Animal Control Officer I

The purpose of this classification is to enforce animal control codes and ordinances, protect human life and property, and to assist with care of animals housed in the Richmond Consolidated Government animal shelter.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE DUTIES:

• Responds to animal related complaints: responds to and investigates animal bites, potential animal cruelty and abuse, animals in distress, stray and nuisance animals, barking dogs, wild and dangerous animals, sick and injured animals, animal behavior problems, or animal control laws; provides information and assistance; mediates and resolves citizen disputes; conducts interviews of bite victims, animal owners, and witnesses; determines vaccination status of animals; issues citations and violations; and performs follow-up as appropriate.
• Patrols Consolidated Government to locate and pick up stray animals and to observe and investigate animal control violations: enforces animal related laws and ordinances; captures domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals; sets animal traps; loads animals into cages; transports animals to animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations; relocates displaced wildlife; removes dead animals from roadways; and assists law enforcement by removing animals from accident or crime scenes.
• Processes captured animals and animals removed from homes or dangerous situations: traps, catches, and impounds stray or nuisance animals; handles, lifts, and carries animals, restraining as appropriate; handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals; checks animals for signs of rabies, disease, or other illnesses; quarantines animals as necessary; assigns and transports animals to shelter; and prepares and maintains all related documentation.
• Processes all documentation associated with Animal Control operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including bite reports, vaccination records, and court files; reviews, completes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms and reports, including citations, vehicle maintenance records, bite records, and daily activity logs; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
• Interprets and enforces ordinances, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures related to animal control: ensures staff adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; issues citations to violators of animal control ordinances; and contacts law enforcement to request arrests.
• Receives and responds to questions concerning responsibility of pet ownership, laws and ordinances, pet adoption, and other department issues: provides information and answers questions; and resolves routine customer service and animal care and control issues.
• Maintains current, comprehensive knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, principles and practices relating to Animal Control; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; and attends workshops, in-service training sessions, and meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.