Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer

Under general direction of the Animal Services Supervisor or his/her designee, the Animal Services Officer will uphold the ordinances and laws regarding animal violations. Patrols within the City limits or assigned area; responds to complaints, impounds animals, provides assistance to the general public, verifies animal vaccinations, sets traps to capture wild or domestic animals, administers euthanasia drugs; May be responsible for the caring of animals at the shelter and maintaining the animal shelter.

Primarily enforces animal ordinances by receiving and responding to animal complaints, patrolling within City limits for animals roaming at-large, apprehending diseased or injured animals, determining animal ownership, and offering suggestions to animal owners regarding complying with laws and ordinances.

Enforces State and Federal animal regulations, rabies control and licensing requirements and issues citations or files complaints on violations.

Removes wild animals from residences on request by building and maintaining traps, delivering and demonstrating the proper use of traps, setting traps, picking up trapped animals and relocating the animal or administering euthanasia drugs.

Performs euthanasia on trapped (high risk) wildlife and any critically injured animals in the field; assists the veterinarian in determining the euthanasia process of animals.

Prepares and forwards specimen to State laboratory for examination.

Works collaboratively with the Humane Society and other agencies investigating instances of animal cruelty and animal attacks and maintaining records on violations.

Provides humane treatment to animals while in the Animal Services Officer's custody.

Coordinates with local veterinarian for animal impoundment, quarantine and arranging rabies clinics as needed.

Provides assistance to the general public by assisting customers with adoptions and redemptions, sterilization programs, licensing programs, and trap issuance; helping customers complete paperwork; recording animal information in the computer system; and maintaining and replenishing supplies

Enters data necessary for tracking complaints, animals, etc. into computer database. Bills veterinarian clinics as needed.

Ensures that licensing requirements for pet shop and animal breeders are met.

Operates City animal services truck in the performance of duties, and utilizes specialized equipment in the snare of animals, i.e., catch poles, animal traps, nets and other standard animal services equipment.

Testifies and presents evidence in court proceedings.

Other important duties may include being on-call during non-working hours; with the ability to respond to emergency calls within one (1) hour. May be subject to working evenings, weekends and holidays. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Ability to comprehend and apply established animal services ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures.

Knowledge of city animal ordinances and State regulations governing animal and disease control.

Working knowledge of common animal diseases and behaviors.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with work associates and the public.

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and the general public; ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Ability to work effectively when surrounded by loud noise.

Ability to maintain accurate detailed records.

Ability to read labels on medicine containers.

Ability to operate a variety of equipment including but not limited to traps and euthanasia equipment such as needles, drugs and tourniquets.

Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.

Ability to follow instructions, safe practices and standard operating procedures in performing assigned.

Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including but not limited to carrying, seeing, sorting and writing.

Proficiency in the use of computers.

High School Diploma or equivalent and one (1) year experience in the care and handling of animals or other animal related experience.

Must possess Texas Department of Health Certification as an Animal Control Officer within one (1) year of employment.

Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, polygraph, psychological examination, physical agility test.

Must pass a criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check and Social Security number verification check.

Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License.

Exposure to hazards (vicious, wild, rabid animals, dust mites, etc.).

Some tasks may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g. dirt, cold, rain, fumes, strong odors, smoke, toxic chemicals, pollen, dust, etc.).

Some tasks may require exposure to elements that can cause illness (e.g., pathogenic substances, virus, and parasites).

Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.

Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.

Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.

Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.

Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.

Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.

Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.

Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.

Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.

Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.

Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.

Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.

Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.

Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.

Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.

Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.

Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.

Standing – for sustained periods of time.

Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.

Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.

Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.

Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.

Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.

Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.

Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.

Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work performed is primarily heavy work, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Equipment utilized includes personal computer, copier, calculator, fax machine, and other standard office equipment; 2-way radio, pager; Animal Services vehicle; leashes; catchpole, nets, cages, snake tongs and other trap or containment devices; medical equipment for euthanasia and other standard animal services equipment.