Animal Control Officer

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County•Athens, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to protect public health and safety and the welfare of animals in Athens-Clarke County by enforcing the Unified Government’s animal control ordinances (ACC Code Chapter 4) and applicable state law (O.C.G.A. Title 4). Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, responding to calls for service; capturing and transporting stray, loose, injured, and dangerous animals; investigating reports of cruelty, neglect, hoarding, and animal bites; issuing warnings and citations and testifying in court; educating the public on responsible pet ownership; supporting shelter operations as needed; supervising inmate or community service workers; maintaining related records; and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent with one year of experience working around a variety of animals required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Must possess a valid Certificate of Euthanasia or the ability to obtain such certifications within one year of date of hire.
Must obtain security training for the supervision of inmate workers as set forth by the Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures within six months of date of hire or first available opportunity.
Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of the Animal Services Department.
Knowledge of practices, policies and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to animal control and euthanasia.
Knowledge of investigative techniques, evidence collection, and case preparation for court.
Knowledge of rabies control and bite quarantine procedures.
Knowledge of humane safe capture, handling, and restraint techniques for companion animals, livestock, and wildlife.
Knowledge of and proficient with computers.
Knowledge of OSHA requirements regarding safe disposal of bio hazardous materials.
Ability to de-escalate conflict and communicate respectfully with residents in tense or emotional situations.
Ability to utilize human relations and technical skills.
Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, and operations as they pertain to division operations and activities.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with inmates, management, co-workers, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the Animal Services Department.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing work situations.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
Ability to handle required mathematical calculations.
Ability to recognize health risks such as exposure to contaminated blood, contagious diseases such as rabies, and dangerous chemicals.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, animal traps, restraint poles, transport vehicles, bolt cutters, snake tongs, muzzles, animal stretcher and dart gun.
stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion.
Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, animals, or things.
Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people and/or animals to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants from supervisors.
Requires the ability to read a variety of maps, books, charts, and reports and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
Requires the ability to prepare truck log, cruelty/neglect forms and reports, bite incident reports, euthanasia records, impound sheets, written warnings, and citations using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.
Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including veterinary, legal, and 10 code terminology.
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize determine percentages; interpret graphs.
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with various animal control devices and office equipment.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using animal control and office equipment.
Requires the ability to lift, bend, push, pull, manipulate equipment/tools and objects as the position necessitates.
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as animal control devices and office equipment.
Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.
Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.
Must be adaptable to managing conflict on a routine basis.
Must be adaptable to coping with the grief associated with animal euthanasia.
Must be able to communicate via telephone, two-way radio.

Nice To Haves

May be required to work on religious holidays.

Responsibilities

Enforces ACC Code Chapter 4 and applicable state law regarding animal care, restraint and leash requirements, licensing, and rabies control.
Issues warnings and citations for violations of local and state animal laws; prepares case documentation and testifies in court as needed.
Obtains warrants for the arrest of certain violators.
Assists with the investigation and classification of dangerous and vicious dogs under Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law (O.C.G.A. §§ 4-8-20 through 4-8-33) and ACC Code § 4-1-25.
Responds to public calls regarding emergencies and loose, injured, or potentially dangerous animals.
Safely captures stray, loose, injured, or dangerous animals, including companion animals, livestock, and wildlife, using humane handling and restraint methods.
Sets and monitors live animal traps to capture wildlife and domestic animals.
Transports animals to the shelter, veterinary clinics, and other appropriate facilities and area animal welfare agencies.
Responds to paged calls for emergency situations after established working hours on a rotating basis.
Investigates reports of animal abuse, neglect, cruelty, and hoarding; gathers evidence, including photographs, witness statements, and scene documentation; and coordinates the seizure and impoundment of animals when warranted.
Investigates animal bites; manages quarantine procedures for biting animals, including home or shelter confinement and coordination with public health officials.
Captures and maintains suspected rabid animals for observation.
Occasionally assists with routine shelter operations when not in the field, including feeding, cleaning and sanitation, and general animal care.
Provides basic medical support to impounded animals, such as vaccinations and minor first aid, under established protocols.
Performs humane euthanasia of animals as needed and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and department policy.
Assists in the adoption and reclamation of shelter animals.
Supervises County inmates and community service workers as assigned.
Educates community members on responsible pet ownership, local ordinances, and humane animal care, in the field and at community events.
Refers residents to department and community resources, such as licensing, vaccination, and spay/neuter services.
Maintains radio contact with the office, other officers, and other agencies.
Prepares daily activity reports, investigation reports, and other related records; performs data entry and record maintenance; and submits reports to the Animal Services Field Supervisor.
Performs other related duties as required.