ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER

City of Columbia, SC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Columbia, South Carolina seeks an Animal Control Officer to patrol city areas, investigate nuisances and abuse reports, and assist in shelter operations. You will capture and transport animals, issue citations, and coordinate with health authorities as needed.

The role involves field duties, record-keeping, training attendance, and potential euthanasia in certain cases, with emphasis on public safety and welfare.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED.
• Two years of relevant prior experience.
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.
• S.C. Humane Euthanasia certification.

Responsibilities

• Patrols areas of the City on foot or in assigned vehicles to detect violations of city/state animal control laws.
• Investigates complaints of animals creating nuisances and takes action.
• Investigates reports of animal abuse; files charges and provides court testimony.

Skills

Public safety

Communication

Problem solving

Driving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computers

Cameras

Animal control equipment

Chemical immobilization rifle

Job description

This position enforces City ordinances governing the care and keeping of domestic animals and livestock in an effort to maintain public safety and welfare; and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, lifting, climbing, pushing or raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals, violence; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

• Patrols areas of the City on foot or in assigned vehicles to detect violations of city and state laws and ordinances pertaining to animal control;
• Investigates complaints of dogs, cats or other animals creating nuisances and takes appropriate action;
• Investigates reports of animal abuse; files charges as appropriate; prepares cases for prosecution and provides court testimony;
• Responds to calls regarding stray, vicious and/or diseased animals; responds to calls regarding animal bites; performs preliminary investigations;
• Captures and transports stray, sick, injured or potentially rabid animals to the shelter for appropriate processing, care and treatment, and quarantine as necessary;
• Assists law enforcement personnel in situations involving animals as requested;
• Issues warnings and citations for violations of City ordinances governing the care and keeping of animals;
• Works with other Animal Control staff to ensure that the animals at the shelter are properly maintained and cared for; assists with animal shelter operations and maintenance as scheduled;
• Performs euthanasia of animals as necessary;
• Enforces pet licensing for dogs and cats that belong to City residents;
• Assesses, collects, receipts and records various fines and fees;
• Provides public education regarding animal control; explains ordinances related to the care and keeping of animals;
• Assists in coordinating department activities with the Department of Health and Environmental Control and other agencies as appropriate;
• Maintains assigned vehicles and equipment;
• Maintains records of daily work activities;
• Performs routine clerical duties as required, including but not limited to greeting and assisting customers, preparing forms, reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, copying and filing documents, etc.;
• Attends training, meetings, workshops, etc., as necessary to maintain job knowledge, skills and required certifications; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED;
• Two (2) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
• S.C. Humane Euthanasia certification.

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;

• Ability to persuade or influence others in favor of a service, point of view, or course of action; may enforce laws, rules, regulations or ordinances;
• Ability to handle or use machines requiring moderate instruction and experience such as computers, cameras, animal control equipment, chemical immobilization rifle, etc.;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers, customers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.