About the position
The purpose of the Animal Control Officer position is to enforce animal control codes and ordinances, protect human life and property, and assist with the care of animals housed in the County animal shelter. This role involves a variety of duties including patrolling the County to locate and pick up stray animals, observing and investigating animal control violations, and enforcing animal-related laws and ordinances. The officer will capture domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals, set animal traps, load animals into cages, and transport them to the animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations. Additionally, the officer will be responsible for relocating displaced wildlife, removing dead animals from roadways, and assisting law enforcement by removing animals from accident or crime scenes. The Animal Control Officer will respond to animal-related complaints and investigate incidents such as animal bites, potential animal cruelty and abuse, animals in distress, and issues involving stray and nuisance animals. This includes mediating and resolving citizen disputes, conducting interviews of bite victims, animal owners, and witnesses, determining the vaccination status of animals, issuing citations, and performing follow-up as appropriate. The officer will also process captured animals and those removed from homes or dangerous situations, handling frightened, fractious, and injured animals, checking for signs of rabies or disease, and quarantining animals as necessary. In addition to enforcement duties, the officer will assist in caring for shelter animals, which includes feeding, training, exercising, administering vaccines and medications, grooming, and performing temperament tests for appropriate adoption matches. The officer will also be responsible for processing a variety of documentation associated with department operations, maintaining computerized and/or hardcopy records, and communicating with supervisors, other County employees, and the public to coordinate work activities and resolve problems. The position may require working flexible hours, including evenings, and performing other related duties as assigned.
Responsibilities
- Patrols County to locate and pick up stray animals and to observe and investigate animal control violations.
- Enforces animal related laws and ordinances; captures domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals.
- Sets animal traps; loads animals into cages; transports animals to animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations.
- Relocates displaced wildlife; removes dead animals from roadways; assists law enforcement by removing animals from accident or crime scenes.
- Responds to animal related complaints; investigates animal bites, potential animal cruelty and abuse, and animals in distress.
- Provides information and assistance; mediates and resolves citizen disputes; conducts interviews of bite victims, animal owners, and witnesses.
- Determines vaccination status of animals; issues citations and violations; performs follow-up as appropriate.
- Processes captured animals and animals removed from homes or dangerous situations; handles, lifts, and carries animals as appropriate.
- Checks animals for signs of rabies, disease, or other illnesses; quarantines animals as necessary; assigns and transports animals to shelter.
- Prepares and maintains all related documentation; operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data.
- Communicates with supervisor, other County employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities.
Requirements
- Requires a High School diploma or equivalent.
- Two (2) years of related experience in animal control, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Euthanasia Certification.
- National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) ACO Level 1 and/or Level 2 Certification is a plus.
- Knowledge of local government operations, Animal Control related programs, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in animal care or veterinary assistance.
- Certification in animal behavior or training.
- Experience in conflict resolution and mediation.
