Animal Control Officer

Gfoat; Town of Texas (WI); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform and City vehicle provided

Job summary

The City of Taft is seeking a dependable Animal Control Officer to protect public health and safety, enforce city animal ordinances and applicable Texas law, and provide humane care for animals at the City shelter. This field and facility role serves a small community in Texas.

Responsibilities include responding to animal calls, capturing and transporting animals, enforcing laws, quarantining bite cases, and supporting adoptions and public education.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Texas driver license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain DSHS ACO certification within 12 months of hire.
• Ability to obtain DSHS Certified Euthanasia Technician certification within 12 months if required.
• Ability to work with dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife under stress.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more and work outdoors in heat, cold, and rain.
• Must pass background check, driving record review, and pre-employment drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas and respond to calls involving stray, injured, or aggressive animals.
• Capture, restrain, transport, and impound animals using approved equipment and methods.
• Investigate bites, cruelty, neglect, and ordinance violations; complete reports.
• Enforce city animal ordinances and state laws on rabies control and licensing.
• Quarantine bite animals and coordinate with rabies control and health authorities.
• Care for animals in the city shelter; feed, clean kennels, monitor health.
• Assist with adoptions, reclaim, rescue placement, and public education.
• Maintain records, logs, photos, and evidence; testify in municipal court when needed.
• Operate city vehicles and animal-handling equipment; work with police and other departments.
• Perform other duties including after-hours or weekend call-outs.

Skills

Fieldwork

Animal handling

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Summary

The City of Taft is seeking a dependable Animal Control Officer to protect public health and safety, enforce city animal ordinances and applicable Texas law, and provide humane care for animals at the City shelter. This is a field and facility position serving a small community of about 3,000 residents in San Patricio County.

Essential duties

• Patrol assigned areas and respond to calls involving stray, injured, aggressive, confined, or deceased animals
• Capture, restrain, transport, and impound animals using approved equipment and methods
• Investigate animal bites, cruelty, neglect, and ordinance complaints; complete reports and issue warnings or citations
• Enforce City of Taft animal ordinances and state laws on rabies control, licensing, dangerous animals, and animal welfare
• Quarantine bite animals as required and work with local rabies control and health authorities
• Care for animals in the City shelter: feeding, cleaning kennels, monitoring health, and maintaining a sanitary facility
• Assist with adoptions, reclaims, foster/rescue placement, and public education on responsible pet ownership
• Remove deceased animals from public rights-of-way and private property as assigned
• Maintain accurate records, logs, photos, and evidence; testify in municipal court when needed
• Operate and maintain City vehicles, radios, traps, and animal-handling equipment
• Work with Taft Police Department, dispatch, Public Works, and partner agencies
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including after-hours or weekend call-out as scheduled

Minimum qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Texas driver license (or obtain within 90 days) with an acceptable driving record
• Ability to obtain Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Basic Animal Control Officer certification within 12 months of hire (Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 829)
• Ability to obtain DSHS Certified Euthanasia Technician certification within 12 months if required by the City
• Ability to work with dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife in stressful conditions
• Ability to lift and move animals and equipment (typically 50 pounds or more) and work outdoors in heat, cold, and rain
• Must pass background check, driving record review, and pre-employment drug screen

Preferred qualifications

• Prior animal control, shelter, veterinary clinic, livestock, or code enforcement experience
• Current DSHS ACO and/or euthanasia certification
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience with bite investigations, court testimony, or rescue/foster networks

Working conditions

Field and kennel work; exposure to animals that may bite, scratch, or carry disease; exposure to cleaning chemicals, weather, and deceased animals. May include evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotation. Uniform and City vehicle provided.

Compensation and benefits

• Salary: commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), paid leave, holidays, and insurance as offered to full-time City employees.