Animal Control Officer I

Montgomery County Government•Clarksville, TN

About The Position

The Animal Control Officer I addresses quality-of-life concerns for Montgomery County residents by helping provide a safe and healthy environment and educating the public about animal control and welfare. The position provides customer service, patrols designated areas, responds to dispatched assignments, enforces applicable State and County animal laws and ordinances, investigates animal-related complaints, and follows up on complaints through final disposition. It also prepares activity reports and maintains paper and electronic records, issues citations, represents the County in court, and educates the public about responsible pet ownership, animal safety, laws, and care programs. The role includes checking rabies vaccination status and carrying out quarantine procedures; inspecting homes for animal-related violations; trapping and testing rabies specimens when needed; impounding, quarantining, transporting, and disposing of animals as appropriate; and euthanizing animals when necessary. Shelter duties include feeding, watering, cleaning, disinfecting, medicating, and monitoring animals, maintaining kennels, recording intake information, and assisting with adoptions and owner redemptions. The officer works professionally with County and State public-safety and law-enforcement agencies and performs duties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The position works under the guidance and supervision of the Lead Animal Control Officer and/or Supervisor. Work takes place in the field and an animal shelter, involving physical activity, moderate to noisy conditions, interruptions, and moderate stress. The role may involve outdoor weather, driving in inclement weather, specialized personal protective equipment, animal attacks, and infectious diseases carried by animals. Montgomery County describes itself as an equal opportunity employer and notes that it offers benefits including TCRS retirement plans.

Requirements

At least one year of animal-handling experience and experience working with the public.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid driver’s license.
State of Tennessee Certified Euthanasia Technician.
Obtain Basic Animal Control Officer Certification within the first year of employment.
Obtain Advanced Animal Control Officer Certification within the second year of employment.
Knowledge of County and State animal-control laws, regulations, and procedures; animal capture and handling; animal-control equipment and techniques; animal science and behavior; relevant computer software; office practices; and applicable County, Department, and government operating requirements and regulations.
Skill in responding to animal-control calls and complaints, advising owners about loose animals and leash laws, analyzing administrative information and issues, prioritizing a high volume of work, and applying judgment and discretion.
Ability to perform accurate detailed work independently, communicate clearly, maintain records, interpret and implement policies and regulations, make sound judgments, adapt to stressful situations, maintain effective working relationships, and work the allocated hours.
Ability to operate motor vehicles or equipment and office machines, recognize occupational hazards, and take safety precautions.
Ability to meet the role’s physical and communication requirements, including occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force, regular standing and repetitive hand motions, and occasional walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in veterinary sciences, zoology, biology, or a related field.
Basic First Aid/CPR certification.

Responsibilities

Provide customer service to internal and external customers, resolve questions where possible, and refer complex inquiries, requests, or complaints to appropriate staff.
Patrol designated areas and respond to dispatched assignments to enforce State and County animal control laws and ordinances.
Investigate animal-related complaints, gather information, resolve related problems tactfully, and follow up on complaints through final disposition.
Compile animal-control data, prepare daily, weekly, and monthly activity reports, and maintain paper and computer files and records.
Issue Montgomery County citations for violations of County animal-control regulations and State animal laws.
Educate the public about responsible pet ownership, animal-control functions, animal safety, animal laws, and animal-care programs.
Perform duties in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and County laws and ordinances.
Check rabies vaccination status and follow quarantine procedures.
Inspect homes for animal violations, including inadequate food, water, or shelter, and assess outdoor temperatures as relevant to animal-cruelty regulations.
Testify and represent the County in court.
Trap and test rabies specimens when necessary.
Impound, quarantine, transport, and dispose of animals as appropriate; transport injured animals to a veterinarian; and euthanize sick, injured, or homeless animals when necessary.
Feed, water, clean, disinfect, and medicate shelter animals; maintain kennels; and observe and report animal health, food and water consumption, appearance, and behavior.
Assist with adoption and redemption of animals by their owners.
Record animal intake information and enter complete and accurate data into the animal-tracking system.
Work professionally with other County and State public-safety and law-enforcement agencies.
Represent the Department to County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies, and coordinate activities with them.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.