Animal Control Officer

City of Richmond • 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, VA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Richmond Animal Care and Control is seeking dynamic, enthusiastic, and hardworking candidates for the position of Animal Control Officer. The incumbent will be responsible for investigating complaints, picking up stray and dead animals, patrolling the city for violations of animal ordinances which may include aiding animals in distress, transporting stray animals to the kennel and caring for kenneled animals. The selected candidate must be able to address citizen inquires and inform citizens of animal control laws and have the ability to humanely tranquilize and euthanize unhealthy animals and wildlife. Richmond Animal Care and Control is committed to being an employer of choice and we are dedicated to the growth of our workforce. We value our employees and seek to attract and retain the best. We are also committed to individual professional growth! The selected candidate will have the opportunity to attend applicable training and educational workshops. This position may require working weekends and holidays, as needed. This position is considered an Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, or inclement weather.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• One (1) year of experience handling animals and/or enforcing animal laws
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification
• Requires a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire
• Requires a Animal Control Officer certification within one year of hire
• Requires a euthanasia certification within one year of hire
• Required to work scheduled and on-call shifts which include evening, weekends and holidays
• Knowledge of animal behavior and handling
• Knowledge of animal control laws
• Knowledge of aggressive animal handling
• Basic knowledge of animals, including different breeds and types
• Knowledge of electronic databases and related software applications such as the shelter intake system Shelterbuddy
• Knowledge of licensing laws
• Skill in understanding and appreciation of animals
• Skill in capturing and impounding dangerous or stray animals
• Skill in answering calls regarding animals in the City
• Skill in communicating with various internal and external departments
• Skill in driving a City of Richmond vehicle
• Skill in enforcing licensing laws
• Skill in ensuring animal owners are in compliance with the animal control laws
• Skill in identifying different breeds and types of animals
• Skill in investigating cases of animal cruelty
• Skill in maintaining a professional attitude and a positive relationship with citizens
• Skill in using communication skills to deescalate situations
• Skill in providing expert testimony in court cases
• Skill in providing humane care to animals
• Skill in rescuing trapped animals
• Skill in using a variety of animal control equipment such as control pole leash, animal trap, nets, mace, gloves, snake and cat tongs, etc.
• Skill in using discretion to decide whether to seize an animal from a location pending an investigation
• Skill in using discretion to decide whether to issue a summons to a citizens or provide them a chance to come into compliance
• Skill in writing reports such as an incident report
• Ability to be compassionate
• Ability to follow standard procedures and established practices to resolve problems
• Ability to communicate
• Ability to make judgments
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to work well with a team

Responsibilities

• Enforcing the Animal Welfare Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Codes for the City of Richmond pertaining to animals to ensure the health and safety of the public
• Conducting and coordinating, and sometimes assisting other City Agencies, with independent investigations of incidences of cruelty to animals and enforcing the appropriate City and State codes
• Responding to requests for assistance with aggressive animals
• Assisting residents with dangerous wild and/or exotic animals, such as snakes, raccoons, opossums, etc.
• Responding to calls for assistance regarding the potential exposure to rabies
• Providing animal care, vaccinations, and medications for animals
• Performing euthanasia and lab specimen preparation
• Investigating citizen complaints related to companion animal concerns
• Assisting residents with their companion animal's needs and concerns
• Educating the public regarding responsible pet ownership and care requirements
• Preparing reports and records on a daily basis
• Composing court records and files and testifying in court regularly
• Responding to the need for service as an emergency responder
• Updating animal/client records to reflect the most current status and information available
• Driving a City of Richmond vehicle
• Performing other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Applicable training and educational workshops

What This Job Offers

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