Animal Control Officer

Luling; Luling (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Luling is accepting applications for a full-time Animal Control Officer who will enforce local ordinances and state laws, care for animals, and maintain shelter records. The role requires independent judgment, professional interaction with the public, and coordination with Police Department personnel.

This position offers full City benefits and promotes ongoing certification and education to support humane animal care and community safety.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of applicable animal control ordinances, state laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, humane animal handling, restraint, capture, and trapping techniques.
• Knowledge of appropriate procedures for investigating animal bites, cruelty, abuse, neglect, and dangerous animal complaints.
• Knowledge of proper animal shelter sanitation, maintenance, feeding, and animal care practices.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain stray, aggressive, frightened, injured, or dangerous animals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Police Department personnel, City employees, veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, other animal control agencies, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Enforces City animal control ordinances and applicable state laws concerning the care, custody, control, and treatment of animals.
• Investigates animal bite cases and prepares required reports and documentation.
• Investigates complaints involving vicious, abused, neglected, abandoned, or otherwise dangerous animals.
• Investigates animal cruelty and neglect complaints in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
• Works with Police Department officers and detectives when investigations require additional law enforcement assistance or the filing of official complaints or charges.
• Provides humane care, feeding, handling, and monitoring of animals housed in the City's custody.

Job description

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The City of Luling is accepting applications for a full-time Animal Control Officer.

About the Role

The Animal Control Officer is a specialized service and maintenance position responsible for enforcing City animal control ordinances and applicable state laws within the City limits. The position is responsible for the humane care, custody, and control of animals, investigating animal-related complaints and bite cases, maintaining accurate records, and providing care and maintenance for animals housed at the City animal shelter.

The Animal Control Officer regularly interacts with members of the public and must exercise sound judgment, tact, courtesy, and professionalism when responding to complaints, enforcing regulations, and handling potentially difficult or confrontational situations. The position requires the ability to work independently and make mature, informed decisions involving the safety of the public, City employees, and animals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Enforces City animal control ordinances and applicable state laws concerning the care, custody, control, and treatment of animals.
• Investigates animal bite cases and prepares required reports and documentation.
• Investigates complaints involving vicious, abused, neglected, abandoned, or otherwise dangerous animals.
• Investigates animal cruelty and neglect complaints in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
• Works with Police Department officers and detectives when investigations require additional law enforcement assistance or the filing of official complaints or charges.
• Prepares accurate reports regarding animal bites, cruelty cases, abuse, neglect, impoundments, and other animal control activities.
• Enters animal control records and reports into the Department's RMS system as required.
• Maintains accurate records and statistics regarding seized, impounded, released, transferred, and otherwise handled animals.
• Maintains accurate records of animal registrations and works with local veterinarians regarding animal registration activities.
• Provides required weekly assignment statistics and other reports to the appropriate supervisor.
• Maintains required Animal Control Officer certification and completes all required continuing education.
• Maintains working relationships with the Texas Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Division and local and regional animal control agencies as necessary.
• Works cooperatively with local animal welfare and shelter organizations regarding shelter operations, animal care, and adoption programs.
• Provides humane care, feeding, handling, and monitoring of animals housed in the City's custody.
• Maintains the cleanliness, sanitation, safety, and general condition of City animal shelter facilities.
• Sets, monitors, and services animal traps in response to citizen requests and animal control needs.
• Captures, restrains, transports, and impounds animals using safe and humane methods.
• Picks up and disposes of deceased animals in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and City procedures.
• Responds to citizen complaints and requests involving stray, nuisance, vicious, injured, abused, neglected, or deceased animals.
• Maintains and properly operates assigned animal control vehicles, equipment, traps, cages, and other departmental property.
• Reports equipment, vehicle, shelter, or supply needs and makes recommendations regarding necessary purchases or improvements.
• Assists with developing, reviewing, and updating standard operating procedures for animal shelter and animal control operations.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable animal control ordinances, state laws, regulations, and animal handling techniques.
• Makes recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding animal control operations, procedures, equipment, and related issues.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned by the Chief of Police.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of applicable animal control ordinances, state laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, humane animal handling, restraint, capture, and trapping techniques.
• Knowledge of appropriate procedures for investigating animal bites, cruelty, abuse, neglect, and dangerous animal complaints.
• Knowledge of proper animal shelter sanitation, maintenance, feeding, and animal care practices.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain stray, aggressive, frightened, injured, or dangerous animals.
• Ability to set and safely operate animal traps and other animal control equipment.
• Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to potential health and safety hazards associated with animals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and professionally with members of the public, including individuals who may be upset or confrontational.
• Ability to exercise mature judgment and make sound decisions independently.
• Ability to investigate complaints, gather information, document findings, and prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, statistics, and documentation.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to enter information into RMS and other applicable systems.
• Ability to operate a two-way radio, computer, City vehicle, and other assigned equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Police Department personnel, City employees, veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, other animal control agencies, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current certification as an Animal Control Officer or ability to obtain required certification within the timeframe established by the City.
• Successful completion of a Basic Animal Control Officer course.
• Completion of required euthanasia and animal cruelty/abuse investigation training.
• Ability to maintain required Animal Control Officer certification and complete all continuing education requirements.
• Valid Texas Class C driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete any required background check, drug screening, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Experience in animal control, animal shelter operations, veterinary services, law enforcement, code enforcement, or a related field is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

The selected candidate must maintain all certifications required for the position, including:

• Basic Animal Control Officer certification
• Required continuing education for Animal Control Officers
• Animal cruelty/abuse investigation certification or required training

Equipment and Property Responsibilities

The Animal Control Officer is responsible for the proper care, maintenance, and operation of all City and Police Department equipment assigned for animal control operations, including vehicles, radios, traps, cages, protective equipment, and other specialized equipment.

The employee is also responsible for maintaining appropriate records related to vehicle maintenance, fuel, repairs, work orders, equipment, and shelter operations.

The position may be responsible for handling limited amounts of cash received from pet owners for animal impoundment, redemption, or related fees. All funds must be properly documented and handled in accordance with City procedures.

This is a full-time position with full City benefits.

The City of Luling is an Equal Opportunity Employer.