Animal Control Specialist

Guilford County Government; Guilford College (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford County Government is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce state and local animal control and humane treatment laws within the county. Responsibilities include catching and confining stray or diseased animals and investigating cruelty complaints.

Officers patrol areas with a county vehicle, transport animals to veterinarians, enforce dog vaccination and licensing rules, provide public information about confinement laws, and perform related duties.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of state and local animal confinement, animal cruelty, and rabies control.
• Ability to prepare accurate records and reports.
• Good communication and public interaction skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.

Responsibilities

• Investigates reports of animal bites and complaints about stray or diseased animals; uses specialized techniques and equipment to capture and confine animals; enforces laws requiring confinement of animals for observation.
• Patrols roads in area of responsibility using a specialty equipped truck to search for stray animals and to enforce County animal control laws; takes injured or sick animals to a veterinarian for treatment.
• Enforces regulations on the vaccination and licensing of dogs.
• Investigates and follows up on animal abuse cases such as poisoning, killing, and cruel treatment incidents.
• Provides information to the public concerning confinement laws, vaccination regulations, and the purposes of animal control program.
• Maintains assigned truck and specialized equipment such as catch poles, tranquilizer rifles or pistols, and traps.
• Performs general duty law enforcement work in emergency situations.
• Performs related work as required.

Skills

Animal confinement laws

Animal cruelty laws

Rabies signs

Record keeping

Interpersonal communication

Education

High School diploma

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Performs specialized work in the enforcement of ordinances and statutes related to the control of animals in the county.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class is responsible for enforcing state and local animal control and humane treatment laws. Work includes catching and confining stray, diseased and unlicensed animals, and investigating animal cruelty complaints. Tact and firmness are required in frequent contacts with complainants and animal owners. Independent judgment and initiative must be exercised within a framework of established policies and procedures. The employee is subject to hazards as some risk is involved in handling rabid or vicious animals. Work is performed under the general supervision and is evaluated by review of records and reports, in discussion, and by the public's perception of work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investigates reports of animal bites and complaints about stray or diseased animals; uses specialized techniques and equipment to capture and confine animals; enforces laws requiring confinement of animals for observation.
• Patrols roads in area of responsibility using specialty equipped truck to search for stray animals and to enforce County animal control laws; takes injured or sick animals to a veterinarian for treatment.
• Enforces regulations on the vaccination and licensing of dogs.
• Investigates and follows up on animal abuse cases such as poisoning, killing, and cruel treatment incidents.
• Provides information to the public concerning confinement laws, vaccination regulations, and the purposes of animal control program.
• Maintains assigned truck and specialized equipment such as catch poles, tranquilizer rifles or pistols, and traps.
• Performs general duty law enforcement work in emergency situations.
• Performs related work as required.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of state and local laws relating to animal confinement, animal cruelty, and rabies control.
• Working knowledge of human equipment and techniques for capturing and caring for animals.
• Working knowledge of the signs of rabies.
• Ability to prepare accurate records and reports.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma and a combination of one year of experience in animal care, control, confinement or in a labor intensive work field.

Special Requirements

Valid Driver License

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform heavy work exerting force up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Driving is Essential

Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.