ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER I - POLICE

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER I - 9140

GRADE - 106

PAY RANGE - $22.86 - $32.60/hr- plus a comprehensive benefits package

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Enforces laws and ordinances related to animal welfare, care, and control; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to maintain the animal control program. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of an assigned field supervisor but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department and City employees, State Fish and Game officials, business and community organizations, veterinary services, and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in an outdoor work environment with potential personal hazards.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

• Enforces all local and State animal control ordinances through general control and complaint investigation, ensuring citizens are in compliance;
• Enforces violations, misdemeanors, and felonies involving animal cruelty;
• Manages City rabies control activities, including processing complaints, capturing wild and domestic animals that have bitten or scratched a human to quarantine or euthanize, and preparing, transporting, and submitting specimens to test for rabies;
• Investigates complaints, including of animal bites, maintains related documentation, issues citations and/or fines, impounds animals, or takes other appropriate actions as the situation warrants;
• Testifies in court, as needed;
• Provides humane live traps to resolve certain animal control situations;
• Captures and relocates wild animals deemed a safety concern to citizens, including but not limited to bears, coyotes, fox, raccoons, skunks, weasels, and muskrats;
• Transports animals running at large to their owners or impounds them as necessary;
• Maintains a current and accurate file of lost and missing animals;
• Develops and implements policies for efficient, effective, and community-responsive procedures regarding animal control;
• Develops and presents animal safety classes in Manchester schools;
• Serves as an information source within the community regarding animal and pet issues, responds to questions from the public, releases official information to the media and other communication sources, and represents the Manchester Police Department in a courteous and professional manner;
• Provides care for wounded animals as appropriate and disposes of dead animals according to prescribed guidelines;
• Inventories and requests equipment and supplies according to established procedures;
• Euthanizes and disposes of sick or injured animals, as necessary;
• Acts as part of the patrol unit working throughout the community to survey for animal-related needs and educate owners/handlers;
• Assists patrol units, detectives, SED, City Fire Department, and AMR with handling or restraining aggressive animals or handling animals in need of assistance;
• Problem-solves complex situations in crisis conditions and/or physically-threatening environments;
• Trains, assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of assigned volunteers;
• Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
• Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
• Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
• Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
• Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
• Performs additional duties as required by the classification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Substantial knowledge of ordinances, laws, and regulations governing animal complaints;
• Substantial knowledge of animal behavior and animal control techniques, principles, and practices;
• Substantial knowledge of infectious diseases characteristics and control;
• Some knowledge of wildlife behavior and control techniques;
• Some knowledge of animal species and breed identification;
• Thorough skill in animal capture and restraint;
• Ability to determine disposition of domestic animals and determine best method to capture and handle unrestrained animals;
• Ability to resolve problems and handle complaints from citizens concerning animal control;
• Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity;
• Ability to work and complete assignments with minimal supervision;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from High School or possession of a GED, preferably supplemented by some additional training in animal related field; and
• Zero to two years of public contact experience; and
• Zero to two years of experience in law enforcement or related; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License;
• Ability to pass a background check.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to explain laws and ordinances, dispatch personnel and provide reports of animal control activities;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to identify and locate unrestrained animals and wildlife;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate capture and restraining devices and operate standard office equipment;
• Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently and 10 pounds consistently;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to capture, restrain and transport a variety of domestic animals and wildlife.