Animal Control Officer

Jefferson County; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Jefferson County is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce animal welfare laws and protect public safety. You will respond to complaints, conduct investigations, and coordinate with the District Attorney on cases involving cruelty, neglect or dangerous animals.

You will also perform humane capture, handling of wildlife, and assist in emergency management, including public outreach and training of patrol staff.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age at hire date.
• Within 12 months must obtain Bureau of Animal Protection Agent commission.
• State certification with AWAC (Colorado).
• GED or high school diploma required.
• Preferred prior animal control or law enforcement experience.

Responsibilities

• Respond to animal control calls and enforce county ordinances.
• Conduct investigations of cruelty, neglect, and dangerous animals.
• Capture and humane euthanasia of sick or rabies-suspect wildlife.
• Interview witnesses and prepare court-ready reports.
• Coordinate with District Attorney and public safety agencies.
• Educate public at outreach events.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Investigations

Public safety

Community outreach

Evidence collection

Education

GED

High School Diploma

Tools

OC spray

ASP baton

Taser

Job description

The Animal Control Officer (SO) performs general law enforcement work to ensure compliance with county ordinances and state statutes relating to the welfare and control of animals. Provides conflict resolution and medication services to citizens regarding both animal and people issues. Completes investigations of alleged animal cruelty and neglect, ownership of dangerous animals, and biting incidents. Educates and informs citizens of domestic and wildlife related issues at public functions and special events. Demonstrates public and officer safety, humane animal capture and containment.

Responds to complaint calls such as leash law violations, aggressive and nuisance behavior and barking. Interviews witnesses, complainants and suspects and takes appropriate enforcement action. Attempts to mediate and de-escalate neighborhood disputes and conflicts. Investigates misdemeanor animal bites, cruelty, and neglect. Interviews suspects and witnesses, collects evidence, and takes appropriate enforcement action. Conducts preliminary investigations of felony animal cruelty, fighting or dangerous dog cases. Patrols an assigned area of the county in a marked patrol vehicle maintaining high visibility and initiating proactive contacts with violators. May also patrol on foot or bicycle; to include hiking. Responds to requests for service to capture and confine stray, deceased, sick, injured or nuisance animals, including domestic animals, wildlife, and livestock. Returns animals to owners when the owner can be identified. Performs humane euthanasia on injured, sick, or rabies-suspect wildlife. Performs administrative tasks, such as completing daily activity logs, scanning paperwork, inventorying, and maintaining animal control equipment, and dispatcher support. Processes and reviews applications and verifies information submitted for dog licenses or other permits. Maintains a case load of animal cruelty, neglect and dangerous dog cases requiring follow up, and enforcement of special sanctions imposed by the courts. Monitors compliance with applicable rules and regulations and determines when reinvestigation is necessary to ensure ongoing compliance. Assists the patrol division when emergencies and traffic accidents are encountered and responds to other incidents where additional personnel are requested. Utilizes emergency equipment and controls traffic. Supports Park Rangers during in-park emergencies. Participates in emergency preparedness and response. Attends FEMA and other emergency management trainings. Facilitates the evacuation of animals and people during large-scale incidents and assists other emergency management efforts. Issues summonses and writes complex investigative reports. Collaborates with District Attorney’s office and collects follow-up information as requested. Assembles and organizes statements and evidence for presentation in court, attends court proceedings and presents evidence and testimony, and releases evidence at conclusion of case. Answers inquiries from the public, providing general information on laws, ordinances, and human and wildlife conflicts. Prepares public presentations and attends outreach events. Provides technical assistance and facilitates internal education/training for the patrol division, as well as other agencies. Collaborates with mental health co-responders, adult protective services, and other agencies in serving mentally ill or at-risk citizens. Performs crisis intervention as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum 21 years of age by hire date and pass pre-hire background investigation. Within 12-months of employment: must obtain commission as a Bureau of Animal Protection Agent (Peace Officer) and state certification from Animal Welfare Association of Colorado (AWAC). Continuing education as prescribed by BAP/AWAC and attend annual sheriff’s office in-service training. Successfully attend re-certification in perishable skills (OC, ASP baton, Taser, driving, First Aid, CPR, etc.) on a rotating schedule. Quarterly qualification in chemical capture (tranquilizer) weapons

Preferred: prior animal control or law enforcement experience.

Education: GED, High School Diploma

Experience: Work Experience: Minimum one year

Certifications: Colorado Law Enforcement Accreditation - Colorado

Languages: Category: Enforcement & Protective Services

A wide variety of great benefit opportunities helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle in balance with a generous leave & holiday schedule.

Equal Opportunity Employer Jefferson County is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons. The County affirms the rights of all employees and applicants for employment to be protected from discrimination, intimidation, physical harm and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, hairstyle associated with racial identity or any other status protected by Federal or State law.