Animal Control Officer I

Montgomery County Governmennt•Clarksville, TN

2d•Onsite

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 assigned areas, responds to dispatched calls, investigates animal-related complaints, enforces applicable laws and ordinances, and maintains records and reports. Officers educate the community, issue citations, follow rabies and quarantine procedures, represent the County in court, and work with other public-safety and law-enforcement agencies. The role also involves trapping, impounding, quarantining, transporting, and appropriately disposing of animals. Shelter duties include feeding and watering animals, cleaning and disinfecting, medicating animals, maintaining kennels, monitoring animal health and behavior, and recording intake information. Officers assist with animal adoption and redemption and euthanize animals when necessary. Work takes place in the field and an animal shelter setting and involves physical activity, potential exposure to animal attacks and infectious diseases, outdoor conditions, and use of specialized protective equipment. Animal Control Officers work under the guidance and supervision of the Lead Animal Control Officer and/or Supervisor. The position has no fiscal responsibilities.

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 regulatory requirements.
Skills in responding to animal-control calls and complaints, advising owners, analyzing information and issues, prioritizing a high volume of work, and applying judgment and discretion.
Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently under time limits; communicate clearly; maintain accurate records; analyze facts and exercise sound judgment; adapt to stressful situations; and establish effective working relationships.
Ability to work allocated hours and to recognize occupational hazards and take safety precautions.
Ability to operate motor vehicles or equipment and use and perform normal maintenance of office machines.

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; address questions 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 through final disposition.
Compile animal-control data; prepare daily, weekly, and monthly activity reports; and maintain paper and electronic files and records.
Issue Montgomery County citations for violations of County animal-control regulations and Tennessee animal laws.
Educate the public about responsible pet ownership, animal-control functions, animal safety, animal laws, and animal-care programs.
Carry out duties in compliance with Federal, State, and County laws and ordinances.
Check rabies vaccination status and follow quarantine procedures.
Inspect homes for animal violations, including lack of food, water, or shelter, and assess outdoor temperatures in relation to animal-cruelty regulations.
Testify and represent the County in court.
Trap and test rabies specimens when necessary.
Impound, quarantine, and dispose of animals as appropriate; transport injured animals to a veterinarian for treatment.
Euthanize sick, injured, or homeless animals as necessary.
Feed and water shelter animals; provide direct care, cleaning, disinfection, medication, and kennel maintenance; and observe and report animals’ health, food and water consumption, appearance, and behavior.
Support animal adoption and redemption by owners.
Record animal intake information on appropriate logs and enter accurate data into the animal-tracking system.
Work professionally with County and State public-safety and law-enforcement agencies.
Represent the Department to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate activities with other departments and organizations.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.