Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer

Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in the enforcement and communication of animal services codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations maintains related records pertaining to field services and animal cases; investigates complaints regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals and issues appropriate citations; transports animal to and from the animal care shelter; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Representative duties include patrolling assigned areas in the city to enforce animal services codes, ordinances, and regulations; capturing wild, stray, and unlicensed animals for impounding; removing and transporting dead and injured animals; investigating and reporting on alleged cruelty to animals; issuing citations; taking appropriate action, which may include impounding animals under the authority of the state animal cruelty law; investigating complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals; picking up dead, injured, and/or stray animals; providing necessary medical care to injured animals, including in extreme cases the use of euthanasia; investigating animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine; transporting animals to animal shelters as needed; preparing and submitting investigative reports and daily activity reports; collecting evidence on animal related cases; completing daily activity logs; referring cases for prosecution given continued problems; registering animals; following up on registration violations including the collection of fees; enforcing local and state laws pertaining to rabies vaccinations; providing public education regarding humane animal services; organizing a quarterly licensing and vaccination clinic in conjunction with a local veterinarian; operating a variety of office equipment; preparing and typing clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, forms, memorandums, correspondence, and records using correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; responding to requests for information from the public, city departments and outside agencies; attending city council and other community meetings as needed in order to speak to groups or individuals to explain policies and provide public education; interpreting, explaining, applying, and enforcing applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; issuing warning notices and citations; maintaining records, logs, and files of activities; operating and maintaining a variety of animal services tools and equipment including humane traps, mobile radios, and related animal services tools and equipment; keeping equipment and vehicle in clean and healthful condition to accept impounded animals; and performing related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge of building and land use plans, specifications, and drawings; the characteristics and normal behavior of various breeds of domestic and wild animals; effective and safe methods of animal handling, techniques and equipment including methods for the capture of sick, injured or vicious animals; the clinical symptoms of rabies in animals and humans; effective public relations and conflict resolution techniques; court procedures and documents; euthanasia techniques and procedures; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable computer software applications; and pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Ability to perform a variety of animal control activities; assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal under stressful or emergency situations; maintain accurate records and prepare reports; safely operate a firearm; type at a speed necessary for successful job performance; understand and adhere to city policies, procedures, rules and regulations; possess effective interpersonal skills, using tact, patience and courtesy; use sound professional judgment; perform routine multi-tasking functions; understand and work within the course and scope of duties, authority and responsibilities; analyze situations and apply departmental rules and regulations effectively, as well as common sense where no guidelines are readily available; work with minimum supervision; deal tactfully, courteously, and effectively with the public when providing customer service; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Experience: two years of experience working as an animal control officer is desired with responsibilities including the enforcement of laws and the handling of various animal species, both wild and domestic. License or certificate: must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License and maintain possession of such license during the course of employment. Must have an acceptable driving record, be insurable at standard rates by city's insurance carrier, and maintain such insurability during the course of employment. Must possess, or have the ability to successfully obtain, a P.C. 832 Arrest and Firearms Qualification within six months of employment. Must possess, or have the ability to successfully obtain, an Euthanasia Technician Certification within six months of employment. Possession of an Animal Health Technician certificate is desirable.