Animal Control Officer

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Ensures the safety of both citizens and animals with knowledge and enforcement of rabies control, animal welfare, shelter operation and citizen welfare regarding Animal Control. This is accomplished by patrolling the City for animal violations, conducting inspections of properties, issuing citations and violations notices, and completing administrative duties. Other duties include providing customer service to the public and other departments.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Employee has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts inspections by patrolling the City for animal violations; investigating neglect or other complaints; responding to citizen complaints; scheduling regular inspections; touring the building or property; noting violations of code; researching to locate owners, if necessary; notifying owners of results of inspections; and re-inspecting noncompliant locations.

Issues citations and violations by compiling inspection reports; preparing cases for court; executing warrants; and ensuring clean-up is completed or animals are cared for.

Serves various criminal or civil notices or papers related to enforcement of Federal, State and Local laws and Animal Control Ordinances.

Completes administrative duties by answering calls; providing information to the public and other departments as requested; compiling various reports; completing documents and forms; and maintaining records.

Provides customer service to the public by developing and implementing community and school education programs; assisting other departments with community functions; and developing and implementing neighborhood incentives.

Performs departmental specific functions by attending animals in the animal shelter; picking up strays and/or dangerous and dead animals; providing adoption services; conducting euthanasia services; dispatching service calls; ensuring properties are cleaned up; and ensuring repairs are made to buildings or facilities.

Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance as well as responding to after hour emergency calls.

Maintains availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.

Carries out duties in compliance with Federal, State, Local laws, and ordinances.

Maintains contact with Police and Fire personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provides mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.

Logs all calls and handles inquiries from the public pertaining to animal ownership and ordinances.

Carries out euthanasia and the preparation and submission of animals for rabies examinations. Responsible for preparation of various memos, letters and reports that require the information from the I/Leads, other secured databases, or intelligence of a sensitive nature.

Attends meetings that involve information of a sensitive nature.

Accesses secured City facilities.

Serves as a member of various employee committees.

Maintains Departmental equipment, supplies, and facilities.

Other duties as assigned.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Serves as a member of various employee committees.

Maintains Departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.

Cares for, feeds and houses animals at the animal shelter.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.

• Two (2) years of related experience in the handling and care of animals, security, law enforcement, code enforcement, or military law/code enforcement, preferred.

• One (1) year experience in an animal shelter environment, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Some knowledge of law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.

• Working knowledge of animal restraint and care techniques.

• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations. ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, and the public; ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

• Ability to learn the City's geography.

• Work requires analysis and judgment in accomplishing diversified duties. Requires the exercise of independent thinking within the limits of policies, standards, and precedents.

• Must be able to read, write and comprehend the English language.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with the ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Ordinarily, such education is obtained in high school up to college. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.

• Requires knowledge of various breeds of domesticated, non-domesticated and exotic animals and their behavior and traits.

• Must be able to comply with policy and procedure as set forth by the City of Killeen. Skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.

• Receives general direction: The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. The employee may choose the appropriate procedure or policy. Performance is reviewed periodically.

Supplemental Information

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1.Must have a valid driver's license by date of hire.

2.Must obtain and maintain a Texas Driver's License within 90 days of hire.

3.Basic Animal Control Officer Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of employment.

4.Euthanasia Technician certification must be obtained within six (6) months of employment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Patrol vehicle, animal restraint and capture equipment, radio, euthanasia devices, and first aid equipment; also, appropriate safety equipment as necessary.

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 duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk and hear.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The position is a safety sensitive position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.

The employee is constantly exposed to animals, some of which can be vicious. The employee is also exposed to chemicals related to the euthanasia process, as well as chemicals used in disinfecting facilities.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.