Animal Bite and Dispatch Coordinator (Office Services Coordinator)

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Job Description Summary:

Are you looking for a meaningful public service career where you can make a direct impact on both community safety and animal welfare? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where each day brings unique challenges, opportunities to help residents, and collaboration with public health and animal care professionals? Join St. Louis County Department of Public Health as an Animal Bite and Dispatch Coordinator.

Job Description:

In this role, you will provide critical administrative and dispatch support to the Animal Control Officer team while working closely with the Communicable Disease program to track rabies exposure investigations and reporting requirements. This position supports St. Louis County's mission of protecting public health, promoting community well-being, and delivering responsive, accountable services to residents.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem solver with excellent communication and organizational skills, a commitment to customer service, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Why You Should Consider This Opportunity

Meaningful Public Service:
Play an important role in protecting residents and animals by supporting animal bite investigations, rabies surveillance, and animal control operations.

Variety and Challenge:
No two days are the same. From coordinating investigations and communicating with pet owners to dispatching Animal Control Officers, this position offers diverse and engaging responsibilities.

Community Impact:
Help ensure compliance with public health requirements, support responsible pet ownership, and contribute to a safer community.

Collaborative Environment:
Work closely with Animal Control Officers, Communicable Disease staff, law enforcement agencies, veterinary professionals, state laboratories, and fellow County employees.

Professional Growth:
Develop valuable skills in public health administration, customer service, records management, dispatch coordination, regulatory compliance, and interagency collaboration.

Comprehensive Benefits:
St. Louis County offers a comprehensive benefits package, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, wellness programs, and more. To learn more, visit: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/personnel/benefits.

Starting Salary: $18.52 - $22.22 per hour, depending on qualifications and budgetary considerations.

Work Location: St. Louis County Department of Public Health

Hours/Schedule: Weekend work is required. Specific work schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts the administrative portion of animal bite investigations, including contacting animal owners, explaining bite quarantine procedures and restrictions, and providing guidance regarding St. Louis County animal ordinances.
• Manages animal bite quarantine cases, monitors quarantine and release dates, and coordinates pet drop-off and pick-up schedules with owners.
• Issues citations and prepares documentation for submission to St. Louis County Courts.
• Coordinates communication with County departments, State laboratories, police departments, veterinary offices, and other partner agencies.
• Collects payments and assists with monitoring fee compliance.
• Receives, documents, and maintains evidence related to animal investigations.
• Manages rabies specimens and coordinates their transport for laboratory testing.
• Responds to phone calls and emails, providing information, guidance, and customer service to residents and stakeholders.
• Maintains, organizes, and files animal bite investigation records, intake records, and related documentation.
• Receives service requests, gathers pertinent information, prioritizes calls, and dispatches Animal Control Officers in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists the Communicable Disease team with tracking rabies exposure reports and investigation outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Four (4) years of experience in a general office environment, preferably within an animal care, veterinary, animal welfare, animal control, or related setting; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in animal control, animal welfare, veterinary services, public health, dispatching, or a related field.
• Experience interacting with the public in a high-volume customer service environment.
• Experience maintaining records, processing payments, and coordinating with multiple agencies or stakeholders.
• Experience working with case management, dispatch, or records management systems.

Physical Requirements & Availability

• Ability to safely handle, walk, restrain, and transport animals of various sizes and temperaments, including aggressive or injured animals. This includes, but is not limited to, the consistent handling of dogs and cats.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work weekends as required by operational needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the public, coworkers, and external partners.
• Ability to explain regulations, procedures, and ordinances clearly and tactfully.
• Strong customer service and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with computer systems, database applications, and standard office software.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment.

Pre-Employment Process Requirements:

Applicants will be evaluated based on relevant education, experience, responses to supplemental questions, and other work-related information provided on the application. Resumes are supplementary and do not replace the required application.  

All candidates will receive notifications regarding application status once determined.  Status updates are provided via email and can be found within each candidate’s Workday profile.

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. Interview scores will determine the applicant's final grade; a minimum score of 70 is required for hiring consideration. The five highest-ranking candidates will be referred to the Department Director/Appointing Authority for final selection.  

Pre-Employment Screening:

Candidates extended a conditional offer must successfully complete all required pre‑employment screenings. These screenings include a drug test administered at no cost to the candidate by a certified laboratory and a background check evaluating the recency and relevance of the candidate’s history to the position. Candidates must complete the drug test within 48 hours of receiving a conditional offer; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the offer.

At St. Louis County, we're not just about jobs, we're about opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

St. Louis County is committed to fair and equitable employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, or political affiliation.

St. Louis County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application or hiring process should contact the St. Louis County ADA Coordinator at 314-615-1796 or call Relay MO at 711 or 1-800-735-2966 (TTY) or email [email protected].