Description

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type 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.

• Patrols the roads and ways of the Town of West Springfield catching any stray/loose dogs. Return loose dogs to their owners (if known) or impounds until the owner claims the dog. Issues appropriate citations and fines for violations of state and local laws or regulations related to the care and control of animals. Prepares and files complaints with the District court for unpaid citations.
• Investigates complaints from the public regarding dog bite incidents and dangerous or aggressive dogs, loose dogs, cruelty or neglect of animals, nuisance or barking, dogs; responds to complaint according to the merit of the situation.
• Responds to injured domestic animal reports, transporting the animal to the appropriate veterinary facility and locating the owner of the injured animal when possible.
• Responds when needed to reports of injured wildlife and transports sick or injured wildlife when needed to an appropriate wildlife facility.
• Responds to reports of domestic or wild animals in distress/trapped in unusual places and rescues the animal, returning the animal to the owner, releasing back to the wild, or transporting the animal for further care. A person or organization licensed in removing nuisance animals must be notified in situations that necessitate trapping.
• Assists when livestock and exotic animals have escaped their property.
• Assists other agencies (eg. Police, Fire and Health) in rescuing, removing, controlling animals involved in emergency situations such as human medical emergencies, fires, accidents, and warrant searches.
• Prepares and presents dangerous or nuisance dog hearing paperwork for the Hearing Officer, recommending solution and sanctions for violations. Monitors and enforces the Hearing Authority’s orders.
• Works closely with Health Department on any suspected rabies exposure or other suspected infectious diseases.
• Work with residents who find stray/loose cats. Reunite with owner if possible. Refer to other agency when appropriate. Impound on space available basis.
• Enforces the state and local dog licensing law, contacting unlicensed dog owners and issuing fines when appropriate.
• Coordinates with other authorities on evacuation centers and pet friendly shelters. Informs the public about emergency planning for pets in West Springfield.
• Educates the public on responsible pet ownership and the laws regarding animals in West Springfield: educates children and parents about animal safety.
• Works in conjunction with the Town Clerk to maintain and update record database for dog licenses, and files of information for the department.
• In conjunction with other animal inspectors, performs regular inspection of facilities which house livestock checking for the general physical condition and cleanliness of the animals and the cleanliness, light, ventilation and water supply of the animals
• Provides educational information to the public regarding the proper way to raise and treat animals, as well as what to do about wild animals; writes and publishes informational articles, and organizes animal care clinics such as for rabies control
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed, or as a situation dictates.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Position requires a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years of experience in animal care and control: or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Employee must obtain rabies vaccination.
Special Requirements: Employee must obtain ACO certification, NIMS/ICS certification and training for disaster response. Firearms Identification Card (FID) in order to carry OC spray, and have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge: State and local laws and by-laws pertaining to animal control, animal husbandry practices and procedures, animal first aid, geographical layout of the Town, rabies control, and quarantine control.
Abilities: Ability to interact effectively and appropriately with the public and other personnel, create accurate and detailed reports of findings, deal with irate customers, and maintain confidential information.
Skills: Care and control of animals, making observations and recording information.
Physical and Mental 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 Demands: Work requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting heavy objects and carrying them (up to 100 lbs.). There may be need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials. Usually, the work will require extended physical effort over a significant portion of the work day.
Motor Skills: Position requires minimal motor skills for activities such as: operating a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, keyboarding, filing, moving objects, sorting of papers or operating a motor vehicle.
Visual Demands: Position requires routine reading of documents, blueprints, and reports for understanding, color vision needed.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work an average of __ hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.