Animal Welfare Officer

ERDA; Enid (OK); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

ERDA seeks an Animal Control Officer to safeguard public welfare by managing stray and at‑risk animals. You will respond to calls, capture and care for animals, inspect licenses, and document findings for city records.

The role involves field operations, occasional court testimony, and coordination with police. Requires basic computer skills, effective communication, and adherence to safety policies in Enid, OK.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; six months related experience or training.
• Oklahoma Animal Control Academy within 24 months and 16 hours CE annually.

Responsibilities

• Capture and remove stray or abused animals.
• Euthanize rabid or severely injured animals when necessary.
• Examine animal licenses and inspect housing establishments for compliance.
• Investigate animal cruelty reports and document findings.

Skills

Animal handling

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Public relations

Typing

Team support

Office equipment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Oklahoma Animal Control Academy (within 24 months)

Tools

Animal snare

Snake tongs

Tranquilizer gun

Shotgun

Job description

Description

POSITION REPORTS TO: Animal Control Manager
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None.
BLS COMPARABLE: 33.9011, Animal Control Workers, 39.2021, Nonfarm Animal Caretakers
LEADERSHIP: Provides co-worker leadership to others through motivation, team building, and providing feedback.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be 21 years of age.
• No felony convictions.
• Subject to post offer, pre-employment drug and screen.
• Subject to post offer, pre-employment physical examination/medical history check.
• Subject to a pre-employment criminal background check and pre-employment polygraph.
• As a position affecting the safety of others, the employee will be required to comply with all provisions of City of Enid’s substance abuse policy, including random drug and alcohol testing.
• Possession of a valid Oklahoma driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Subject to signing a confidentiality agreement.

POSITION PURPOSE

Safeguard the public by limiting unwanted animal population and promoting responsible pet ownership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
• Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals. Remove deceased animals from the shelter premises.
• Examine animal licenses and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.
• Examine animals for injuries, disease, or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
• Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
• Operate city vehicle to respond to calls and transport animals and equipment.
• Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal‑related offenses or contact police to report violations and request arrests.
• Provide court testimony as needed.
• Remove captured animals from animal‑control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
• Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
• Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
• Properly collect monies due to the city for services associated with impoundment.
• Answer phone inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations and pet adoption.
• Adjust controls to regulate specified temperature and humidity of animal quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.
• Clean, organize, and disinfect animal quarters such as pens, cages, and yards, and animal equipment such as leashes and feeding containers.
• Maintain the facilities, including the office, grounds, vehicles, and equipment.
• Provide assistance to other departments as needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• The Animal Control division runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Animal quarters are clean, organized, and disinfected.
• Animals are treated humanely and supplied with water, food, and personal care.
• Pet adoption numbers are maximized.
• Records and reports are filed and easily retrieved.Facilities and equipment are clean and well maintained.
• Effective working relations exist with City personnel.
• New employees are well trained and assisted. Management is appropriately informed.
• Employee understands and adheres to applicable safety policies.
• The City’s professional reputation is maintained.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and six (6) months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES

Oklahoma Animal Control Academy (within 24 months)

Maintain 16 hours of Continuing Education after completing Academy (per year).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Specialized

Knowledge of city streets, animal care, and animal capture techniques.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to use an animal snare, snake tongs, traps, tranquilizer gun, and shot gun.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Accurate and attentive to detail.
• Good communications and public relations abilities.
• Basic typing and computer application skills.
• Ability to assist and support others.
• Able to operate telephone, PC, copier, and other basic business machines.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

FINGER DEXTERITY

Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items, work with fingers, and perceive attributes of objects and materials.

VISUAL ABILITIES

Normal vision, with or without corrective lenses.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH

PDC Level: Heavy
Employee lifts/carries 50 lbs. occasionally (less than 33% of the time or 1-100 times per day). Maximum pushing and pulling force of 100lbs. Ability to ascend/descend 21" step.

LANGUAGE/COMPREHENSION

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively customers.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.

MATH MATHEMATICS ABILITY

Ability to perform very basic math skills including adding and subtracting two digit numbers, multiplying and dividing with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of money and weight or distance measurement.

WORK SCHEDULE/HOURS

Regular – 8 hour shift, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Overtime and on call as required.
Other–Variable lunch period and breaks in coordination with other office personnel.

WORK CONDITIONS

Outdoors exposed to changing weather conditions (for example, sun, wind, snow, ice, rain, etc.)

NOISE LEVEL

Loud. Hearing protection as required.

OTHER WORK CONDITIONS

• Exposure to biting animals.
• Exposure to poison ivy.
• Exposure to bio-chemicals.

ADVANCEMENT CRITERIA

INTERMEDIATE

4-6 years related work experience.

• Completion of additional coursework.
• Ability to fill in for Animal Control Manager for short periods.
• Basic Word and Excel skills.
• Knowledge of safety as applies to job.
• Valid CPR certification.

ADVANCED

7+ years related work experience.

• Associate's degree or equivalent in related field.
• Ability to fill in for Animal Control Manager for extended periods.
• Intermediate Word and Excel skills.
• Conversational Spanish.
• Euthanasia Technician Certification

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

I have reviewed this job description and I can perform the essential functions of this position, with or without, reasonable accommodations. I have also received or have been offered a copy of this job description.

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