Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer New Hire Incentive:

• $600 Paid upon hire ($300 for part-time)
• $300 Paid upon completion of a successful completed the field training program ($150 for part-time)
• $300 Paid upon completion of a successful (passing evaluation) 1-year period ($150 for part-time)

New hires who receive this incentive and voluntarily leave City employment on or before completion of six months' employment shall repay the City the full $600 new hire incentive ($300 for part-time).

Job Summary

Protects and serves the community by enforcing City of Grapevine animal ordinances and state laws for the control, care and protection of animals within City limits. Maintains community safety. Provides customer service, animal care, and community education in a professional manner.

Essential Functions

1. Serves the needs of customers through phone calls, electronic communication, and in person.

2. Operates and enters information into shelter database to collect animal and person data correctly.

3. Performs paperwork to complete intake (surrenders, stray, etc.) and outcome (adoption, redemption, etc.).

4. Provides counseling for adoptions and owner retention of animals.

5. Receives money for fees, adoptions, donations, etc. and provide receipt.

6. Maintains records and files on animal bites, citizen complaints, adoptions and other paperwork as required.

Prepares written reports and computer reports on complaints, investigations, and administrative matters.

7. Attends offsite events, including but not limited to, adoption events, festivals, and educational offerings.

8. Provides tours and educational opportunities at the Shelter and Adoption Center.

9. Patrols streets and responds to capture wild and/or domestic animals and transport captured animals to the appropriate location.

10. Operates City vehicle safely and acts according to City and State laws while carrying out duties.

11. Responds to complaints regarding stray or lost animals (domestic/pet, wild, or farm livestock), assists citizens with nuisance wildlife (including traps) and venomous or dangerous animals such as snakes.

12. Removes deceased animals from varied locations (thoroughfares, fields, yards, etc.)

13. Investigates complaints regarding vicious or dangerous animals and animal bites; impounds or quarantines offending animal and advises animal owner of applicable laws.

14. Prepares and ships rabies specimens to Texas Department of State Health Services.

15. Operates and communicates via two-way radio and in-car computer.

16. Maintains equipment and vehicle.

17. Provides education to owners and public on applicable animal laws and animal welfare.

18. Enforces City animal control ordinances and state laws through the issuance of warnings and/or citations; appears in municipal court to testify regarding violations and/or investigations.

19. Investigates questionable animal deaths or cruelty to animal complaints.

20. Maintains and cleans kennels, cages, outdoor run areas and other rooms in use for animal care at the Shelter and Adoption Center.

21. Provides necessary food, water and shelter to impounded animals.

22. Monitors and reports signs of illness or injury in animals to supervisor.

23. Performs euthanasia as required.

24. Reconciles animals and updates paperwork in shelter database to reflect changes.

25. Performs other related duties as directed when such duties are a logical and appropriate assignment to the position.

26. Interacts professionally and respectfully with the public, coworkers and others in the course of daily work.

27. Regular and timely attendance are required for this position.

Required Skills

• Must be able to remain calm in stressful situations, controlling emotions, and resolve issues quickly and efficiently, using sound judgement.

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Must be able to follow verbal and written directives.

• Must be able to communicate courteously and effectively with other people and maintain a pleasant and friendly demeanor at all times.

• Must be able to exercise good judgment and make competent decisions in all activities.

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.

• Position may be required to work overtime and may be required to daily adjust shift schedule on occasion.

• Ability to read, write and perform simple math. Physical abilities to perform job functions.

• Ability to acquire knowledge of city animal codes and ordinances, and specific techniques.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or equivalent plus two years of experience in Animal Control or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Must obtain Texas Department of State Health Services Basic Animal Control certificate of completion within one year of employment.

A state-approved euthanasia certificate of completion must be obtained within four months of employment.

Must pass a Federal/National criminal background check, polygraph, psychological exam and credit check. Must have a valid Texas driver's license with an acceptable driving record as defined by City policy.

Due to Criminal Justice Information Security (CJIS) requirements, the candidate must never have been convicted, put on court-ordered community supervision, or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order. Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Deferred Adjudication, or Felony Conviction are permanent disqualifiers.

Must pass a pre-employment basic physical, drug screen, functional assessment screening (Level 1), Titmus vision screening, Ishihara vision screening, and smell test.

Working Conditions

While performing the essential functions of this position involves routine and frequent exposure to:

• Bright/dim light

• Dusts and pollen

• Extreme heat and/or cold

• Wet or humid conditions

• Extreme noise levels

• Animals/wildlife

• Vibration

• Fumes and/or noxious odors

• Traffic

• Moving machinery

• Electrical shock

• Heights

• Disease/pathogens

• Toxic/caustic chemicals

• Other extreme hazards not listed above

Safety equipment is provided as needed per job assignment and must be worn as required by department procedures and good safety practices.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to perform medium work that involves walking, standing, sitting, stooping, jumping, stretching, or lifting. The employee frequently is required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

Regular full-time employees are assigned to work at least 40 hours per week, and are eligible for the City's benefit package, subject to the conditions and limitations of each program. The City of Grapevine offers a generous and comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, life insurance.