Animal Control Officer

Tohono O'odham Nation; Sells (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Tohono O'odham Nation is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce the Nation's Animal Control Code and protect the community. The role involves patrolling, investigating complaints about vicious or sick animals, seizing strays, and filing necessary reports.

The officer will testify in tribal court, issue warnings or citations, and provide humane care to animals while coordinating with shelters and veterinary staff as required.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences or Law Enforcement.
• Two years of work experience in animal care/management or related enforcement.
• Equivalent combination of training, education and experience demonstrating ability.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned area and investigates animal control violations.
• Remove strays and dangerous animals using restraints and equipment.
• Testifies in tribal court and files citations and offense reports; maintains records.
• Provides humane animal care and assists veterinarian with vaccinations and inspections.
• Performs kennel cleaning, equipment maintenance and public education on Animal Control Code.

Skills

Cultural knowledge

Report writing

Communication

Public interaction

Independent judgment

Arithmetics

Education

Associates Degree in Animal Sciences

Job description

The position is located in Tohono O'odham Nation.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, performs work of routine difficulty in enforcing the Tohono O'odham Nation's Code Title 17, Chapter 7 - Animal Control. Patrols and investigates animal control complaints involving vicious or inhumane animals domestic or wild.

The work is normally reviewed upon completion, with occasional spot checks while in process, to ensure accuracy, timeliness and conformance to established standards; major work tasks are addressed by instructions or procedures and unusual situations are referred to a supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Patrols assigned area in response to calls from the public or law enforcement concerning injured stray, sick or dangerous animals and investigates animal control violations.
• Remove strays and vicious domestic animals using a variety of equipment including various restraints, pulleys and/or nets to latch and secure animals for transport to animal shelter.
• Conducts investigations in response to public complaints of animal control violations, testify in tribal court to present evidence regarding violations of animal control code.
• Issues warnings and may issue citations to owners who violate the Animal Control Code; files citations and offense reports with courts; prepares reports and maintains records and documentation of animal control activities.
• Performs humane animal care duties such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, segregating and isolating animals when necessary, identifies diseased or injured animals and performs minor medical treatments as necessary, assists the veterinarian with vaccinations and inspections of animals.
• Cleans and disinfects kennel areas and provide vehicle and equipment maintenance daily.
• Utilize issued equipment which may consist of tranquilizer gun, pellet gun to capture and/or destroy animals in the field and euthanize animals.
• Responds to calls for removal and disposing of animal carcasses in accordance to Tohono O'odham Solid Waste Management Code.
• Provide public education on the Animal Control Code.
• Provide assistance to tribal, county, or state agencies in providing public information on rabies or other infectious animal diseases.
• Performs other job related duties as defined in the Tohono O'odham Nation's Code Title 17, Chapter 7 - Animal Control.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of Tohono O'odham Code Title 17, Chapter 7 – Animal Control governing animal control.
• Knowledge of humane animal control methods, techniques, care and handling of animals.
• Knowledge of the physical and behavioral characteristics of animals, breed identification, the symptoms of rabies, and other common animal diseases.
• Knowledge of safety rules in handling tranquilizer guns, pellet guns.
• Knowledge of safety requirements and practices of animal control.
• Skill in preparing written reports and verbal and written communication.
• Ability to obtain cooperation and compliance from members of the public; analyze a situation and adopt a course of action.
• Ability to exercise tact and independent judgment in dealing with the public.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports; present a positive public image.
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with co-workers, agencies, and organizations.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions interacting with the public.
• Ability to handle sick, injured, dangerous, or dead animals and decomposing carcasses in a safe and humane manner.
• Ability to observe the physical and behavioral characteristics of animals and recognize symptoms of rabies and other common animal diseases and euthanize dangerous and sick animals.
• Ability to make simple arithmetical calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and work independently.
• Ability to travel within the interior/exterior boundaries of the Tohono O'odham Nation and work days, evenings, nights and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associates Degree in Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences or Law Enforcement, and two years of work experience in animal care and management, regulatory or compliance enforcement of ordinances/ statutes and public laws inclusive of investigations, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and work experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background check is required to determine suitability for hire, including a 39-month Motor Vehicle Record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license, (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham Language and English as a condition of employment.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 70 or more pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly exposed to adverse outside weather conditions and adverse field conditions.

Career Ladder Requirements:

• Animal Control Officer (Career Ladder II)
  • High School Diploma or General Education Diploma and one year of work experience in animal care and management, regulatory or compliance enforcement of ordinances/statutes and public laws inclusive of investigations.
  • Must have successfully completed NACA ACO 1 and NACA ACO 2.
• Animal Control Officer (Career Ladder I)
  • High School Diploma or General Education Diploma
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must complete NACA ACO 1 and NACA ACO 2 certifications within one year of hire.