Animal Control Officer

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs a variety of animal control, rabies control, and law enforcement activities to safeguard citizens from dangerous animals.

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Responds to citizen calls for service; captures, contains, and impounds animals at-large, including sick, injured, and vicious animals; relocates wild animals; investigates animal bite reports; collects and prepares specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Investigates nuisance and animal cruelty complaints; interviews witnesses; notifies owners and involved parties of animal violations and corrective actions; writes reports, issues citations, and prepares court documents and testifies in court.
• Investigates request of service for dogs running at large, barking and nuisance issues; seizes animals as allowed by Arizona Statutes.
• Transports animals to shelter; picks up and disposes of dead animals; issues cat traps.
• Provides animal related information to public; responds to questions regarding animal and rabies control issues; assists with vaccination and license clinics.
• Assists in operating City animal shelter in accordance with all laws, ordinances and established procedures; cleans and maintains safe and sanitary conditions in the animal shelter.
• Performs basic animal care including cleaning and feeding animals, medical care, and restraint and infection control procedures.
• Evaluates animals for survival and adoptability, and euthanizes animals as necessary.
• Writes correspondence and reports; processes reports, forms, licenses, fees and files.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

None.

High School diploma or GED equivalent and two (2) years’ experience in animal related field.

Possession of a valid Arizona Drivers License; specific technical training and certifications may be required.

• City policies and procedures.
• Federal, State, City and County laws, statutes, and ordinances relating to the control, protection, licensing, impounding and disposal of animals.
• General safety practices, legal liabilities and responsibilities, animal capture and restraint techniques and equipment.
• The principles of record keeping and records management.

• Identifying symptoms, causes, procedures and reporting requirements for rabies control and other common animal disease.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
• Following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions.
• Capturing, controlling, containing, and transporting sick, injured, and rabid animals.
• Identifying various types of animals and recognizing abnormal behavior and the symptoms of animal diseases.
• Exercising patience, care and compassion in dealing with animals.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the general public.

Work is performed outdoors and in City Animal Shelter.

The City does not hire at the top of the range. Candidate may start above the beginning of the range depending on qualifications.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needed.