Animal Services Officer

Overview

The Anne Arundel County Government Department of Animal Services is dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals and ensuring safe human-animal interactions. This posting will fill a full-time, permanent, safety-sensitive, represented Animal Services Officer. This is responsible work patrolling an assigned region of the County and responding to complaints regarding domestic animals and wildlife. Employees in this class ensure compliance with animal control and protection laws and regulations of Anne Arundel County.

Nature and variety of work

Work involves investigation of reported animal bites, complaints of cruelty to animals, examination of animal kennels, and processing rabid animal carcasses. May include supervision of a small group of subordinates in animal shelter activities. Work is performed under general supervision within established laws, regulations, and procedures and is reviewed by a superior through observation and conferences.

Employees in this classification are essential employees and must report to work under all weather conditions. This work involves exposure to hostile citizens, aggressive animals, blood-borne pathogens, and animal body fluids. The job may require driving a county vehicle, walking, reaching, stooping, accessing cramped spaces, and lifting animals weighing up to 100 pounds with assistance. Employees will be required to work overtime, holidays, weekends, shift work, and standby duty.

Patrols assigned area of the County on a scheduled basis, in an animal control vehicle, to search for stray, sick, injured, or dead animals; provides services as needed; and delivers animals to designated facilities for disposition.

Investigates complaints regarding sick, diseased, injured, or aggressive animals, and animals involved in bite incidents. Prepares dead animal carcasses for further evaluation. Apprehends and confines sick, diseased or injured animals considered to be a risk to public safety; render emergency euthanasia; investigate reports of cruelty to animals; investigate wild animal complaints; and retrieves animal carcasses.

Inspects, examines and licenses kennels, pet grooming salons, pet shops and veterinary hospitals operating a business in the County for code compliance. Enforces County animal control laws; issues verbal and written warnings, issues compliance notices and summonses to violators of animal control laws; ensures humane treatment of animals.

Follows established procedures to document in writing a record of animal control and licensing activities performed. Prepares and assembles reports of animal control activities.

Provides information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, and adoptions.

Assists with office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public and performing animal care duties such as feeding, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, and segregating and isolating animals when necessary.

Testifies in courts of law and in administrative hearings. Prepares detailed written reports and case files of investigated cases as required. Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of County roads and street locations, and of applicable traffic laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the handling, care and characteristics of domestic animals.
• Knowledge of laws and ordinances governing animal protection and control.
• Knowledge of hazards and safety practices involved in animal control work.
• Skill in the safe and efficient operation of light motor vehicles.
• Ability to communicate calmly, clearly and succinctly to citizens and in courts of law.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Ability to write clear, accurate, and concise reports of investigations and other assigned activities.
• Ability to apprehend aggressive animals safely.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and word processing software.
• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and conduct when working with citizens and officials of the County.
• Ability to learn to euthanize animals in a caring and humane manner.

Qualifications:

Graduation from high school; one or more years of experience in animal control or related work dealing with the public; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

Notes

Note:

This is a Safety Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.

Note:

The selection process includes a comprehensive background investigation.

Note:

Longevity pay is available based on years of service.

Preferred qualifications