Animal Control Officer

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

PAY GRADE: 108 - $ 28,116.00 minimum salary

SECTION I-JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Animal Control Supervisor and Animal Shelter Supervisor or designee, the Animal Control Officer will be responsible to investigate cases of animal cruelty/neglect, enforce Cameron County ordinance for regulation of stray animals, rescue animals, trap animals running at large and provide humane care of animals under his or her supervision. In addition, the Animal Control Officer will perform animal shelter duties, which follow well established procedures such as clean/disinfect kennels/bowls, feed, euthanize and monitor the behavior and health of impounded animals. The Animal Control Officer will also coordinate the adoption program and will be required to work holidays and weekends.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Employee will accurately document all time worked.

• Operate county vehicles and other equipment within policy and procedures to fulfill essential functions.

• Enforces laws and ordinances/orders by catching and impounding animals running at large in rural areas of Cameron County.

• Performs rescues, removals, disposal, and adoption of animals

• Answer/investigate animal complaints, issuing live animal traps to public.

• Conduct home visits on animal/victims involved in animal bites/attacks.

• Prepare animal specimens to send to State Health Department - Austin for rabies testing.

• Monitor the health and behavior of animals under rabies quarantine care and document all observations onto the Rabies Quarantine forms/logs.

• Up keep and maintain all essential tools, equipment, facility, and vehicles.

• Coordinate and promote the animal adoptions program by identifying potential animals, establishing a network of animal rescue organizations and developing a system to reunite lost pets.

• Coordinate veterinarian office visits for animals needing medical care such as rabies vaccination for owner reunification or animal adoptions.

• Maintain daily animal shelter activity reports used by the Environmental Health Director to monitor daily shelter census.

• Rinses, scrubs and disinfects animal cages and outdoor runs, hallways, floors, walls and isolation/quarantine areas; cleans water and food dishes and related kennel equipment and facilities, scrubs interior of animal-holding refrigerator after animal carcasses have been removed, cleans and disinfects animal

• Provide food and water to each animal kept at shelter and monitor appetite especially quarantine animals.

• Work after hours, weekends, and holidays on emergency calls reported by Sheriff's Department.

• Assist on annual rabies clinics sponsored by Environmental Health Program.

• Assist office on incoming calls and give out general information to public as requested.

• Will train new staff in perspective field.

• Maintain daily activity reports used by the Environmental Health Director to monitor caseloads.

• Maintain accurate records and any other information pertaining to investigations.

• Able to establish and maintain effective working relations with program supervisors and co-workers.

• Acquires information concerning animal control law violations, takes action, causes action to be taken, or relays information to the proper authority

• Assists in prosecution or release to the proper agency of all persons cited in the course of animal control duties.

• Prepares case reports and testifies in court.

• Removes injured and dead animals (dogs and cats) from county roadways and properly disposes of the remains.

• Proactively patrols and reacts to citizen complaints regarding domestic animals.

• Attends civic club meetings, churches, schools, and other places of public gathering to explain the activities and functions of the Department and to establish favorable public relations.

• Ability and willingness to humanely euthanize animals.

• Handle domestic animals with available equipment.

• Prepare and maintain accurate records, files, and documents on case dispositions such as mileage log, daily shelter inventory log, monthly report and Euthanization logs.

• Address violators in a firm, courteous manner in order to develop public respect and confidence in the officer and the Department.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other organizations, and general public.

• Maintain confidentiality of information and restrict the use of such information to work duties.

• Address violators in a firm, courteous manner in order to develop public respect and confidence in the officer and the Department

• Other duties as assigned.

SECTION II-JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or GED, and one (1) year of experience performing code enforcement and/or animal control work in the field of environmental health; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must currently possess, or obtain within six months of employment, the Texas Department of State Health Services Animal Control Officer (TDSHS ACO) Certification. Must maintain an active TDSHS ACO Certification while employed with the Cameron County Public Health Environmental Health Program. Must complete a six (6) month probationary period from the day the TDSHS ACO Certification is attained. Upon successful completion of six month probationary period, the applicant shall become a civil service covered employee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of animal control rules/ordinances and regulations. Knowledge in preparing animals specimens for rabies testing. Ability to fill out and record daily report. Knowledge and skill on loading and unloading animals. Knowledge of correctly and safely euthanizing animals. Required to work after hours, weekends and holidays.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have a valid Texas Driver's License, comply with State of Texas driving laws, and maintain an acceptable driving record. Must have reliable transportation. Employees of Cameron County may be required to work during any natural disaster or emergency.

Criminal background check is required for employment or continued employment. The employee must demonstrate the ability to satisfactorily perform the duties required. The employee may be separated "at will" from employment at any time prior to obtaining TDSHS ACO certification and/or completion of probationary period.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Good health and physical condition sufficient to permit full performance of the duties of the position. If additional assistance is required, employee must request assistance prior to performing the assignment.

SECTION III-JOB DIMENSIONS

CONTACTS:

EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

Occasional contact with other health, social and educational care agencies and outside organizations. Frequent contact with CCPH staff and other county departments. Communication is via telephone, written communication and face to face.

INTERNAL CONTACTS:

Utilizes tact when dealing with County employees, health, social and educational care providers, and clientele regarding operations issues. Constant contact with Human Resources Office.

Communicating is primarily face-to-face, via telephone and through written communication.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Comply with Cameron County, Cameron County Public Health and Department of State Health Services rules/regulations and display a positive public image. As a Cameron County employee, the identity of every client shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of an investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding.

DIFFICULTY:

Judgment is required to ensure completion of job activities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or designee. Uses discretion to achieve work goals. Initiative is constantly required to achieve work goals.

GUIDANCE:

As assigned by immediate supervisor or designee. It is the responsibility of the employee to know and maintain contact with their immediate supervisor or designee.

WORKING CONDITION:

Working conditions are primarily in the Animal Shelter, office, community center or field setting.

This position is subject to a six (6) month probationary period prior to Civil Service eligibility. Must submit to a Civil Service Clerical Exam.

BENEFITS:

Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER