Animal Control Officer

Supervised By: Sheriff’s Office

Supervises: Oversees trustees assisting at the facility

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Office, enforces the state laws and local ordinances dealing with animal control and issues citations for violations. Responds to citizen complaints regarding animals and patrols the county to pick-up stray animals and respond to other animal related concerns.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Responds to and investigates complaints related to stray animals, barking dogs, animal bites, dead or injured animals, livestock killings and other animal related complaints. Takes actions required to investigate, document and resolve situations. Works closely with owners and neighbors in the attempted resolution of animal related problems.

2. Investigates suspected cases of animal abuse, neglect or hoarding, including processing and documenting the condition of the animals, interviewing owners and witnesses, and determining whether charges should be pursued. Completes case reports for the Prosecutor’s Office and testifies in court as necessary.

3. Patrols the county and enforces State of Michigan animal laws. Picks up stray animals. Uses catch poles, traps and tranquilizer guns to capture and impound animals. May use firearms as warranted to destroy injured or dangerous animals.

4. Captures and impounds animals for quarantine that have bitten individuals. Removes animal’s heads for rabies examination as required by the Department of Public Health. Transports specimens to the State Health Laboratory.

5. Compiles and submits the Shelter Activity Report as required by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Maintains shelter compliance with all Michigan Department And Rural Development (MDARD) standard and regulations. Schedules annual shelter inspection with MDARD.

6. Responsible for the renewal of the shelter license and board of pharmacy through the state, as well as the controlled substance registration certificate through the federal government.

7. Documents results of investigations on animal bites, livestock killings and related services performed. Compiles the Shelter Activity Report as required by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

8. Performs behavioral and medical assessments of animals brought to the facility. Transports animals in need of medical care to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment as needed.

9. Manages the daily operations of the shelter. Provides information to the public on animal control laws and responds to questions concerning animal control issues. Transports unclaimed animals to the Capital Area Humane Society to be rescued. Maintains electronic and manual records of all animals housed in the facility. Compiles monthly status reports on all aspects of shelter operations.

10. Receipts money for all services provided by animal control. Maintains accounts of monies received. Prepares a monthly transmittal of received monies that is turned over to the Accounting Clerk.

11. Provides information to the public on animal control laws and responds to questions concerning animal control issues.

12. Inspects local county kennels and issues required licenses.

13. Maintains all aspects of the feeding and care of animals at the shelter. Humanely euthanizes animals as necessary. Supervises inmate trustees assigned to the animal shelter. Provides grooming and bathing for animals that are in need. And administers medications; Documents animal condition for potential criminal charges.

14. Maintains the cleanliness of the animal control shelter, including cleaning and disinfecting kennels. Ensures that animal control vehicles are maintained in good running order and that vehicles are clean and sanitized. Orders and picks up all necessary supplies. Schedules care for animals at the shelter on days the shelter is closed.

15. Responsible for the renewal of the shelter license and board of pharmacy through the state, as well as the controlled substance registration certificate through the federal government.

16. Provides on-call emergency services during off duty hours.

17. Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

· High school diploma or equivalent. Required to successfully complete the following: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development training program and Euthanasia Technician and to attain certifications within 12 months of hire date.

· The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.

· CPR and First Aid Certification.

· Valid Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License and ability to operate vehicle to patrol the county and investigate complaints.

· Ability to subdue, capture and transport animals.

· Walks over uneven terrain to conduct investigation and collect animals.

· Ability to collect and transport dead animals.

· Ability to clean and disinfect the kennel.

· Ability to lift heavy animals.

· Ability to hold and control potentially vicious animals.

Preferred abilities include the following:

· Skill in assembling and analyzing data and preparing comprehensive and accurate reports.

· Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing.

· Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with county employees, contractors to the county, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.

· Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.

· Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, database entry and the ability to learn new software programs applicable to the position.

· Skill in the use of photographic, audio and video equipment.

Required training includes the following:

· Ability to successfully complete training of the principles and practices of the care and handling of friendly or aggressive animals and the Michigan criminal and civil court system as it relates to animal abuse, cruelty and neglect within six months from hire date.

· Ability to successfully complete training of animal behavior, humane capture of animals, animal control ordinances in the County, identifying animals that are victim to abuse, cruelty, and neglect, interviewing witnesses and obtaining information, performing euthanasia, and applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations within six months from hire date.

· Ability to successfully complete training in the use of a variety of animal control equipment, including, but not limited to tranquilizer guns, bite sticks, batons, pepper spray, nets, traps and other equipment as necessary within six months from hire date.

· Works a routine rotation for weekends and holidays in addition to the regular work week. Also, ability to work a non-traditional work week and respond to emergencies or service needs on a 24-hour basis.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both in an office and in the field. While in the office, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes.

While performing the field duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, run and move freely at any time. The employee must frequently lift and/or push/pull or move objects of up to 75 pounds without assistance and restrain and/or control aggressive animals. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight. The employee will work outside in varying weather conditions. The employee is subject to work-related calls after normal working hours.

The noise level in the work environment may be quiet to very loud. Though applicable safety procedures are documented and utilized, the incumbent may be exposed to animal bites and unsanitary or unhygienic materials, individuals and situations in the course of performing required duties. The employee may be exposed to hazmat situations when removing animals from a household.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $44,200.00 - $53,040.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $44,200 - $53,040