Animal Control/Code Enforcement Officer

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Code Enforcement Manager, investigates, addresses, and enforces all City Ordinances and State Laws concerning solid waste, building regulations as they apply to substandard buildings, junked vehicles, animals, and other health code violations. Coordinates with the Kerr County Animal Services for cases involving animals. Conducts physical inspections; identifies and responds to citizen complaints of code violations. Other duties may include public education activities, assisting the general public, providing administrative support, and interfacing with other City employees and citizens. Handles special projects as assigned. Maintains detailed case records, documentation, and files. This position does not provide supervision to other employees.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent

• Patrols within the city limits for stray, injured, diseased or vicious animals and responds to citizen concerns regarding the same. Coordinate with Kerr County Animal Services as needed.
• Responds to emergencies such as cruelty to animal concerns, animal bite and scratch cases (including quarantine), venomous or dangerous animals, etc., within the city limits, and investigates citizen concerns for the same. Coordinate with Kerr County Animal Services as needed.
• Enforces City codes and ordinances for animals, signs, zoning, property maintenance, and nuisances by conducting inspections, investigating violations, taking photographs, removing illegal signs, issuing notices and citations and conducting follow-up investigations.
• Responds to complaints about code violations by notifying and informing establishments of violations to City ordinances, conducting inspections, taking photographs, issuing citations, and testifying in court.
• Assists the general public by responding to inquiries and providing information on City Ordinances. Attends neighborhood meetings and conducts public education activities.
• Provides various forms of administrative service by writing notices and citations, generating reports, maintaining files and records, preparing memos and correspondence, inputting case information into a database, researching legal information and reviewing incoming mail.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience, and Abilities:

Education Certification and Experience Required:

• Possession of a high school diploma or GED and one year of increasingly responsible experience related to code enforcement activities preferred.
• Possession of a valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.
• Texas Department of Health Certified Animal Control Officer certification or the ability to obtain certifications within six (6) months of hire date (as required by law).
• Certification as a Code Enforcement Officer by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire date.

• Knowledge of City codes and regulations.
• Knowledge of safe and efficient work practices relating to code enforcement activities.
• Knowledge of street locations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to inspect and identify violations of applicable codes.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively meet and interact with the public and to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management and the general public
• Ability to respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests in a fair, tactful, and firm manner.
• Skill in operating personal computer and utilizing Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other City or Department related software.
• Ability to effectively manage priorities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

• Computer in a network environment, hand held tablet (IPad), telephone, copier, scanner, calculator, testing equipment, cell phone, vehicle, etc.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Duties are generally performed citywide in both outdoor and indoor settings. This is medium to heavy work requiring the exertion of up to eighty (80) pounds of force occasionally, up to twenty (20) pounds of force frequently, and lifting to a height of 3-5 feet. Work requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, pushing and pulling. This position is subject to outside environmental conditions, including extreme cold, extreme heat, hazards, and atmospheric conditions.

At the City of Kerrville, we are proud to offer each eligible employee a competitive total compensation package. To maintain our competitiveness, market analysis’ are completed regularly to compare employee pay with market rates and make adjustments when needed and when our budget allows.

Full time employees are eligible for the following employee benefits:

• Medical: With budget approval, the City contributes 100% of the cost for employee only coverage and contributes a portion of the cost of dependent coverage.
• Dental: With budget approval, the City contributes 100% of the cost for employee only coverage and contributes a portion of the cost of dependent coverage.
• Vision: The employee pays 100% of the cost.
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage: With budget approval, this is a City paid benefit for employee only coverage. Terms apply.
• Long Term Disability Insurance: With budget approval, this is a City paid benefit for employee only coverage. Terms apply.
• Longevity: With budget approval, employees earn $4.00 per month for each complete full month of continuous service. The employee must complete one full year of employment to be eligible. Maximum benefit is $1,200 annually.
• Voluntary Life Insurance: The employee may elect up to five times their base annual salary with a maximum of $250,000. Coverage for spouse and dependent children is also available for purchase. Terms apply.
• Voluntary AD&D: The employee may elect up to ten times their base annual salary with a maximum of $500,000. Terms apply.
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability: The employee may elect up to 60% of their base weekly salary with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,000. Terms apply.
• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): This mandatory retirement plan requires each employee to contribute 7% of their gross salary to the plan and the City matches contributions 2 to 1. An employee becomes eligible to retire with 20 years of service or with five years of service at a minimum of age 60.
• Optional Deferred Compensation: The employee may contribute to a 457 plan through Mission Square Retirement.
• Social Security: Current rate is 6.2% for both employee and employer
• Medicare: Current rate is 1.45% for both employee and employer.
• Vacation – 12 days annually during first five years of employment (accrued monthly)
• Sick Leave – 12 days per calendar year (accrued monthly)
• Holidays – 14 holidays plus two floating day