Animal Control Officer

Athens Clarke County; Georgia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Athens-Clarke County Government seeks a dedicated Animal Services Officer to enforce local animal control ordinances and state laws, respond to emergencies, and support shelter operations.

The role involves field calls, investigations, humane euthanasia when required, and public education on responsible pet ownership. Strong communication and de-escalation skills are essential, with on-call duties and driving responsibilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with one year of experience around animals or equivalent combination.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must obtain Certificate of Euthanasia within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Enforces ACC Code Chapter 4 and applicable state laws regarding animal care and rabies control.
• Responds to public calls and captures stray, loose, injured, or dangerous animals.
• Investigates cruelty, neglect, and hoarding cases; coordinates seizure and impoundment of animals.
• Maintains records and prepares reports; testifies in court as needed.
• Supervises inmate workers and assists in shelter operations and adoption efforts.
• Educates the public on responsible pet ownership and local ordinances.

Skills

Animal control

Public safety

Court testimony

De-escalation

Communication

Driving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certificate of Euthanasia

Job description

Reports To: Animal Services Supervisor

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System - Requires satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period

PAY GRADE: 111

SAFETY SENSITIVE: Yes - Subject to random drug testing per the Athens-Clarke County Drug and Alcohol Ordinance

Purpose of Job

the purpose of this job is to protect public health and safety and the welfare of animals in Athens-Clarke County by enforcing the Unified Government’s animal control ordinances (ACC Code Chapter 4) and applicable state law (O.C.G.A. Title 4). Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, responding to calls for service; capturing and transporting stray, loose, injured, and dangerous animals; investigating reports of cruelty, neglect, hoarding, and animal bites; issuing warnings and citations and testifying in court; educating the public on responsible pet ownership; supporting shelter operations as needed; supervising inmate or community service workers; maintaining related records; and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Job Related Requirements

WORK SCHEDULE: Field operations runs M-F 7am-5pm, Sa-Sun On-Call. Rotating on-call schedule may include callouts after 5pm, weekends, and holidays. Shifts are currently 4–10-hour shifts but will likely be changing to 5–8-hour shifts M-F with Sa-Su on-call rotation.

May be required to work on religious holidays.

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Must work cooperatively with others.

When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

High school diploma or equivalent with one year of experience working around a variety of animals required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Must possess a valid Certificate of Euthanasia or the ability to obtain such certifications within one year of date of hire.

Must obtain security training for the supervision of inmate workers as set forth by the Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures within six months of date of hire or first available opportunity.

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Law Enforcement

• Enforces ACC Code Chapter 4 and applicable state law regarding animal care, restraint and leash requirements, licensing, and rabies control.
• Issues warnings and citations for violations of local and state animal laws; prepares case documentation and testifies in court as needed.
• Obtains warrants for the arrest of certain violators.
• Assists with the investigation and classification of dangerous and vicious dogs under Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law (O.C.G.A. §§ 4-8-20 through 4-8-33) and ACC Code § 4-1-25.

Animal Rescue and Capture

• Responds to public calls regarding emergencies and loose, injured, or potentially dangerous animals.
• Safely captures stray, loose, injured, or dangerous animals, including companion animals, livestock, and wildlife, using humane handling and restraint methods.
• Sets and monitors live animal traps to capture wildlife and domestic animals.
• Transports animals to the shelter, veterinary clinics, and other appropriate facilities and area animal welfare agencies.
• Responds to paged calls for emergency situations after established working hours on a rotating basis.

Investigations

• Investigates reports of animal abuse, neglect, cruelty, and hoarding; gathers evidence, including photographs, witness statements, and scene documentation; and coordinates the seizure and impoundment of animals when warranted.
• Investigates animal bites; manages quarantine procedures for biting animals, including home or shelter confinement and coordination with public health officials.
• Captures and maintains suspected rabid animals for observation.

Shelter and Facility Support

• Occasionally assists with routine shelter operations when not in the field, including feeding, cleaning and sanitation, and general animal care.
• Provides basic medical support to impounded animals, such as vaccinations and minor first aid, under established protocols.
• Performs humane euthanasia of animals as needed and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and department policy.
• Assists in the adoption and reclamation of shelter animals.
• Supervises County inmates and community service workers as assigned.

Public Education

• Educates community members on responsible pet ownership, local ordinances, and humane animal care, in the field and at community events.
• Refers residents to department and community resources, such as licensing, vaccination, and spay/neuter services.

Communications and Records

• Maintains radio contact with the office, other officers, and other agencies.
• Prepares daily activity reports, investigation reports, and other related records; performs data entry and record maintenance; and submits reports to the Animal Services Field Supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of the Animal Services Department.
• Knowledge of practices, policies and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
• Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to animal control and euthanasia.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques, evidence collection, and case preparation for court.
• Knowledge of rabies control and bite quarantine procedures.
• Knowledge of humane safe capture, handling, and restraint techniques for companion animals, livestock, and wildlife.
• Knowledge of and proficient with computers.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements regarding safe disposal of bio hazardous materials.
• Ability to de-escalate conflict and communicate respectfully with residents in tense or emotional situations.
• Ability to utilize human relations and technical skills.
• Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, and operations as they pertain to division operations and activities.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with inmates, management, co-workers, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the Animal Services Department.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing work situations.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
• Ability to handle required mathematical calculations.
• Ability to recognize health risks such as exposure to contaminated blood, contagious diseases such as rabies, and dangerous chemicals.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, animal traps, restraint poles, transport vehicles, bolt cutters, snake tongs, muzzles, animal stretcher and dart gun. This position requires: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of medium work.

DATA CONCEPTION

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, animals, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people and/or animals to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants from supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Requires ability to read a variety of maps, books, charts, and reports and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare truck log, cruelty/neglect forms and reports, bite incident reports, euthanasia records, impound sheets, written warnings, and citations using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE

Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including veterinary, legal, and 10 code terminology.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize determine percentages; interpret graphs.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with various animal control devices and office equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using animal control and office equipment. Requires the ability to lift, bend, push, pull, manipulate equipment/tools and objects as the position necessitates.

MANUAL DEXTERITY

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as animal control devices and office equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION

May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency. Must be adaptable to managing conflict on a routine basis. Must be adaptable to coping with the grief associated with animal euthanasia.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone, two-way radio.

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [e-mail].