Animal Control Officer

Description

Purpose of Position

Enforces laws concerning the care and treatment of animals, protects and rescues domesticated animals, and manages animal shelter.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

• Investigates alleged animal abuse, violations of ordinances related to animal care or behavior, or reports of stray, sick, or dangerous animals.
• Patrols for free-roaming animals in the City limits.
• Takes possession of animals that show signs of neglect, inhumane treatment, disease, or malnutrition.
• Transports animals to shelter or veterinarian while attempts to locate owner are made, and/or when the animal needs to be impounded or investigated for diseases such as rabies.
• Uses department-issued weapons as needed to capture and/or euthanize animals according to established protocol.
• Responds to residents’ calls.
• Checks for City tags on stray animals for identification purposes.
• Uses tranquilizer gun.
• Outsources euthanasia of unclaimed animals in the City kennels.
• Collects and disposes of dead animals.
• Cares for animals at the City’s shelter, cleans kennels, and contacts the veterinarian for care and illnesses as needed.
• Updates social media regarding adoptions and works with animal rescue and support groups on adoptions.
• Maintains animal shelter facility and orders supplies for the facility.
• Follows all safety responsibilities and policies, and ensures work is done with personal protective equipment. Maintains a clean and safe work environment.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High school diploma or G.E.D.; twelve months to 2 years related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Preferred Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Two years of related experience or training. Experience in animal handling or as an animal control officer.

Other Requirements – Certificates/Licensures

Valid Driver’s License.

National Animal Control Association preferred.

Certified to use a tranquilizer gun.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and work orders.
• Ability to remain calm, work with the public with patience, show common sense, and have intuition.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence in the operations of Animal Control and shelter facilities, including the Department of Conservation.
• Available to be on call evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Knowledge, experience, and proficiency in working with animals, animal behavior and care, safety, handling animal control equipment, including a tranquilizer gun.
• Knowledge and proficiency in understanding of City and State laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards, municipal government operations, and department policies, rules, and regulations.
• Skilled in time management, planning, and leadership, good physical shape, driving skills, and problem-solving.
• Ability to communicate with members of the public and to obtain their cooperation and compliance.
• Ability to handle animals in various forms of distress in a safe and humane manner.
• Ability to learn and recognize physical and behavioral characteristics of animals.
• Ability to learn and recognize signs of rabies and other common animal illnesses.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

Supervision

None

Physical Demands

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

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk, use hands to finger, grasp, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit, run, climb, balance, stoop, squat, bend, twist, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Lifting, moving, pushing, or pulling 10 pounds generally occurs.  Lifting and assisting animals are required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Physical work consists of, but is not limited to, walking, running, lifting animals, bending, sitting for long periods of time, lifting objects overhead, and climbing.

Work Environment

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

The person in this position occasionally works overtime and occasionally works nights. There is no shift work associated with this position. This position is on-call regularly. This position requires work both indoors and outdoors and in all types of weather conditions. There may be exposure to chemicals and/or hazardous materials, as well as animal bodily fluids and waste. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

The City of Pevely is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Requirements

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High school diploma or G.E.D.; twelve months to 2 years related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Preferred Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Two years of related experience or training. Experience in animal handling or as an animal control officer.

Other Requirements – Certificates/Licensures

Valid Driver’s License.

National Animal Control Association preferred.

Certified to use a tranquilizer gun.