Animal Services Officer
Assists the Animal Services Manager with daily supervision of animal services operations and animal shelter operations, which include but are not limited to performing investigative and animal services ordinance enforcement activities, supervisory responsibilities for daily animal services operations. May assume overall daily supervisory responsibility for the Animal Services Division in the absence of the Animal Services Manager.
Essential functions include :
- Assists Animal Services Manager with daily operations of the Animal Services Division as directed, such as work scheduling, coordinating equipment, and facility maintenance or repair, coordinating and managing special field projects or operations, attending court hearings for notices of violation, dangerous dog hearings, etc as needed, preparing reports, conducting surveys, coordinating required training, coordinating procurement of operational supplies, gathering operational data.
- Investigates and responds to complaints filed against the Animal Services Division or its employees.
- Works with Senior Animal Services Officers and helps train new employees on state-regulated and internal training and department procedures and provides refresher or corrective training for current employees. Guides training progression and upholds strong documentation practices.
- Provides technical and procedural guidance to Animal Services Officers and Shelter Staff.
- Performs intake vaccinations, blood draws for testing, microchip insertions, administers medications, and performs other medical procedures, including euthanasia, as needed.
- Assists with shelter cleaning as needed.
- Responds to calls for service after hours, which could include on-call when necessary.
- Performs vehicle inspections and coordinates vehicle maintenance and repairs.
- Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Area specific essential functions include :
Monitors and enforces compliance with established policies and procedures in the workplace.Reviews records, citations / notices of violation, reports, and documents prepared by Animal Services Officers for quality and procedural compliance, including dangerous dog declaration proceedings and bite reports.Performs animal services ordinance enforcement and field service activities, including patrolling, animal bite investigation and animal impoundment, rabies control and zoonosis control activities, issue citations / notices of violation, prepare field reports, and as otherwise directed.Position qualifications require :
Education : High School Diploma or GED required.Experience : Two (2) years of verifiable, successful experience enforcing animal services ordinances. One (1) year of supervisor experience, preferred.Marketing skills for social media and other marketing strategies preferred.Licenses and Certifications : Must possess or acquire the Texas Department of State Health Services Certified Euthanasia Technician certification or the ability to obtain within 120 days of employment. Must possess or acquire the Texas Department of State Health Services Animal Control Basic certification or ability to obtain within 120 days of employment.Conditions of Employment : Must submit and pass a pre-employment drug, pre-placement medical examination and the job placement assessment (JPA). Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License Class "C" and good driving record as defined by City policy.Other Requirements : Must be available to respond after hours, which may include assisting Officers who are on call or responding to urgent situations; Ability to transport animals weighing up to 75 pounds. This position is subject to emergency call-back during off-duty hours and is required to have a take home vehicle when in call-back status. The individual holding this position will be required to work as usual or as needed, during emergency operations, in preparation for prolonged emergency operations and / or during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by his / her direct supervisor, Department Head or designee, or the City Manager or designee.Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include :
Knowledge of marketing skills for social media and other marketing strategies preferred; extensive knowledge of animal services related State regulations, municipal regulations, applicable federal, state and local laws, City ordinances, requirements relating to animal services and the facility; the care, handling and breed identification of animals; knowledge of a variety of zoonosis, including appropriate control measures; extensive knowledge of effective disease control procedures in an animal shelter environment; extensive knowledge of animal capture, transport, and handling methods; basic knowledge of chemical immobilization methods; medicating and euthanizing animals; accurately identifying a large variety of animal breeds and species; effectively interacting with a wide variety of personalities in the public and workplace, under any conditions; providing leadership, assigning responsibility, and following through on jobs to completion.Skilled in personnel supervision, training, and coordinating operations for assigned areas of responsibility; handling animals; communicating with residents and employees in stressful situations; multi-tasking; organizing and analyzing invoices; showing consideration for and maintaining good relations with others; operating standard office equipment such as personal computer, calculator, and copier; accepting responsibility for his / her actions; performing work accurately and thoroughly; following instructions, safety practices, and standard operating procedures in performing assigned tasks; communicating effectively, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing; being punctual and attending work regularly; and working effectively with people regardless of their race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran's status, genetics, or job type.Physical demands and working conditions include :
Must be familiar with and skilled in the proper use of 48" instant release control poles, 36" animal grasper, animal traps, raccoon / skunk boxes, animal gauntlets, 30" snappy snares, 42" snake tongs, dog leads, tranquilizer equipment, injection equipment for humane euthanasia and other equipment for control and capture purposes.Must be medically fit to work with animals and have the strength and agility to lift and carry items or animals up to 75 pounds.Must be willing to obtain a pre-exposure rabies vaccination, and, when medically required, revaccination shots.It also requires regular work with a personal computer, walking, standing, bending, stooping and reaching.Must possess the ability to regularly operate a motor vehicle and on occasion connect a horse or cattle trailer; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; identify animals at a distance, including ability to describe color of various animals and discriminate between various animal sounds; may be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects, seasonally caused circumstances, special assignments in various extreme cold and hot climates or temperature conditions. May work on uneven or slippery surfaces and work outside in extreme temperature and weather conditions under difficult or hazardous situations and work irregular shifts, including Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; may work overtime as needed and with minimal notice and on-all.Must meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties without risk of injury to self or others, lift large animals, climb ladders and stairs, and chase animals.Must be able to work in exposure to animal dander, waste, animal bites, and various cleaning and disinfectant chemicals. Also requires the mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by telephone; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; On a continuous basis work in an office environment sitting at a desk for long periods of time.