Animal Control Officer

City of Springdale; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Springdale is seeking a dedicated Animal Control Officer to enforce municipal animal ordinances, educate the public on welfare, and place homeless animals in suitable homes. The role involves humane handling, field duties, and occasional euthanasia as necessary to ensure public safety.

You will respond to emergencies, conduct cruelty investigations, and represent the city in court when required, maintaining safety and professionalism at all times.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, plus specialized training or experience.
• Valid Arkansas Driver's License.
• Ability to use PC and field equipment.
• Ability to work under adverse conditions and make quick decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Enforce state and local animal laws and issue citations when needed.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Euthanasia of animals when necessary and track controlled substances usage.
• Trap and impound dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife.
• Investigate cruelty and bite cases and testify in court when required.
• Educate youth and the public through programs and events.
• Respond to emergencies involving animals and provide first aid as needed.
• Transport animals and supplies and handle after-hours calls.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Observation

Judgment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Catchpole

Humane traps

Nets

Leads

Stretchers

Bite gloves

Cat graspers

Snake tongs

Animal transport carrier

Job description

Description

The incumbent is responsible for enforcing the City ordinances pertaining to animals, protecting both animals and the general public. Educates the public in animal welfare and finds suitable homes for homeless animals, performs euthanasia as necessary. This position is responsible to perform job duties in an accurate manner in order to protect the health and safety of the citizens and visitors of the City of Springdale.

Safety/Security Sensitive Designation: This position is classified as safety/security sensitive under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment and is therefore subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Job Duties

• Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers; maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees (especially members of their own team), and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive.
• Enforce state and local laws, issue citations pertaining to animals to violators and handle hostile individuals as needed.
• Euthanasia - handle animal safely, euthanize humanely and track the use of controlled substances. Euthanize multiple animals per session.
• Trap and impound loose animals to include dogs and cats as well as livestock and wildlife.
• Investigate animal cruelty and bite cases, testify in municipal and district court as necessary.
• Prepare and present educational programs for youth groups, schools and civic organizations.
• Interact with the public at community events.
• Respond to emergency calls involving animal attacks or injured animals. Administer first aid to injured animals.
• Respond to after hour's emergency calls.
• Assist the public in a friendly and professional manner.
• Transport animals and supplies.
• Pick up deceased animals, struck by vehicles or in neighborhoods.
• Load and operate incinerator.
• Perform chemical capture utilizing dart rifle as required.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus specialized training and 7-11 months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess a valid Arkansas Driver's License.
• Must be proficient in the use of a personal computer, catchpole, humane traps, nets, leads, stretchers, bite gloves, cat graspers, snake tongs, animal transport carrier and other related equipment.
• Ability to utilize both internal and external resources to obtain information necessary to carry out routine assignments and special projects.
• Must have ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and staff.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively both orally and written often under adverse conditions
• Possess good judgment, good powers of observation and memory.
• Ability to interpret a variety of city, county, state and federal laws making decisions and taking action quickly.

Supplemental Information

Must be able to pass FBI criminal background fingerprint check and have the ability to comply with state and federal requirements for criminal justice information security standards and obtain necessary certifications.