Animal Control Officer

city of americus; Americus (GA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Americus, Georgia, is seeking an Animal Control Officer to patrol city streets, respond to dispatched calls involving animal issues, capture and transport animals, and enforce animal control codes. You will work with local veterinarians and humane society to ensure compliance and humane handling.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or GED, vocational training in animal handling, 5 months of related experience, and a valid Georgia driver's license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; supplemented by vocational/technical training in animal control or animal handling.
• 5 months previous experience and/or training involving animal control or animal handling.

Responsibilities

• Patrol city streets to locate and pick up stray animals or reptiles and transport to shelter or vet as appropriate.
• Respond to calls concerning animal bites, cruelty, distress, or nuisance animals and investigate complaints.
• Handle and restrain animals, check for signs of illness, and maintain animal care and safety.
• Maintain equipment and vehicles, prepare reports, and testify in court as needed.
• Coordinate with veterinarians, humane society, and other agencies as required.

Skills

Animal handling

Driving

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED; vocational/technical training in animal control or animal handling

Job description

The purpose of this classification is to patrol the city for animal control purposes, respond to dispatched calls involving various animal situations, pick up and transport animals, handle a variety of animals, and ensure compliance with animal control laws/ordinances.

Enforces the provisions of all applicable animal control codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Patrols city roads to locate and pick up stray animals or reptiles; assists animals in problem situations; captures domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals/reptiles; sets animal traps; loads animals into cages; transports animals to animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations; relocates displaced wildlife; removes dead animals from roads.

Responds to incoming calls concerning various animal issues, such as animal bites/attacks, potential animal cruelty/abuse, animals in distress, stray/nuisance animals, barking dogs, wild/dangerous animals, sick/injured animals, loose livestock, or other complaints; investigates complaints, mediates disputes, and initiates problem resolution; assists in locating lost animals.

Handles, lifts, and carries animals, restraining as appropriate; handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals; checks animals for signs of rabies, disease, or other illnesses; cares for injured animals; disposes of dead animals.

Operates various machinery, equipment, and tools associated with animal control activities, which may include a utility truck, animal restraint equipment, animal cages/traps, catch poles, nets, dart gun, snake tongs, pitchfork, electric drill, mechanical tools, speed trailer, floor buffer, and radio communications equipment.

Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.

Performs general/preventive maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, refueling vehicles, checking/replacing fluids, greasing equipment, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop/work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.

Receives, reviews, prepares or maintains various forms, reports, correspondence, police reports, complaints, laws, ordinances, manuals, maps, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Testifies in court as needed.

Provides assistance to local veterinarians, local humane society, county agencies, or other individuals/organizations as needed.

Provides training and direction to community service workers assigned to work detail in the department; maintains time records of community service workers.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, community service workers, other departments, police/emergency personnel, court personnel, humane society personnel, veterinarians, county health department, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Maintains a current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new methods, equipment, trends, and advances in the profession.

Performs miscellaneous tasks as assigned or as needed, which may include running various errands,picking up supplies, washing department vehicles, performing minor repairs, or performing special work details.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs various maintenance tasks associated with cleaning/repairing department facilities, which may include cleaning training center, cleaning/mopping floors, waxing/buffing floors, assembling furniture items, or performing minor repairs; provides assistance or support to other departments as needed, which may include transporting speed trailer used at roadsides, transporting stop signs when traffic lights are not working, assisting with setup for various City events/activities, or running various errands; performs other related duties as required.

High school diploma or GED; supplemented by vocational/technical training in animal control or animal handling; supplemented by 5 months previous experience and/or training involving animal control or animal handling; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility. Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in a supervisory capacity.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. May include counting, recording of counts, and basic measuring.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, traffic hazards, bright/dim light, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, violence, animal attacks, or animal bites.

The City of Americus, Georgia, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.