Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer

Assists with enforcement of Animal Control ordinances and the NLR codes relating to animals within the City limits as well as operations of the Animal Shelter by performing the following duties.

Enforces Animal Control Ordinances and the NLR Codes : Investigation: Conducts preliminary or complete investigations; locates and questions witnesses and potential witnesses; interrogates suspects in the field; takes statements or depositions; serves search warrants and searches premises or property; marks physical evidence for later identification; sends evidence to lab for analysis; takes custody of animals involved in pending abuse cases; issues misdemeanor citations for people violating the City animal control ordinances or state statutes; testifies in court as necessary. Inspection: Inspects kennel pens and premises of NLR residents prior to issuance of approval for Breeder's and/or Litter licenses; coordinates and conducts joint inspections (i.e., chicken coop and animal establishment permits) with other City departments when complainant involves overlapping areas of authority.

Keeps Records and Prepares Documents : Maintains accurate written documentation describing all enforcement investigative activities pertaining to bite reports, incident reports and daily activity reports; creates documentation to track the disposition of each animal impounded to Animal Control; completes forms for adoption, reclaim or surrender of animals; keeps records of citations and charges against violators; prepares charges for court docket and case files for prosecutors; keeps precise records of drugs that are open to inspection from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Public Relations : Gives presentations at area schools about City ordinances, the care and responsibilities of owning animals; provides information to general public about animal care and laws and regulations governing the ownership and care of animals; assists with advertising adoptive animals through the mediums of radio, TV, and local newspapers; participates in national Adopt-A-Thon drives.

Animal Control : Apprehends and impounds animals running at large; investigates reports of bites from domesticated animals and wildlife; follows State regulations in impounding animals that have bitten humans and ensures animals are properly quarantined to observe for signs of the rabies virus; determines status of aggressive dogs and issues appropriate court citations for vicious dog citations; apprehends wildlife; picks up and disposes of the bodies of dead animals; chemically immobilizes dangerous or potentially dangerous animals.

Shelter Operations : Assists in the care and feeding of animals confined at the shelter, including bathing and medicating; chemically disinfects cages indoors and outdoors; washes, disinfects, and dries water and feeding dishes, towels, bedding, etc.; chemically immobilizes and euthanizes animals; shovels ashes from the incinerator; feeds and relocates animals in the shelter as needed; supervises volunteers and community services workers.

Maintains Equipment : Cleans and inspects assigned City vehicle on regular basis; reports any malfunction and provides routine maintenance; keeps uniform and accessories in good condition. Keeps track of all assigned equipment and reports losses immediately; services and fires issued tranquilizer weapons as necessary to maintain good condition.

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, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Valid Arkansas Class D driver's license and safe driving record.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be 21 years old before the date of hire.
• One year directly related experience working with animals.
• Must be able to become certified in chemical immobilization, become a certified Euthanasia Technician, and pass certification requirement to carry a bite stick (A.S.P. baton).
• Must be able to successfully complete NACA (National Animal Control Assoc.) Level I and II and become nationally certified.
• Must be able to respond to any location within the City of North Little Rock within one hour when on-call.

The benefits below are for authorized full-time, non-uniformed employees. (Uniformed employees are sworn Police and Fire Department personnel.) Holidays - Twelve (12) paid holidays per year. Insurance - 100% premium payment for employee health insurance, 75% paid health insurance coverage for dependents; paid life insurance. Worker's Compensation - Coverage is provided for each employee for medical bills and work time lost due to on-the-job injuries. Longevity Pay - After completing a full year of employment with the City of North Little Rock, an employee is granted longevity pay at the rate of $5.25 per month times the number of years employed. Vacation - Accrual begins with date of hire with eligibility to use accrued vacation leave after six months of service. Vacation may be accumulated to a maximum of 30 days. Vacation is calculated:

Years of Service Annual Vacation Days 1-3 10 3-10 15 10-20 18 Over 20 22

Sick Leave - All full-time, regular, non-uniformed employees earn twenty (20) sick leave days annually with unlimited accumulation. Discretionary Leave - Employees with two or more years of continuous service on January 1 of each year are granted 16-48 hours discretionary leave during that year, depending on length of service. Retirement Plan - Mandatory and contributory, begins immediately.