Animal Services Officer

Animal Control Officer

Enforces City animal control ordinances and applicable State regulations. Controls and/or impounds all types of animals, both domesticated and wild. Performs humane euthanasia of animals. Disposes of deceased animals. Performs animal care and animal shelter tasks. Prepares and documents written logs, forms, statements, reports and records. Conducts public health and safety related surveillance and control activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Positions at this level perform the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey and/or Senior level. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning assigned job tasks within the scope of established policies, procedures, and pertinent regulations. May receive technical and/or functional supervision from higher levels.

Essential Functions:

• Operates an animal control vehicle to conduct patrols, responds to calls for service or assistance, and completes work-related errands. Uses two-way radio to communicate in field.
• Enforces animal services ordinances and applicable State regulations, implements appropriate enforcement actions including issuing warnings and citations for observed animal control ordinance violations. Testifies in court as required.
• Captures, controls, and/or impounds animals of all varieties including stray animals, dangerous animals, insects, unwanted animals, wildlife, venomous snakes, deceased animals, animals in vehicles, sick/injured animals, and agricultural animals. Animals may be impounded under a wide range of environmental conditions and circumstances which may be uncomfortable, physically demanding, or stressful.
• Performs humane euthanasia of animals, complies with applicable state and federal regulations relating to the handling, use, disposal, and accountability of controlled substances and drugs, and disposes of deceased animals as required.
• Performs animal care and shelter maintenance tasks including cleaning kennels and cages, building and grounds maintenance, feeding, and watering animals, and daily housekeeping duties.
• Completes daily field and shelter logs, forms, reports, and records, maintaining automated animal records management system.
• Keeps animal control vehicle, tools, and equipment clean and maintained in good working condition.
• Performs zoonosis, arbovirus, and other public health related surveillance and control tasks as required.
• Performs intake vaccinations, blood draws for testing, microchip insertions, administers medications and performs other medical procedures as directed.
• Advises others about animal control related state law and city ordinance requirements, regulations, policies, and procedures, wildlife deterrents, and feral cat control.
• Performs duties as local animal control authority as prescribed by animal control ordinances and State of Texas regulations, including testifying in court as necessary.
• Monitors, investigates, and resolves complaints and reports of animal ordinance violations, animal on animal attacks, at large animals, animal bites, rabies suspects, dangerous dog incidents, animal welfare/cruelty/abuse concerns, wildlife concerns, noise nuisance, unlawful tethering, and unsanitary condition reports and assignments on the City's response Center and documents updates within the response center computer database in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assists with Volunteer and Foster programs as directed.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience: Six (6) months of successful animal care, animal control or code enforcement experience preferred.

Any combination of related, education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Must possess or acquire the Texas Department of State Health Services Animal Control Officer Basic Course within six (6) months of hire. Must possess or acquire the Texas Department of State Health Services Certified Euthanasia Technician certification within four (4) months of hire.

Conditions of Employment: Must submit and pass a pre-employment drug, pre-placement medical examination and the job placement assessment (JPA). Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License Class "C" and good driving record as defined by City policy.

Other Requirements: This position is subject to emergency call-back during off-duty hours and is required to have a take home vehicle when in call-back status. The employee must be able to arrive at the service/assistance location to which they are dispatched within 30 minutes after being notified of the call-back. This position is subject to emergency operations. The individual holding this position will be required to work as usual or as needed: during emergency operations, in preparation for prolonged emergency operations and/or during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by his/her direct supervisor, Department Head or designee, or the City Manager or designee.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of: Applicable State animal control regulations to include chemical compounds; City ordinances; City streets; animal behaviors, handling methods, and communication; health regulations; animal control methods and techniques, equipment operations, record preparation; shelter guidelines; microchipping; and vaccinations.

Skilled in: Reading maps and GPS; composing detailed reports; reading, understanding, explaining, and accurately applying animal control related regulations, policies, and procedures; maintaining poise, and professional bearing in stressful, emotional, or possibly hazardous situations; controlling, handling, and working around all types of domesticated and wild animals (dead or alive); properly euthanize wild and domestic animals; dispose of animals properly; using a computer including word processing, shelter software, and the internet; identifying signs of common zoonotic diseases and injuries; identifying most common dog and cat breeds; accepting responsibility for his/her actions; performing work accurately and thoroughly; following instructions, safety practices, and standard operating procedures in performing assigned tasks; communicating effectively, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing; being punctual and attending work regularly; and working effectively with people regardless of their race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran's status, genetics, or job type.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Must be familiar with and skilled in the proper use of 48" instant release control poles, 36" animal grasper, animal traps, raccoon/skunk boxes, animal gauntlets, 30" snappy snares, 42" snake tongs, dog leads, tranquilizer equipment, injection equipment for humane euthanasia and other equipment for control and capture purposes.

Must be medically fit to work with animals and have the strength and agility to lift and carry items or animals up to 80 pounds. Must be willing to obtain a pre-exposure rabies vaccination, and, when medically required, revaccination shots. It also requires regular work with a personal computer, walking, standing, bending, stooping and reaching. Must possess the ability to regularly operate a motor vehicle and on occasion connect a horse or cattle trailer; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; identify animals at a distance, including ability to describe color of various animals and discriminate between various animal sounds; and pursue animals on foot. Incumbents must intermittently travel around the City in assigned vehicle, responding to calls involving situations related to control and protection of animals; may be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects, and other vehicles while in the field; may work unusual and prolonged work schedule during emergencies, seasonally caused circumstances, special assignments in various extreme cold and hot climates or temperature conditions. May work on uneven or slippery surfaces and work outside in extreme temperature and weather conditions under difficult or hazardous situations and work irregular shifts, including Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; may work overtime as needed and with minimal notice and on-all. Must meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties without risk of injury to self or others, lift large animals, climb ladders and stairs, and chase animals. Must be able to work in exposure to animal dander, waste, animal bites, and various cleaning and disinfectants. Also requires the mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by telephone; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; On a continuous basis work in an office environment sitting at a desk for long periods of time; travel from job site to job site sitting in and operating a vehicle; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist while performing field work; may be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects and other vehicles while performing field work.

The city of Lewisville has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities, which may be required. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.