Animal Control Officer

Position Description

• This job posting will be used for on-going hiring without closing for applications. Applications will be reviewed in groups on an on-going basis as described in the Selection Process section below.

The Animal Control Officer is responsible for enforcing State Laws, and City Ordinances for the City of Minneapolis safeguarding life, health, property and livability for residents and stakeholders. This position protects the public health and safety of the residents of Minneapolis by ensuring that all animal laws are appropriately applied in a safe, equitable and uniformed manner.

Animal Control Officers help keep people and animals safe in Minneapolis. They work out of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) , a full-service animal shelter that helps thousands of pets find new homes each year. Animal control officers conduct investigations, respond to calls for service and enforce applicable laws.

Animal Control Officers are dispatched calls through the 311 and 911 call centers. Examples of calls for service are : animal bites, aggressive animal complaints, at large dogs, animal welfare checks, sick and / or injured wildlife, cruelty and neglect cases, animal permit inspections, assist with executing search warrants with Minneapolis Police Department, provide courtroom testimony and more. Officers participate in community engagement by attending public events and visiting schools to educate Minneapolis residents about their work, the City's animal ordinances and how to be safe around animals.

Animal Control Officers receive full departmental training, as well as continuing education and professional development in areas including investigations, animal cruelty, and field training. Animal Control Officers spend 90% of their time in the field, working independently out in the community. The provided City vehicles are fully equipped with necessary technology. The work MACC does is strongly supported by the community and elected officials, and Animal Control Officers have robust cross-departmental interaction and cooperation. All Animal Control Officers support the core values of MACC, including personal and professional excellence, accountability to the community, integrity to foster community trust, and respect for human and animal life and safety.

Work Location : This position currently works on-site only.

Attaching a resume / cover letter is recommended.

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Working Conditions : This position requires handling and restraining of vicious or potentially dangerous and / or deadly animals including dogs, cats, reptiles, hoof stock and multiple species of wildlife, etc. The position is exposed to physical threats which include unpredictable, hostile, and potentially armed individuals. The position may be exposed to zoonotic diseases and parasitic zoonoses such as rabies, tularemia, salmonellosis (and other illness causing bacteria), West Nile virus, brucellosis, Lyme disease, histoplasmosis (and other similar fungal diseases), hantavirus and others. The position is also subject to long periods of exposure to inclement weather, driving, garbed in PPE, lifting and / or carrying heavy loads, crawling, climbing, running, bending, etc.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Education : Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or equivalent.

Minimum Experience : Two years of related experience. Two or more years of animal handling is desired.

Equivalency : An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Licenses / Certifications :

Valid driver's license - Possess and maintain a valid driver's license for the duration of employment in this position.

Position-specific Certifications : Ability to obtain and maintain the following certifications in order to perform essential functions of employment. On-the-job training and certification will be provided.

Preferred Qualifications : National Animal Care and Control (NACA) Certification or equivalent Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer

Desirable Qualifications Language : Bilingual skills in Spanish, Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Hmong, Vietnamese and / or Lao.

Desirable Qualifications Cultural competency : Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Selection Process : The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps : a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check (Police) : The City has determined that a thorough Minneapolis Police Department criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.

Drug and Alcohol Testing : All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.

Medical Exam : After a conditional job offer, candidates will be required to pass a medical examination which includes a physical screening.

Union Representation : This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and AFSCME General Unit (CAF). For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit : http : / / www.minneapolismn.gov / hr / laboragreements / labor-agreements_afscme-general_index

Eligible List Statement : The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire three months after it has been established.

Interview Selection : The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.