Animal Control Officer

Job Summary
Under general supervision of the Shelter Manager, the Animal Control Officer performs tasks related to the enforcement of animal control laws and shelter operations for Bayou Animal Services. This position involves a variety of duties including the enforcement of City and State Laws governing the care and keeping of animals. Includes duties such as impounding, caring for, and disposing of animals as appropriate. Responds to public complaints concerning dead, injured, or stray animals. Responsible for logging and reporting on daily activities electronically. An applicant must be willing to investigate animal cruelty and neglect charges and perform related duties to promote compliance with laws regulating animal treatment.
Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
~ Enforce animal ordinances by receiving and responding to animal complaints, patrolling within City limits for unlicensed animals, apprehending diseased or injured wild and domestic animals, determining animal ownership, transporting animals to the animal shelter and offering suggestions to animal owners regarding compliance with laws and ordinances.
~ Provides daily care for impounded animals, including cleaning the shelter and equipment, providing food and water to animals, obtaining medical care, and bathing.
~ Promote community relations to include public presentations explaining ordinances relating to the care and keeping of animals, city and state laws and ordinances, and health and safety tips regarding rabies exposure.
~ Investigate animal bite cases; ensure animal quarantine requirements are met; provide lab specimens for rabies testing when necessary.
~ Investigate reports of animal and livestock cruelty, dangerous animals, and dog fighting, including the collection of evidence, taking sworn statements from victims, witnesses and suspects, seizing animals, enforcing laws and testifying in court.
~ Issues warnings and citations for violations of state laws and city ordinances; conducts follow-up inspections as necessary.
~ Maintains records of impounded animals.
~ Participate in law enforcement functions requiring animal control assistance.
~ Prepares reports concerning animal bites and quarantines animals for rabies observation.
~ Respond to emergency situations involving animals and livestock on an on-call basis after normal business hours.
~ Write reports and record data on appropriate log or forms.
~ Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Knowledge of:
Federal, state and local laws and ordinances relating to animals
Legal liabilities and responsibilities of those involved with the enforcement of animal related laws and control regulations
Methods and techniques of investigation including rules of evidence, laws of arrest, and court procedures
Physical and behavioral characteristics of common dogs, cats, livestock, and exotic animals
Animal care, feeding and handling
Computerized record keeping and filing methods
Common disease symptoms in domestic animals
Methods and techniques of humane euthanasia
Animal disease and prevention

Skills:
Assist with the care and maintenance of the shelter and animals including cleaning the shelter, feeding animals and assist with euthanasia.
Assist in conducting education programs including making presentations at schools, educating citizens in the neighborhoods and responding to questions on the telephone.

Ability to:
Deal with internal and external customers effectively and courteously.
Observe situations analytically and objectively and report them clearly and accurately verbally and in writing.
Education & Experience
Education & Experience - Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
Continuing education or classes in zoology, animal science, grooming and bathing, care of domestic animals, animal advocacy, preferred.

Experience:
Six months or more of animal control experience or experience in a field that requires the daily handling of animals is preferred.
Valid Class C Texas Driver's License.
Current certification from the Texas Department of Health as a Certified Animal Control Officer or ability to obtain within six months of hire date.
Current certification as a Certified Euthanasia Technician meeting the Texas Department of State Health Services requirements or ability to obtain within one year from hire date.

Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above-specified education and experience requirements. Working Environment
Work is performed in a vehicle, field environments and in office.

The employee may be subject to:
Work in small, cramped spaces to capture or restrain animals or livestock, and may be exposed to poisonous plants, loud noise, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions, varying weather conditions, and other related situations.
Animal bites, animal scratches, insect stings, or other exposures.
Routine work assignments typically involve some combination of walking, running, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, dragging, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing for extended periods of time.
Tasks may require the ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 35 pounds, and to lift animals weighing up to 100 pounds.
Job Advertisement
The City of Dickinson is a growing suburban community halfway between Houston and Galveston on Interstate 45. The City offers free insurance (health, dental and vision) to full-time employees; 10 paid holidays; paid vacation and sick leave; certification pay; and longevity pay. Retirement is offered through the Texas Municipal Retirement System with the City providing a 2:1 match (employee contribution rate of 7%, 5 year vesting). Disclaimer
Drug testing is required for all positions prior to final offer. The City of Dickinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position works scheduled nights (on-call) and weekends (shift and/or on-call). Application Special Instructions