Animal Control Officer I

Nature of Work

This is responsible law enforcement and animal control work assisting with all aspects of animal apprehension, control and placement for Maury County. Activities associated with the job include assisting with the collection of stray and/or abandoned animals, transporting them to the animal shelter and providing care for them until they are reunited with their owner, adopted and/or euthanized. Additional responsibilities include educating the public about rabies control and regulations governing animals, assisting with the cleaning and maintenance of the animal shelter, investigating and prosecuting animal abuse cases, training law enforcement officers on animal control activities and assisting in euthanasia activities when necessary. Incumbents are also authorized to issue citations and warrants for criminal offenses related to the care and treatment of animals. Job responsibilities require good interpersonal, organizational and decision-making skills, considerable experience in animal control activities and working with animals, knowledge of all state regulations and local ordinances governing the care and treatment of animals, ability to consistently adhere to established operational policies and procedures and sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions. Job performance is evaluated by the Director through review of the effectiveness of animal control activities, ability to effectively supervise and direct the activities of volunteers and inmates, knowledge of state regulations and local ordinances governing animal control activities, ability to interact effectively with the public and efficient use of departmental funding.

Illustrative Examples of Work

-Consistently adheres to established operational policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Animal Shelter.

-Assists with patrolling neighborhoods and responding to calls to apprehend stray and/or abandoned animals and transporting them to the animal shelter.

-Assists with supervising and directing the daily activities of all volunteers and trustees when necessary.

-Investigates allegations of animal cruelty, neglect and/or abandonment.

-Assists with performing required administrative duties such as logging calls, preparing surrender forms, bite reports, etc.

-Assists with ensuring the cleanliness and proper maintenance of the animal shelter and recommending the procurement of maintenance services when necessary.

-Assists with providing training to other law enforcement personnel on animal related laws and the proper handling of animals and/or animal related complaints.

-Responds to complaints and/or emergency situations in accordance with the current Animal Control Protocol and mediates disputes involving citizens and animals.

-Assists with conducting investigations, preparing reports and assists in the prosecution of animal abuse cases.

-Interacts with pet owners and the public when dealing with stray or abandoned animals and animals that have been hurt or have bitten someone.

-Educates the public on the law and ordinances pertaining to animal ownership and control.

-Assists with maintaining the cleanliness of the animal shelter and providing care for animals awaiting adoption.

-Assists with compiling statistics, maintaining records and preparing reports of shelter activities, animal dispositions and animal control activities.

-Assists with the apprehension and intake of animals and the day-to-day showing and adoption of animals.

-Executes citations to individuals in violation of ordinances pertaining to the care and control of animals and assists with prosecuting animal abuse cases.

-Assists in ascertaining the health and disposition of animals brought to the animal shelter.

-Assists in administering medicine to animals, tranquilizing uncontrollable animals and administering euthanasia.

-Assists with ensuring a prope inventory of all supplies and equipment required for animal control operations.

-Performs related duties as required.

Necessary Requirements of Work

Graduation from an accredited high school; experience in crime prevention and law enforcement; considerable experience working with animals; ability to interact appropriately with local officials and the public; good organizational and decision making skills; considerable experience working as an animal control officer; sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience to provide the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

-Considerable knowledge of state statutes and regulations regarding the care and treatment of animals and animal control activities.

-Considerable knowledge of the statutes, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to animal control, adoption and disposal for Maury County.

-Considerable knowledge of animal handling and apprehension techniques, animal behavior and animal health.

-Considerable knowledge of administrative practices and procedures pertaining to the preparation and storage of reports and documentation for animal control operations.

-Considerable knowledge of common diseases occurring in domestic animals and the medication(s) and/or treatment procedures to cure and/or alleviate symptoms and prevent the transmission to other animals.

-Considerable knowledge of animal medications and drugs used for tranquilization and euthanasia.

-Considerable knowledge of effective hygiene practices and required maintenance activities for the efficient operation of an animal control shelter.

-Ability to consistently adhere to established operational policies and procedures required to ensure the efficient operation of the Animal Shelter.

-Ability to perform the physically demanding aspects of the position in a variety of weather conditions.

-Ability to effectively supervise and direct the activities of volunteers and inmates assisting at the animal shelter.

-Ability to interact in a professional, effective manner with pet owners and the public.

-Ability to determine the health and disposition of animals.

-Ability to make proper decisions pertaining to the apprehension and control of animals.

-Ability to prepare reports and maintain documentation in accordance with existing policies and procedures.

-Skill in the use of animal control equipment including leashes, catch poles, cat grabbers, dart guns, throw net, snake tongs, traps, squeeze gates and syringes.

-Skill in the operation of a motor vehicle.

Necessary Special Requirements

-Expandable Baton Training or equivalent.

-Firearms safety course or equivalent; proficiency in the use of firearms including shotguns and rifles.

-Chemical Spray Use (OC/CS) Certification or equivalent.

-Completion of NIMS ICSD 100, 200, 700 and 800 courses.

-Must be a credentialed member of the Maury Co. Disaster Animal Response Team.

-Possession of a valid Tennessee Drivers License and the ability to be insured at standard vehicle insurance rates.

-Must maintain a current and valid Certification for Euthanasia through the State of Tennessee Division of Health Related Board.

-Other training and/or certification deemed necessary by the Director.

Physical Requirements

-This is heavy work requiring considerable static, explosive, dynamic and trunk strength and requiring the exertion of up to 80 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects

-Work requires considerable flexibility, mobility and speed of limb movement

-Work requires considerable effort and stamina

-Work requires both gross body equilibrium and coo