Animal Control Officer I

The purpose of this job is to address quality of life concerns for the citizens of Montgomery County by providing a safe and healthy environment and education as related to animal control and welfare.

Responsibilities

• Provides customer service to internal and external customers; addresses and resolves customer questions as able and refers complex inquiries, requests, or complaints to appropriate staff.

• Patrols designated areas and responds to dispatched assignments to enforce State and County animal control laws and ordinances.

• Investigates and gathers information on animal-related complaints (animal bites, animal attacks, dangerous dog, reports of animal cruelty, strays, injured, neglected, sick/diseased, and possible rabies exposure cases) and resolves related problems in a tactful manner.

• Follows up on complaints for final dispositions.

• Compiles a variety of data regarding animal control; prepares daily, weekly, and monthly reports of activities, and maintains paper and computer files and records relative to actions taken.

• Issues Montgomery County Citations to General Sessions Court for violation of Montgomery County Animal Control Regulations and State of Tennessee Animal Laws.

• Maintains effective relationships with the community by educating the general public on responsible pet ownership, animal control functions, and animal safety, animal laws and animal care programs.

• Carries out duties in conformance with all Federal, State, and County laws and ordinances.

• Checks for current rabies vaccination and follows up with quarantine procedures.

• Checks homes in question for various animal violations including lack of food, water, shelter, and assesses outside temperatures relating to cruelty to animal regulations.

• Testifies and represents the County in court.

• Traps and tests rabies specimens when necessary.

• Impounds, quarantines, and disposes of animals as appropriate; transports injured animals to a veterinarian to be treated. Euthanizes sick, injured or homeless animals as necessary.

• Responsible for appropriate feeding and watering and direct care of animals in the shelter; including cleaning and disinfecting, medicating animals, kennel maintenance, observing and reporting status of animal health, food and water consumption, appearance, behavior.

• Adoption and redemption of animals by their owners.

• Record animal intake information on appropriate logs and complete and accurate data entry into the animal tracking system.

• Work professionally with other public safety/law enforcement County and State agencies.

Minimum Experience: One (1) year of animal handling experience and working with the public.

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Coursework in veterinary sciences, zoology, biology or other related fields preferred.

Certifications, Licenses:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

• Basic First Aid/ CPR certification preferred.

• State of Tennessee Certified Euthanasia Technician.

• Basic Animal Control Officer Certification within the first year of employment.

• Advanced Animal Control Officer Certification within the second year of employment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• County and State animal control laws, regulations and procedures.

• Principles and practices for capturing and handling a variety of wild and domestic animals.

• Specialized animal control equipment and techniques.

• Animal science and behavior, also as it relates to an Animal Shelter/Control environment.

• Computer software consistent for this position.

• Current office practices and procedures.

• The County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.

Skill in:

• Answering calls and complaints involving animal control.

• Advising owners of loose animals, leash laws and the necessity of keeping animals under control.

• Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.

• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

• Applying judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.