JOB TITLE: Assistant Animal Control Officer

SUPERVISOR: Animal Control Officer

DEPARTMENT: Animal Control

UNION:  United Steelworkers of America AFL-CIO, CLC Local 9517-09 (Supervisory Unit)

HOURS PER WEEK: 40 hours & rotating on-call

*The salary is based on a four (4) step table. Step 1 is $24.04 per hour and Step 4 is $26.50 per hour. 

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Assistant Animal Control Officer is responsible for the enforcement of State and local By-laws regarding animal control in the Town of Seekonk. This position functions as a part of the overall Animal Control team to ensure effective and efficient operations and wellbeing of animals in the care, custody, and control of the Town. The schedule can change; therefore, the employee must be flexible with schedule changes and short notice requests. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and overtime.

SUMMARY: The Assistant Animal Control Officer enforces and educates the public concerning the contents of statutes, regulations and ordinances and the health and safety concerns involving animals, wildlife and other vector control matters. The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining what actions will be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee weighs efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations. Consequences of errors or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, monetary loss, legal repercussions, labor/material costs, personal injury, jeopardize programs, and/or danger to public health or safety.

SUPERVISION: Works under the administrative direction of the Animal Control Officer and Town Administrator, and under the policy direction of the Board of Selectmen through the Town Administrator. Employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work either independently or in collaboration with the Animal Control Officer. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor.

JOB ENVIRONMENT: A great deal of work is carried out in a team environment and with a degree of independence. Administrative work is performed under typical office conditions, with frequent interruptions. Operates personal computer and standard office equipment such as copier, facsimile machine, etc. Employee may have access to confidential departmental records; therefore, discretion shall be used at all times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The nature of duties will frequently be performed outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. Field work includes exposure to wild, diseased or aggressive animals, which could entail animal bites and scratches. May be required to be on call. May be required to weigh competing and concurrent demands under deadline pressures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions or duties listed below 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.

• Manage and care for all animals impounded at the shelter or under our care which includes, but is not limited to, feral cats, dangerous dogs, exotic birds, and farm animals.
• Perform daily cleaning of kennels, cages and public areas, following proper disease control protocol to ensure a sterile environment.
• Conduct inspections of barns to ensure animals are in good health and free of disease; observes animal housing and ensures that adequate food and water are supplied.
• Conduct inspections of fowl for domestic purposes in a manner that is safe and in conformance with the standards for the keeping of fowl as set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (“MDAR”) and in a manner which does not create a nuisance or detriment to the health, safety or welfare of residents.
• Arrange for the adoption of suitable animals by a new owners.
• Respond to injured domestic animal reports, remove deceased and injured animals and/or transport animals to a veterinary clinic for treatment, as needed.
• Administers medications as directed.
• Assists Animal Control Officer with routine medical treatments including but not limited to vaccinations, microchipping, blood draws and basic wound care.
• Transport animals to and from veterinarian or rehab facility, as needed.
• Respond to animal complaints and assess individual situations using judgment and tact.
• Respond, upon request, in a mutual aid capacity to neighboring cities and towns.
• Respond to calls regarding injured animals and nuisance wildlife.
• Participate in conducting the annual rabies clinic, and other special events.
• Follow violations of law through the court process, when necessary.
• Assist the Animal Control Officer on calls when needed.
• Record vital information and observe animal’s behavior, habits or concerns, reporting any concerns to Animal Control Officers.
• Answer phone calls; maintain daily log of activities, records of animals cared for and vetted, and all other related records and reports during impoundment.
• Assist with bathing, grooming and nail trims.
• Perform similar or related work as required, or as situation dictates.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and up to one-year related experience. This position requires a Massachusetts Class D motor vehicle operator’s license.

Preferred Experience

One or more years of experience in a veterinary clinic, veterinary hospital, and/or animal shelter, control or other animal facility.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Knowledge of animal care, behavior, and handling. Knowledge of breeds and rabies. Must know how to handle situations without physically getting hurt or causing harm to animals.

Ability: Ability to make quick and sound judgements during complex situations involving the public and animals Ability to implement policies and procedures; interpret regulations, plan and prioritize work, and perform multiple tasks within a timely manner.

Skill: Written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and computer skills required. Skill in diplomacy and tact.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Physical Skills: Light physical effort required to perform duties under typical office conditions. Work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort daily, such as, lifting heavy objects, carrying objects, and stacking them or placing them in a vehicle or storage area. Agility and physical strength to move over rough terrain, high places, as well as regularly stand, walk, run, sit, talk, and listen for extended periods of time. Must also be able to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance and reach with hands and arms. May be required to lift/move up to 100 pounds or more.

Equipment needed to use and operate: medical supplies, traps, cages, catch poles, nets, gloves, cleaners, plastic bags and portable radio, dog leashes, chip scanner, dog ramp and injured animal stretcher.

Must be able to cope with death of animals, due to natural causes, injuries or euthanasia.

Motor Skills: Must be able to operate a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, moving objects, sorting of papers or operating a motor vehicle. Position may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination.

Visual Skills: Position requires routine reading of correspondence, documents for analytical purposes, and reports for understanding.

This 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.

Posted: 4/29/24