting with potentially dangerous animals contributes to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to enforce animal control ordinances and provide care for animals in the kennel. Successful performance contributes to the enforcement of ordinances and to the effective housing and adoption of animals.

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, pet owners, veterinarians, representatives of animal rescue groups, vendors, volunteers, and the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, and provide services.

• This is an active position involving both field work and animal shelter operations. Work may be performed outdoors and in varying weather conditions and may involve exposure to noise, dust, dirt, unpleasant odors, cleaning chemicals, infectious or contagious diseases, and potentially dangerous animals.

• The position may involve contact with animals that are frightened, injured, sick, aggressive, or otherwise unpredictable. Appropriate personal protective equipment and safety procedures must be used.

• The work requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, and handling animals and equipment. The employee may be required to lift, carry, or move animals, equipment, cages, supplies, and other objects of varying weights.

• None.