Animal Control Officer

SUMMARY: The Animal Control Officer ensures public safety through the enforcement of local and state animal control laws. The Animal Control Officer responds to calls for service including animal bites, cruelty and neglect investigations, stray animals, sick/injured animals, and nuisance complaints. The Animal Control Officer interacts with the public on a daily basis, and acts as a mediator in certain situations.

JOB RELATIONSHIP: Under the direct supervision and direction of the Animal Control Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Responds to calls for service from citizens, law enforcement, emergency agencies (fire, ambulance, etc.), and other authorities requesting assistance from animal control

Apprehends and impounds stray, unleashed, vicious, or dead animals, in addition to those suspected of having rabies. Rescues and impounds sick, injured, and abused animals. Removes wild/exotic animals from homes and businesses.

Enforces animal control and rabies control ordinances. Issues notices to appear at court, and issues citations in the enforcement of state, county, and municipal ordinances.

Investigates cruelty or neglect to animal complaints. Inspects properties for appropriate sanitation, housing, and care for animals. Participates in mass impoundments due to animal hoarding in private homes, abandonment, or other violations.

Investigates all reports regarding animal bites to people and other animals. Determines proper rabies inoculation history, confinement and observation. Takes information from citizens, emergency and medical personnel about animal bites. Completes animal bite reports as well as inform victims and pet owners of rabies confinement procedures. Notifies pet owners of possible legal repercussions.

Enters and retrieves information on pets, pet owners, citations, bite reports, and other situations.

Conducts systematic inspections for violations of animal control ordinance.

Performs on call standby after work hours for emergency situations.

Notifies Animal Shelter Director of investigations for dangerous/vicious dogs. Serves impoundment notices and dangerous dog notifications.

Provides information to the public on the animal control ordinance and general requirements for caring for animals.

Prepares dead animals for animal disease laboratory for rabies examination and necropsy.

Appears and testifies in court as needed.

Utilizes a tranquilizer gun for chemical capture as necessary.

Completes and submits written reports to describe activities and actions. Maintains care of the animal control vehicle, and equipment.

Euthanize animals in emergency situations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONISIBILITIES: No Supervisory Duties

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to work in a stressful environment, diffuse stressful situations, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Must have proficiency in use of database technology and use of networked computer systems.

Must be knowledgeable in the proper use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Must have ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.

Must have excellent organization and record keeping skills.

Must have basic problem-solving skills and be able to handle multiple tasks with interruptions.

Must be familiar with office equipment: copier, multi-line phones, fax machine, two-way radio, cameras, computer, etc.

Must be able to elicit information from irate, upset, and anxious callers. Ability to work with little supervision and maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge of animal control, and animal law enforcement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Expected to successfully complete various training courses including Euthanasia by
Injection.

Must be able to detect symptoms of rabies, animals in distress/danger, and other illnesses.
Must have a valid driver's license.

Must train to use animal control equipment. Ability to respond calmly during emergencies

EDUCATION and /or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in office/clerical duties.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: May be required to cross train for other positions at Animal Control that require a certificate.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to carry out detailed written or oral instructions and to deal with different situations requiring the use of deduction to solve the problem.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos and to use good English. Ability to write simple correspondence and to effectively present information to co-workers and the general public. Requires considerable skill in the application of office methods and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; and talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop; kneel; or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Usually, normal office working conditions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate to loud.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Tazewell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

EOE - race/color/religion/sex/Sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability

Current Openings for Animal Control Officer Jobs at Tazewell County