Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer

The Animal Services Officer position is part of a job family progression, offering a clear path for growth. After one year in the role, employees who meet established performance and competency requirements may become eligible for promotion to Senior Animal Services Officer. Progression is not automatic and depends on meeting all internal criteria. The purpose of this position is to enforce animal control ordinances and applicable State of Texas laws and regulations. Responds to calls for service involving domesticated animals, wildlife, and public health concerns. Performs animal handling, investigations, shelter operations, humane euthanasia, and animal care duties while promoting public safety, animal welfare, and exceptional customer service. Prepares accurate reports and maintains records in accordance with departmental policies and legal requirements.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Positions at this level perform the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey and/or Senior level. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning assigned job tasks within the scope of established policies, procedures, and pertinent regulations. May receive technical and/or functional supervision from higher levels.

Essential Functions:

• Operates an Animal Services vehicle to patrol assigned areas, respond to calls for service, conduct investigations, transport animals, and complete work-related errands.
• Communicates with dispatch and staff using a two-way radio and other communication devices.
• Enforces City animal control ordinances and applicable State laws by issuing warnings, citations, and notices of violation. Appears in court and provides testimony when required, as well as maintaining credibility as a professional witness.
• Investigates complaints involving stray animals, animal bites, rabies exposures, dangerous dogs, animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, nuisance animals, wildlife, livestock, and other public safety concerns.
• Safely captures, handles, transports, and impounds domestic animals, wildlife, livestock, injured animals, deceased animals, and other animals under a variety of environmental and emergency conditions.
• Performs humane euthanasia in accordance with State regulations and department policies.
• Properly handles and disposes of deceased animals.
• Conducts public health activities including rabies control, quarantine enforcement, zoonotic disease surveillance, arbovirus surveillance, and other disease prevention measures.
• Performs intake processing of animals, including vaccinations, microchip implantation, blood collection, medication administration, medical observations, and other veterinary support procedures as directed by a veterinarian or supervisor.
• Provides daily shelter animal care, including feeding, watering, medication administration, health and behavior monitoring, enrichment, cleaning and disinfecting kennels, and reporting medical or behavioral concerns.
• Maintains shelter buildings, grounds, equipment, vehicles, and work areas in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.
• Completes accurate reports, citations, case files, animal records, bite reports, medical records, and other documentation using department software and record management systems.
• Maintains assigned caseloads, provides thorough and timely case documentation, ensures all required notes are completed accurately, and monitors cases to keep documentation current and deadlines on schedule.
• Inspects and reinspects properties to ensure they are up to code.
• Monitors, investigates, and resolves citizen requests received through the City's customer response system and documents actions taken in a timely and accurate manner.
• Educates the public regarding responsible pet ownership, City ordinances, State laws, animal behavior, wildlife concerns, rabies prevention, and available Animal Services programs.
• Assists with adoptions, owner reunifications, rescue coordination, volunteer activities, foster programs, and community outreach events as assigned.
• Investigates animal bite incidents, rabies exposures, and quarantine cases; prepares animals for rabies testing when required in accordance with State regulations.
• Safely operates and maintains department vehicles, animal handling equipment, capture tools, and other specialized equipment.
• Assists during emergencies, disasters, and large-scale animal incidents, including evacuations, seizures, cruelty investigations, and emergency sheltering operations.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement, fire personnel, veterinarians, rescue organizations, public health officials, and other City departments to resolve animal-related issues.
• Maintains required certifications and completes ongoing training to remain current on animal care practices, investigative techniques, public health requirements, and applicable laws.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Experience: Six (6) months of successful animal care, veterinary clinic, kennel, boarding facility, pet store, animal control or code enforcement experience preferred. Any combination of related, education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements. Licenses and Certifications: Must possess or acquire the Texas Department of State Health Services Animal Control Officer Basic Course within six (6) months of hire. Must possess or acquire the Texas Department of State Health Services Certified Euthanasia Technician certification within four (4) months of hire. Conditions of Employment: Must submit and pass a pre-employment drug, pre-placement medical examination and the job placement assessment (JPA). Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License Class "C" and good driving record as defined by City policy. Other Requirements: This position is subject to emergency call-back during off-duty hours and is required to have a take home vehicle when in call-back status. The employee must be able to arrive at the service/assistance location to which they are dispatched within 40 minutes after being notified of the call-back. This position is subject to emergency operations. The individual holding this position will be required to work as usual or as needed: during emergency operations, in preparation for prolonged emergency operations and/or during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by his/her direct supervisor, Department Head or designee, or the City Manager or designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of: Applicable State animal control regulations to include chemical compounds; City ordinances; City streets; animal behaviors, handling methods, and communication; health regulations; animal control methods and techniques, equipment operations, record preparation; shelter guidelines; microchipping; and vaccinations; safely handling and restraining domestic animals, wildlife, and livestock using appropriate equipment and techniques (deceased or alive). Skilled in: Reading maps and GPS; composing detailed reports; reading, understanding, explaining, and accurately applying animal control related regulations, policies, and procedures, including in difficult or emotionally charged situations; maintaining poise, and professional bearing in stressful, emotional, or possibly hazardous situations; operating a personal computer and using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, shelter management software, records management systems, internet applications, and other job-related software; identifying signs of common zoonotic diseases and injuries; identifying most common dog and cat breeds; accepting responsibility for his/her actions; performing work accurately and thoroughly; following instructions, safety practices, and standard operating procedures in performing assigned tasks; being punctual and attending work regularly; and working effectively with people regardless of their race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran's status, genetics, or job type. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Must be medically fit to work with animals and have the strength and agility to lift and carry items or animals up to 80 pounds. While performing this job, employees routinely stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The position may occasionally require lifting or carrying supplies, animals, or equipment. Employees must regularly lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 75 to 100 pounds with or without assistance. Typical daily lifting requirements for certain tasks range from 50 to 75 pounds. Must be willing to obtain a pre-exposure rabies vaccination, and, when medically required, revaccination shots. It also requires regular work with a personal computer, walking, standing, bending, stooping and reaching. Must possess the ability to regularly operate a motor vehicle and on occasion connect a horse or cattle trailer; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; identify animals at a distance, including ability to describe color of various animals and discriminate between various animal sounds; and pursue animals on foot. Incumbents must intermittently travel around the City in assigned vehicle, responding to calls involving situations related to control and protection of animals; may be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects, and other vehicles while in the field; may work unusual and prolonged work schedule during emergencies, seasonally caused circumstances, special assignments in various extreme cold and hot climates or temperature conditions. May work on uneven or slippery surfaces and work outside in extreme temperature and weather conditions under difficult or hazardous situations and work irregular shifts, including Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; may work overtime as needed and with minimal notice and on-call. Must meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties without risk of injury to self or others, lift large animals, climb ladder