Animal Control Officer (Full Time)

Mt. Lebanon, PA • Mount Lebanon, PA

2d • $24 - $26

About The Position

The Animal Control Officer enforces laws and regulations regarding domestic and wild animals in the communities served by the South Hills Animal Control Cooperative. The position responds to animal-control service requests, investigates complaints and ordinance violations, handles animals in difficult or emergency situations, and provides for the safe transport and impoundment of animals. The officer maintains records and reports, may testify in court or administrative hearings, and maintains animal-control facilities, vehicles, and equipment. The work requires regular and punctual attendance and may involve varied shifts, evenings, weekends, and hours exceeding 40 per week.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license at appointment, maintained throughout employment.
• Legal authority to possess a firearm, maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to work varied shifts, including evenings and weekends; work hours may exceed 40 per week.
• Ability to learn and satisfactorily perform required animal-related knowledge, equipment use, laws, ordinances, department rules, and procedures within the first nine months of employment.
• Knowledge of common dog and cat physical and behavioral characteristics, common domestic-animal disease symptoms, animal licensing and regulatory ordinances, animal-control equipment, and animal restraint and care techniques.
• Ability to safely and effectively use an animal-control vehicle, animal capture gear and traps, a small-bore rifle, kennel equipment, police radio, first-aid equipment, and a personal computer with basic reporting, word-processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, gather information through appropriate questions, follow instructions, and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, remain calm and respectful in stressful situations, and communicate professionally and tactfully with a culturally diverse community.
• Ability and comfort working with animals of unknown disposition, medical problems, and aggressive tendencies.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience working with animals or in a field closely related to the duties.

Responsibilities

• Respond to animal-control service requests for Mt. Lebanon and participating communities.
• Address complaints involving animals running at large, abused animals, and injured or deceased animals.
• Use sound judgment in difficult and emergency situations, including humane euthanasia when appropriate.
• Rescue, capture, or assist animals in dangerous situations, and help citizens capture wild animals trapped in homes, garages, or other locations.
• Gather accurate service information, including complainant details, locations, breeds, licenses, owner-surrender information, bite reports, and medical history.
• Investigate animal-control law and ordinance violations; issue warnings or citations as appropriate or required.
• Appear and testify in court or administrative hearings regarding animal-control cases, and prosecute cases as the citing officer when required.
• Maintain accurate records and logs and prepare daily, monthly, annual, and other requested reports.
• Impound animals transported to the shelter, restrain them for initial medical examinations, and notify veterinary staff of observed health problems or conditions.
• Pick up or transport living and deceased animals and properly dispose of unclaimed animals or carcasses.
• Maintain the animal shelter, vehicles, office, and related equipment.
• Operate Animal Control Department vehicles safely.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Perform other assigned work.

Benefits

• Vacation leave starting at 10 days per year.
• Ten paid legal holidays per year.
• Accrual of eight hours of sick leave per month.
• Eligibility for a full defined-benefit pension at age 60 with 25 years of service.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, flexible spending account, and deferred compensation benefits.

What This Job Offers

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