Animal Control Officer

City of Indianapolis; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniforms provided

Job summary

City of Indianapolis Animal Care Services seeks an Animal Care Officer to respond to citizen requests, apprehend at-large animals, and enforce municipal codes. The role includes investigating bites, issuing citations, and testifying in court.

The position requires driving proficiency, animal handling skills, and ability to work within a law enforcement framework.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Address hostile situations involving citizens.

Skills

Communication skills

Report writing

Public safety

Interview techniques

Conflict management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

IDACS/NCIC

JUSTIS

Tiburon

Excel

Word

Job description

Overview

Agency Summary

Animal Care Services protects and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of pets and livestock in Marion County. The agency works with animal rescue organizations both locally and nationally.

Job Summary

In this position, the incumbent will respond to citizen requests for service and/or complaints regarding animals. The position requires the apprehension and impoundment of animals that are at large or being kept in violation of municipal code. The incumbent in this position will investigate animal bites and/or attacks, care and treatment violations, and dog fighting cases. This position must issue summons and citations to residents of Indianapolis/Marion County for violations of State law and the Indianapolis Municipal Code and will testify in a court of law on behalf of the Division of Animal Care and Control. Incumbents will also provide assistance to other branches of local law enforcement as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Ability to effectively address hostile situations involving citizens
• Ability to handle all types of animals, including stray animals, animals with aggressive temperaments, and vicious animals.
• Maintains daily records of each animal impounded (e.g., tags, location, description, etc.) to ensure that impounded animals are returned to rightful owner.
• Patrols assigned district for animals that are in violation of Indianapolis Municipal Code and state laws.
• Investigates all assigned animal related incidents/complaints and provides follow-up on reports of animal bites and attacks.
• Maintains confidentiality when necessary regarding animal investigations.
• Issues citations and court summons regarding violations of local or state law involving animals and provides testimony in court.
• Maintains a daily activity log, including the time assignments are received and completed, records out of service time, and any individual initiated incidents that arise in the field.
• Inspects pet shops, kennels, breeders, and special events for licensing and suitable conditions for animals.
• Euthanizes animals and when necessary prepares a specimen for the State Board of Health for rabies testing.
• Maintains assigned vehicle in a clean and sanitary condition and ensures proper working condition on a daily basis.
• Maintains and is responsible for uniform(s), weapons, tools, and equipment supplies (bolt cutters, tranquilizer, dog/cat stick, dog/cat cage, stretcher, darts, guns, etc) while following all job site safety regulations.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

High school diploma and /or GED. Successfully complete a pre-employment physical/agility test, drug screen, background check, and a written aptitude/psychological test. One (1) year prior law enforcement experience (i.e., law enforcement, traffic enforcement, security, public safety, corrections, and criminal justice) and/or one (1) year of animal-related experience as a Veterinarian Technician, Kennel Attendant, or in a related area. Must be at least 21 years old and possess a valid Indiana driver's license with a good driving record. Ability to drive a 1-ton van and pass driving and physical examination and possess ability and physical strength to handle, control, and load animals in excess of 50 pounds. Must be qualified to receive and maintain special police and deputy sheriff powers, including the successful completion of any necessary training. Must have or be able to attain NACA (National Animal Control Association) certification upon employment. Must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military. Must obtain and maintain IDACS (Indiana Data and Communication System) certification. Incumbent must possess the ability to learn and apply applicable criminal and civil laws and evidence processing techniques. Must be knowledgeable in community relations, law enforcement, investigative procedures, and interview techniques. Must be knowledgeable in law enforcement information systems (IDACS/NCIC, JUSTIS, Tiburon), city geographies, police report writing, police radio procedures, codes, and skill in operation of issued equipment and weapons (e.g., tranquilizer gun, chemical spray, etc.) Must have keen computer skills in all systems reflected above and including EXCEL, Word, etc. Must possess and demonstrate a high degree of organizational, planning, and problem solving skills. Must possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively whether verbal and/or in written form and effectively present court testimony. Possess the ability to hear, visual acuteness, and mobile use of hands, feet, etc.

Working Conditions

Position requires employee to spend 95% of time traveling within the city. Exposure to all types of weather conditions and contact with unpredictable hazards and dangers associated with animal control (e.g., wild animals, disease-infested animals, and dangerous locations) will be encountered. May be required to work overtime, which includes weekends and holidays.

All rates are weekly.

2026 Rate Sheet - To view our rate sheet, please copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:5e20097e-ebaa-4d21-bbda-dca9a0bec89b

Optional Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month)

Additional

25-29 $0.058

30-34 $0.083

35-39 $0.099

40-44 $0.132

45-49 $0.223

50-54 $0.363

55-59 $0.600

60-64 $0.795

65-69 $1.329

70 + $2.054

Important Perf Update

• For more information on eligibility options, refer to Proposal 21-288 https://bit.ly/3exq8yR
• All employees hired/rehired after to 1/1/2022 have a choice to select the PERF Hybrid plan (3% + Pension) or the INPRS My Choice: Retirement Savings plan (3% + 1% Contribution). The Hybrid plan consists of two components:

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employee's career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the member's age in years plus the year of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

• Employees hired/rehired by the City and County between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2021 will be automatically enrolled in the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan. This plan is an annuity savings account (ASA) only plan and does not have a pension component. Any service that an employee has in the My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan will not count toward the service time requirements for pension eligibility in the Hybrid Plan.

With the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan, the ASA is split up into two parts:

Part one - This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Part Two - This Consists Of An Additional Variable Rate Contribution Paid By The City Toward Your ASA. This Variable Rate Contribution Is Currently 1% Of Your Gross Wages. Vesting In The Value Of The Variable Rate Employer Contribution Will Vary By Length Of Participation. You Are

• 20 percent vested after 1 full year of participation
• 40 percent vested after 2 full years of participation
• 60 percent vested after 3 full years of participation
• 80 percent vested after 4 full years of participation
• 100 percent vested after 5 full years of participation
• All employees hired/rehired prior to 1/1/2017 are grandfathered into PERF Hybrid plan. The Hybrid plan consists of two components:

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employee's career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service..

• City Employees hired/rehired between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/21 that are members of the City AFSCME labor union can choose to enroll in either the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan or the PERF Hybrid plan. Both plans are described above. **/…**

The Indiana General Assembly has enacted a provision that allows public employees to make voluntary contributions in addition to the mandatory three percent (3%) contributions. Employees may contribute up to an additional ten- percent (10%) of their compensation per pay period to the annuity savings account. This means that the maximum level of contributions to the annuity savings account under this new provision is thirteen percent (13%) of an employee's compensation per pay period.

Employees who separate from the city within their first ten (10) years of employment need to contact INPRS - PERF regarding their ASA account.

Questions relating to PERF may be directed to INPRS - PERF at:

Indiana Public Retirement System

Public Employees' Retirement Fund

One North Capitol, Suite 001

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

[phone]

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