CLASSIFICATION DETAILS
DEPARTMENT: Animal Control
HIRING AUTHORITY: Director
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period
CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (40 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 am but may change based on the needs of the facility.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Animal Control Division is seeking candidates that strive to enrich our team-orientated department and high caliber of Officers. Animal Control Officers are responsible for protecting the health and safety of our residents, protecting animals, and promoting their humane treatment. Animal Control Officers have a commitment to Public Education on responsible pet ownership. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment and decision-making to prioritize assignments and activities while out in the field. Animal Control Officers work with many different animals, such as domestic and wild animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, pocket pets, horses, livestock, raccoons, skunks, waterfowl, and birds of prey. Animal Control Officers should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be self-motivated, and a team player.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Enforces local, state, and federal laws and ordinances concerning the care, treatment, selling, licensing, and impounding of animals.
Patrol assigned County areas for stray animals and dispose of deceased animals.
Investigates animal bites, cruelty, and other complaints and issue citations, warnings, and warrants.
Prepares investigative reports that may be introduced as legal court evidence.
Appears for scheduled court dates and testifies regarding civil infractions, misdemeanors, and felony charges.
Identifies impounded animals and prepares daily impounding slips.
Performs humane euthanasia and prepares animals for rabies testing.
Provides care for animals according to established schedules and procedures.
Maintains logs and activity reports daily.
Performs inspections of kennels, horseback riding stables and pet stores.
Transports animals for veterinary procedures.
Handles various types of animals including but not limited to domestic, wild, farm and livestock animals that are living or deceased.
Assists the public, in the field and at the Animal Control facility, with questions regarding animal care, laws, ordinances, and regulations.
Sanitizes and maintains animal cages, kennels, pens, and yards and reports any problems.
Inspects and sanitizes department vehicles and equipment daily and reports any problems.
Required to travel to attend mandatory training, conferences, or other events.
Required to participate in on-call rotation as directed.
Works mandatory overtime as directed, including weekends and holidays.
Works a flexible schedule as determined by operation demands.
Operates an assigned County vehicle to perform assigned duties.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience
- High school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel
- Obtain certification by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as an Animal Control Officer within six (6) month probationary period
- Obtain certification in performing euthanasia and tranquilization techniques within the six-month probationary period
- As a condition of hire, certification in Level 1 and Level 2 from the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) must be successfully completed within eighteen months from the date of hire
Preferred Education and Experience
- Three (3) or more years of animal control experience
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Animal health and well-being
- Law enforcement techniques, principles and practices
- Local, state and federal animal laws and of court procedures
- Handling and caring for animals
- Animal euthanasia methods
- Tranquilization medications, methods and techniques
Skill in:
- Physical agility and stamina
- Active Listening
- Interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking
- Emotional intelligence
- Service orientation
- Speaking
Ability to:
- Determine breeds, species, sex, and age of animals
- Recognize signs of animal illness, neglect, abuse, and cruelty
- Restrain and capture animals and the ability to interpret animal body language
- Comply with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and follow orders of superior officers
- Maintain composure under stressful situations
- Adapt behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected situations
- Effectively speak, write, and understand the English language
- Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
- Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
- Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
- Maintain the confidentiality of information
- Work independently
