Animal Protection Officer

Position Summary

Enforce City ordinances pertaining to the care, treatment, impound, handling and quarantine of wild and domestic animals; investigate reports of animal cruelty, abandonment and nuisances; perform euthanasia; and perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Description s are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Patrol all assigned area of City, search for stray, domestic, exotic, wild animals and deceased or diseased animals; take appropriate action.
• Investigate and respond to reports of animal bites, nuisance complaints, physical abuse, cruelty and abandonment; enforce pertinent city ordinances.
• Conduct inspections of premises including but not limited to pet stores, pet service providers and boarding kennels for compliance of pertinent city ordinances.
• Issue various citations or warnings as necessary; receive summons and appear and testify in court.
• Conduct animal rescues utilizing appropriate equipment.
• Operate and maintain a variety of animal handling equipment; place animals in quarantine as required by law to prevent spread of disease.
• Maintain a variety of services animal control logs and files; prepare forms and reports; enter and retrieve information on electronic equipment.
• Respond to and resolve difficult citizen inquiries and complaints regarding animals.
• Perform euthanasia on wild (non-domestic) rabies carriers such as: skunk, bat, raccoon, badger, squirrel, porcupine, rat, mice, possum, rabbit, ground hog, badger, beaver and prairie dog, in order to prevent suffering of an animal, disease and public safety issues.

• Conduct lectures or training on Animal Services issues and behavior at public schools, neighborhood associations and businesses, etc.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

High School Diploma or GED; and Three (3) years of animal care or security experience.

Experience In Enforcing Ordinances Preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Possession of a valid Euthanasia Technician License issued by the State of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department within one (1) year from date of hire.

Environmental

Field and animal shelter environments; exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals, animal body fluids, waste and other infectious materials and inclement weather conditions.

Physical

Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for heavy or moderate lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling or walking for prolonged periods of time; and operating motorized vehicles.