Field Operations Officer - Animal Services

Summary

Under general supervision, the Animal Control Officer position promotes education and public safety by enforcing the state laws and city ordinances related to the humane care and treatment of animals.

Essential Functions

• Investigates reports of violations of State laws and City ordinances including inhumane, neglectful, or cruel treatment of animals, animal bites, dangerous dog attacks, rabies exposures, nuisance animals, and livestock violations;

• Utilize discretion and proper judgment with authority to gain compliance through the issuance of citations and warnings, and/or authoring and executing search and seizure warrants and testifying at court hearings;

• Proactively patrol the community for loose dogs, using a combination of training, experience, and critical thinking skills to capture and remove unattended or stray animals from local neighborhoods;

• Bait, set and monitor traps to capture wild and domestic animals;

• Operate and maintain a variety of equipment including an Animal Control vehicle, two-way radio, mobile computer terminal, catchpoles, traps, snares, nets, etc.;

• Perform administrative tasks accurately including writing reports daily, collecting and processing evidence, and maintaining records of all cases.

• Possess the ability to effectively communicate with the general public, suspects and complainants;

• Assist other city departments with animal-related issues;

• Removes dead animals, transporting and disposing of properly;

• Euthanize sick, injured, dangerous, or stray animals as necessary and properly dispose of said animal;

• Quarantine animals suspected of biting for rabies observation or prepare specimens for submission of rabies testing

Responds to emergency calls during assigned on-call;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Completion of a high school diploma or the equivalent with an additional one year of experience in a public contact position; or any combination of relevant education and experience.

• Must obtain a certification as a Basic Animal Control Officer through the Texas Department of State Health Services within the timeframe by the department.

• Must obtain a certification as a Certified Euthanasia Technician recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services within the timeframe set by the department.

Valid Current Driver's License

Physical Exam Required

Work Schedule: Monday-Sunday; rotating 40-hour work week; 8-hour shifts between 6am-9pm;

Must be flexible, as we are an essential city department

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Various breeds of dogs, cats, and other domestic and wild animals

• Animal behavior and diseases

• Basic methods of animal collection

• Law enforcement principles and procedures

Ability to:

• Learn, interpret, and understand laws and regulations governing the humane treatment of animals;

• Learn and develop skills in the humane treatment of animals;

• Ability to work well with others and have a good/pleasant attitude

• Regular and timely attendance;

• Ability to remain objective in difficult and stressful situations;

• Provide assistance to law enforcement and emergency personnel in a variety of capacities;

• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;

• Accurately observe and remember names, places, incidents, people and animals;

• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work;

• Perform duties with a significant degree of independence within established guidelines and procedures;

• Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions;

• Follow verbal and written instructions;

• Learn and navigate the city's geography;

• Learn specialized software;

• Utilize computer skills and keyboarding skills;

• Prepare and maintain accurate records;

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds

• Occasionally lift and carry up to 75 pounds

• Frequently stand and walk during the shift

• Occasionally climb stairs and inclined surfaces

• Push and pull objects in order to place animals into a cage

• Frequently flex upper trunk forward at the waist and partially at the knees to pick up animals

• Frequently rotate upper trunk to the right and left while sitting or standing

• Place arms above, at, and below shoulder height