Animal Control Officer

Love animals but not afraid to get your hands dirty? The City of Pittsburg is looking for an Animal Control Officer who’s ready to serve the community, handle the unexpected, and care for animals in need. This isn’t just a desk job… every day is different, and every call matters. 

Starting Hourly Rate: $19.00/HR

Excellent Benefits (Medical, Dental Vision), Retirement, Company Paid Life Insurance, Vacation AND Sick accruals start day one. Paid Parental Leave after 1 year of service. Free facility gym and more!

POSITION SUMMARY

Under supervision of the Administrative Lieutenant/Deputy Chief of Administration, the animal control officer will respond to calls for service within the community related to animal complaints, pick up animals for transport to the animal shelter or for emergency veterinarian care, while tending to the daily duties related to care and maintenance of the animal shelter.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Familiarization and compliance with department policies and procedures.
• Regular work attendance (being on time to work and to court appearances, compliance with leave standards, time management).
• Accurate and prompt reporting of overtime hours for timecard completion.
• Maintain grooming and uniform standards per department policy.
• Maintain animal control vehicle and equipment, to include cleaning and disinfecting cages and animal carriers to prevent and minimize the spread of communicable disease such as Parvovirus and nuisance infestations such as fleas.
• Maintain and maximize use of issued equipment (portable radio, Taser, baton, and other equipment as necessary and/or assigned, etc.) by inspecting the operating condition prior to use and adhering to departmental policies and procedures to ensure reliability and safety. Secure equipment before leaving vehicle or department shift.
• Daily cleaning of the animal shelter and feeding, walking, and watering impounded animals. Answering phones at the shelter and returning calls to the public.
• Achieve and maintain certification for assigned equipment including Taser and chemical capture devices.
• Respond to calls for service related to animal complaints (nuisance animals, animal bites, animals running at large, barking dogs, dead animal removal, etc.)
• Respond to outside requests for animal control services in neighboring jurisdictions and provide capture, transport, or other assistance in resolving the nature of the calls for assistance.
• Impound stray, neglected, or abused animals in a safe manner utilizing various equipment assigned such as a guide leash, snare pole, bite-resistant gloves, Taser, chemical capture darting equipment.
• Transport animals picked up in the course of duties in a safe manner ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of animals in officer’s care.
• Transport sick or injured animals to local animal health care providers for treatment as needed.
• Prepare thorough, accurate incident reports documenting investigations, including gathering and properly submitting items of evidence into the department’s records management system.
• Complete Notice to Appear forms in relation to animal control investigations and adhere to court issued subpoenas to provide testimony in applicable cases.

POSITION COMPETENCIES

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Communicate with the public politely and professionally, beyond the giving and receiving of instructions. May involve dealing effectively with people from various social and cultural backgrounds in a wide range of situations, being sensitive to the feelings of others and resolving problems in ways that do not arouse antagonism, calming emotional people, and resolving interpersonal conflicts through persuasion rather than force, and influencing people and inspiring their confidence and respect.
• Remain calm and level-headed in difficult, unexpected, or emergency situations. May involve performing effectively in stressful situations (i.e., exercising restraint, using force only when necessary), taking necessary action to effectively perform required duties in adverse conditions or life-threatening situations (e.g. animal attack), and making immediate decisions under emotionally demanding conditions when information is incomplete or conflicting.
• Proficient with operation of records management systems for reporting and use of applicable notice to appear forms, and daily use forms at the animal shelter.
• Operate a motor vehicle in a safe and prudent manner adhering to all traffic laws.
• Operate vehicle radio using department codes and phonetic alphabet to send and receive routine/emergency traffic. Receive and acknowledge assignments from communications center and remain in contact with communications when engaging in patrol duties.
• Demonstrate proper use of animal capture devices.
• Knowledgeable of laws, ordinances, codes, policies and procedures related to animal control activities and the health and well-being of animals.
• Respond to calls for service during tour of duty and take appropriate actions to resolve issues encountered during the call.
• Develop practical solutions to problems and to make sound decisions based upon information, policies, and experience. Consults with and takes guidance and direction from supervisor as appropriate.
• Conduct investigations into complaints regarding violations of City Code and/or ordinance violations, or violations of Kansas Statutes gathering necessary supporting evidence and documentation to aid in case prosecution.
• Ability to identify potential risk situations involving animal care and work effectively with pet owners to resolve problems and ensure healthy environments for pets.
• Assess the health needs of animals contacted during calls for service to determine if medical intervention may be required and transport animals to veterinarian facilities for treatment as needed.
• Comply with rules and procedures. May involve fulfilling job responsibilities without receiving specific instructions or orders, performing job duties in a timely and proper manner (e.g., following orders), and working safely according to established policies and procedures in all situations.
• Participate in public outreach and education through community engagement activities.
• Demonstrate ability to safely use cleaning chemicals in accordance with OSHA standards and demonstrates proper use of PPE.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Basic writing skills and use/understanding of the English language.
• Basic understanding of the procedures and practices for capturing and handling a variety of wild and domesticated animals and the general principles of animal behavior.
• Basic understanding of the principles and/or procedures related to the care, treatment and maintenance of domestic animals in a humane manner.
• Basic understanding of the operations of computers and computer software applications, and the ability to type for producing written investigative reports, daily activity logs, and documentation logs detailing the handling of animals including impoundment, release, quarantine, and disposition of animals addressed during daily work periods.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Animal Control Officer’s physical job demands require occasional maximum lift of 75 lbs floor to waist; occasional maximum lift of 35 lbs from waist to shoulder; occasional maximum carry of 75 lbs 10 ft; occasional maximum carry of 75 lbs 50 ft; occasional maximum horizontal push/pull force of 85 lbs; frequent maximum horizontal push/pull force of 20 lbs; occasional maximum grip force of 60 lbs; frequent maximum grip force of 25 lbs; occasional maximum pinch force of 6 lbs; frequent climb; frequent bend/crouch; occasional kneel / crouch; frequent trunk rotation; frequent forward reach; frequent hand coordination; frequent foot coordination; frequent sit; frequent stand and frequent walk.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Animal Control Officer encounters adverse working conditions during their daily duties. Hazardous, strenuous, and dangerous situations may arise in the apprehension of wild or domesticated animals. Exposure to blood, body fluids, and other hazardous substances may occur. Adverse weather conditions may be encountered when patrolling. Exposure to chemicals when cleaning and disinfecting the animal shelter.