Animal Control Officer

City of Galveston; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Galveston is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce local animal control ordinances and state laws. You will handle and transport animals, investigate bites, and maintain accurate logs and reports.

The role requires a high school diploma, a Texas driver’s license, and certification as an Animal Control Officer within six months of hire. You will interact with the public and may work in various weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; AND one year of animal control experience is preferred.
• A valid Texas Driver’s License is required.
• Certification as an Animal Control Officer through TACA, NACA, DSHS or similar organization within six months of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Enforce city animal control ordinances, codes and laws.
• Handle vicious/unruly/feral animals; patrol streets and apprehend stray or dead animals; maintain logs of calls and activities.
• Respond to animal issues; impound and record animals; ensure welfare and care; determine if medical care is needed.
• Investigate and write reports on biting incidents; ensure quarantine requirements are followed; transport specimens to labs when needed.
• Receive and investigate citizen complaints regarding barking dogs, loose dogs, and animal nuisances.
• Issue citations or notices of violations; appear in court for cruelty cases or citations.
• Transport animals to the shelter; complete intake, processing and vaccination; assist with secure transport.
• Engage with public, maintain confidentiality, and perform other duties as required; support emergency services.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Diplomacy

Customer service

Teamwork

Legal knowledge

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma

Job description

An island community rich in history and opportunity, Galveston is the ideal place to live, work and raise a family!

Job Description SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, enforces City animal control ordinances, codes and laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• · Handles vicious/unruly/feral animals; patrols streets and apprehends stray or dead animals; maintains logs of calls and activities.
• · Responds to calls regarding animal issues; impounds and records all animals; insures the welfare and care of animals; determines if animals require medical care.
• · Provides animal containment, food, water and shelter until transport to the animal shelter.
• · Investigates and writes reports on all broken-skin bites as required by state laws; ensures animal quarantine periods are followed; ensures completion of quarantine requirements to include preparation and transportation of specimen in head to lab situations by decapitation of humanely euthanized biting animal when appropriate.
• · Receives and investigates citizen complaints regarding barking dogs, loose dogs, dogs digging and/or damaging personal property and animal nuisance feces on property.
• · Issues citations or notices of violations while enforcing City codes and state laws; appears in court regarding animal cruelty cases or citations.
• · Transports animals to the animal shelter; loads and unloads animals into and out of the City vehicle; completes impound process of animals at the shelter to include intake, processing, and vaccination.
• · Supports the relationship between the City of Galveston and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
• · Employees may at any time be required to work in order to provide for the safety and well-being of the general public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services, in the event of an emergency.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge:

• · City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• · Local and state laws, codes and ordinances regarding animal control.
• · Safe animal handling and capture practices and techniques.
• · Geography of the City.

Skill in:

• · Using initiative, discretion and judgment within established procedures guidelines and rules.
• · Defining problems; establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
• · Managing situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness and sound judgment.
• · Interpreting and applying City and state laws, codes and ordinances.
• · Providing efficient customer service.
• · Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, businesses, external public and private agencies and the general public.
• · Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• · Operating a personal computer and various software applications.
• · Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with all levels within the City.
• · Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or equivalent; AND one year of animal control experience is preferred. A valid Texas Driver’s License is required.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• · A valid Texas driver’s license is required.
• · Certification as an Animal Control Officer through TACA, NACA, DSHS or similar organization. (Within six months of hire date)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in an outdoor work environment. May be exposed to extreme weather conditions, potential physical harm, hazardous chemicals and infectious diseases. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 100 pounds.

Compensation Range The City of Galveston is an equal opportunity employer and will consider only the qualifications of the applicants.

The City does not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or physical/mental disability in employment or provision services.

Galveston Island is a coastal barrier island located along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Galveston's convenient coastal location along with its close proximity to Houston, has contributed to the city becoming the economic engine it is today - including being the employment center of Galveston County.

The City of Galveston has a population of approximately 50,000 and is home to key industries in medicine, education and maritime.