Performs responsible public safety and public contact work in enforcing animal control ordinances in the County. An employee in this class is responsible for capturing and confining stray, abused, and rabid animals in addition to enforcing regulations concerning vaccinations, licensing, and control of animals in the County. The majority of time is spent in the patrol of the County, answering calls and investigating complaints concerning unvaccinated, unwanted, dangerous, nuisance, and rabid animals including wildlife and domestic animals both large and small. The initiative is required in the effort to ensure that animal owners comply with regulations, and considerable tact is necessary for dealing with the public. Independent judgment must be exercised in deciding what action to take if animals cannot be readily captured. The employee is subject to hazards in public safety work including working in inside and outside environments, extreme temperatures, and the risks involved in handling rabid or vicious animals, as well as, exposure to various hazards such as atmospheric conditions, noise, vibration, and physical conditions. The employee is periodically on call to answer after-hours calls and to assist in shelter maintenance when needed. Employees are also exposed to bloodborne pathogens, are subject to the OSHA rules and regulations, are considered in a safety-sensitive position, and may be required to work in close quarters. Work is performed under the supervision of the Animal Management Director and is evaluated through observation, review of reports, and discussion concerning how particular incidents or activities were handled.
Duties and Responsibilities
Investigates complaints and picks up stray animals; traps or tranquilizes animals; takes apprehended animals to the shelter; enforces animal ordinances.
Issues appropriate warnings; issues citations for violations of animal control ordinances; works with law enforcement officers when needed for arrest or animal seizure.
Investigates reports of animal bites and enforces laws requiring confinement of animals for observation; sends animal heads to the laboratory for rabies testing and notifies bite victims of results.
Investigates cases of cruelty to animals and recommends appropriate action; takes wounded animals to veterinarians for care; testifies in court, when necessary, on a variety of cases and complaints.
Chemically immobilizes or euthanizes animals at the County shelter or in the field when needed.
Picks up unwanted and turn-over animals as requested.
Performs small or large animal rescue when needed.
Operates and maintains a County vehicle and animal handling equipment; sets traps and cages to collect wild and vicious animals.
Assists animal owners with wounded animals; dispose of dead animals.
Maintains completed records on activities; keeps logs on activities and calls and on restraining orders, citations, and dangerous animal notices.
Rotates on-call duty and answers after-hours animal control calls.
Assists law enforcement officers where animals are involved, such as drug busts or domestic disturbances.
Attends classes to increase skills, certifications, and to be prepared for a variety of work and emergency situations.
Additional Job Duties
Serves as back-up at the shelter when needed; cleans the shelter and assists the public in reclaiming animals.
Performs related duties as required.
