Animal Control Officer

City of Livonia, MI; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Livonia in Michigan is seeking an Animal Control Officer to provide essential animal control services for residents and businesses. The role involves handling various animal-related incidents, enforcing laws, issuing citations, and maintaining records.

The candidate may be required to work overtime and be on call outside normal hours. The position requires a High School diploma or GED, valid driver's license, and the ability to lift up to 80 lbs.

Qualifications

• Be a US citizen or resident alien with right to work in the United States.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Bachelor's degree (preferred) in Animal Behavior, Animal Science, Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Animal Law, or closely related field.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be able to pursue, restrain, and lift animals up to 80 lbs.
• Meet Michigan MDARD Animal Control Officer requirements within 180 days of hire.
• Complete humane euthanasia and animal field sedation certification within 180 days of hire.
• Experience in animal control, regulatory inspection, veterinary or shelter medicine, animal care, or professional animal handling/training.
• Have or be able to receive rabies vaccination.

Responsibilities

• Respond to requests for service and complaints about animals at large, bites, cruelty, or nuisances.
• Enforce city ordinances and state law related to animal control and public health.
• Issue citations, prepare reports, conduct investigations, testify in court, and impound animals.
• Patrol neighborhoods, businesses, and school yards for animal-related concerns.
• Inspect kennels, pet stores, and dangerous dog locations; issue licenses as required.
• Handle and secure sick, injured, diseased, or aggressive animals across species.
• Use work management software to maintain records for the section.
• Participate in outreach activities and public events as needed.
• Complete special projects or assignments; perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Law enforcement principles

Animal restraint and care

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred) in Animal Behavior/Animal Science/Criminal Justice/Public Safety/Animal Law

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Patrol vehicle

Animal capture equipment

Police radio

First aid equipment

Personal computer

Job description

$61,984.00 - $69,076.80 Annually

• Starting Salary: $61,984.00
• After Six Months of Successful Employment: $65,832.00
• After One Year of Successful Employment: $67,163.20
• Maximum salary is achieved after three successful years of employment.

NOTE: Annual salary adjustments may also occur, based on collective bargaining agreements.

The Animal Control Officer, under the direction of the Director of Public Works, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Superintendent of Public Works, is responsible for providing animal control services for residents and businesses. This employee may have overtime work, as needed, and is subject to call-in hours outside of normal working hours.

Illustrative Examples of Work:

• Responds to requests for service and complaints about issues such as animals at large, abandoned animals, vicious animals, barking dogs, animal bites, cruelty complaints, sick or injured animals, public nuisances, etc.
• Enforces City ordinance and State law as it relates to animal control and public health
• Issues citations, prepares reports, conducts investigations, testifies in court, and impounds animals, as required
• Patrols neighborhoods, businesses, and school yards for animal-related concerns
• Conducts inspections of kennels, pet stores, and dangerous dog locations under City ordinance 6.01.430, and issues required licenses.
• Professionally handles and secures sick, injured, diseased, or aggressive animals across species, including domestic pets, livestock, wildlife, exotics, and reptiles.
• Utilizes work management software to maintain records related to the operation of the section
• Promotes positive community relationships and may be asked to participate in outreach activities and public events
• Completes special projects or assignments, as required
• Various related duties, as assigned

By the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; and
2. Have a high school diploma or valid equivalency certificate; and
3. Have a bachelor's degree, or higher, with emphasis in Animal Behavior, Animal Studies, Animal Science, Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Animal Law, or closely related field preferred; and
4. Possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record; and
5. Must be able to pursue, restrain, and lift animals up to 80 lbs.; and
6. Have or be able to meet the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal Control Officer requirements, and training in Michigan within 180 days of hire; and
7. Must be able to successfully complete, and maintain, humane euthanasia, and animal field sedation certification within 180 days of hire; and
8. Have experience in one, or more, of the following areas:
   • Work as an Animal Control Officer for a township, municipality, or county
   • Regulatory inspection of animal care facilities;
   • Veterinary or shelter medicine;
   • Direct responsibility for the care and upkeep of animals;
   • Professional animal handling or training through an accredited organization; and
9. Have or be able to receive the rabies vaccination.

PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS

Interview - 100%

NOTE: In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds ten, an evaluation will be made, and the ten applicants with the most appropriate and responsible combination of experience and training will be invited to the interview. Candidates must pass the interview in order to be placed on the eligible list.

Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Animal restraint and care techniques

Skill in:

• Operating the following tools and equipment: patrol vehicle, animal capture equipment, police radio, side handle baton, handcuffs, pager, first aid equipment, and personal computer

Ability to:

• Learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, and the public
• Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Learn the City's geography

NOTE: At the time of appointment, applicants are required to pass a pre-employment medical examination conducted by a physician authorized by the City of Livonia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list to fill current, future, regular, and/or temporary vacancies.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Appointees must satisfactorily complete a six-month probationary period before the appointment will be considered regular.