Animal Control Officer

City of Boerne • Boerne, TX

8d • $22 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Control Officer works under the direction of the Animal Care Supervisor to protect residents from stray or vicious animals and related diseases. The officer captures, impounds, transports, and helps adopt out animals, and humanely euthanizes animals when necessary. The position also supports daily operations at the Animal Care Services Center, including animal care and facility cleaning; prepares reports; collects licensing and shelter fees; and issues citations for animal control violations.

The role responds to citizen complaints and emergency calls, including reports of animal cruelty, bites, and dangerous animals. It involves field investigations and documentation, assisting with community programs and volunteers, maintaining department vehicles and equipment, preparing animals for rabies testing, and testifying in court when required. The officer may serve as essential emergency personnel and must be able to respond to on-call service requests from their residence within 30 minutes.

The work includes outdoor duties in varied and extreme weather, animal handling, cleaning, bending, walking, carrying, and lifting or applying force equivalent to 75 pounds or more. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent and must hold a valid Texas driver’s license. The Texas Department of State Health Services Basic Animal Control Officer Certification and Euthanasia Technician Certification must be held or obtained within six months of employment.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• One year of animal control or animal handling experience is preferred; equivalent combinations of experience and training that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities are acceptable.
• Knowledge of animal control equipment operations, animal care and behavior, applicable city ordinances and state laws, record preparation methods, facility-maintenance practices and equipment, and cleaning methods and procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions and safely and correctly operate cleaning equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication.
• Valid Texas driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities and a good driving record.
• Ability to recognize and handle dangerous situations, including vicious animals, and work under stress, including with upset or irate citizens.
• Tolerance for outdoor working conditions and diverse weather, including extreme weather conditions.
• When on call, ability to lawfully respond to service calls from residence within 30 minutes.
• Ability to bend, lift, walk, and carry or use force equal to lifting 75 pounds or heavier.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Must possess the Texas Department of State Health Services Basic Animal Control Officer Certification, or obtain it within six months of employment.
• Must possess Euthanasia Technician Certification, or obtain it within six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

• One year of animal control or animal handling experience.

Responsibilities

• Patrol for stray, vicious, or injured animals and respond to citizen complaints and emergency calls, taking appropriate action.
• Collect required license, shelter, and impoundment fees.
• Respond promptly to animal-assistance calls from law enforcement personnel standing by.
• Assist volunteers and community-service personnel while ensuring applicable policies, procedures, and safety standards are followed.
• Safely and humanely capture and transport animals, including sick, injured, or potentially dangerous animals.
• Clean and maintain assigned city equipment and department vehicles in working condition.
• Document field investigation notes and maintain accurate, thorough daily activity logs.
• Prepare accurate and thorough reports in the software management system and record data on appropriate logs and forms.
• Assist with Animal Services events and programs.
• Issue citations for Animal Control Law violations, document information completely and accurately, and testify in court as required.
• Clean Animal Care facilities according to specifications.
• Humanely euthanize animals identified by the Animal Care Supervisor when necessary and ensure their proper disposition.
• Remove and properly dispose of deceased animals.
• Trap wild and domestic animals.
• Prepare animals for rabies testing and transport them safely to the laboratory.
• Serve as essential emergency personnel when required.
• Maintain regular and prompt attendance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance paid 100% by the city for the employee; dependents may be added, with the city paying 46.2% of dependent medical coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Paid vacation and sick days.
• Paid holidays.
• Retirement plan with a 14% city contribution.
• Workers’ compensation insurance and 100% salary indemnity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED