Animal Services Officer

City-of-Deniso; Denison (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City-of-Deniso is seeking an Animal Control Officer to perform routine daily functions enforcing animal control laws and operating the city shelter. You will patrol for violations, respond to public complaints, impound and release animals, and handle after-hours on-call duties.

The role requires strong record-keeping, clear communication, and the ability to work under pressure while ensuring animal vaccinations remain up to date.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of city policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate records of activities.
• Ability to interpret local, state, and federal regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills for high-volume work.

Responsibilities

• Patrols in City vehicle to detect animal control violations.
• Responds to complaints and impounds animals as needed.
• Sets traps for animal capture when required.
• Impounds and releases animals per procedures.
• Disposes of dead animals ethically.
• Investigates animal bite reports for rabies risk.
• Issues citations for ordinance violations.
• Remains on call after hours as required.
• Completes routine narrative and statistical reports.
• Ensures rabies vaccinations are current.
• Maintains records in MyGov software for tracking.

Skills

Patrolling in city vehicle

Record keeping

Communication clarity

Time management

Adaptability

Field operation

Policy interpretation

Report generation

English prose

Discretion under pressure

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

MyGov software

Job description

Performs work of routine daily functions of enforcing animal control laws and regulations and operating an animal control shelter.

1. Patrols in City vehicle to detect stray, loose, unlicensed, sick, injured and dead animals and to identify violations of animal control ordinances.
2. Responds to complaints and calls for assistance from the general public by locating and impounding stray, loose, unlicensed, sick, injured and dead animals.
3. Sets traps when required to capture animals.
4. Impounds and releases animals from the shelter in accordance with prescribed procedures.
5. Disposes of dead animals.
6. Investigates reports of animal bites to detect possibility of rabies or other health problems.
7. Issues citations for violations of animal control ordinances.
8. Destroys animals in the field, as necessary.
9. Completes simple narrative and statistical reports of standard formats pertaining to animal services. Enters all contacts into MyGov software for tracking.
10. Ensures rabies vaccinations of animals are current.
11. Remains on call after hours as required.
12. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the City.
2. Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
3. Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
4. Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
5. Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
6. Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
7. Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
8. Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
9. Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
10. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
11. Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
12. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
13. Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
14. Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
15. Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
16. Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
17. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
18. Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of Freedom of Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
19. Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have high school diploma/GED.
• Valid driver's license required at time of placement.
• Must have driving record sufficient for coverage by City’s auto liability carrier.
• Must have or obtain Animal Control license within one (1) year from date of hire.

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Employee Services.

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work requires operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surrounding and activities. This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to animal attacks and infectious diseases carried by animals.
• Work is primarily in the field.