Animal Control Officer

City of Weslaco • Weslaco, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Control Officer is responsible for capturing and impounding dangerous or stray animals, investigating cases of animal cruelty, and enforcing city ordinance. This role involves providing expert testimony in court cases, writing incident reports, rescuing trapped animals, and providing humane care to animals under their supervision. The position requires cleaning and feeding animals in the shelter and humanely euthanizing animals. The Animal Control Officer investigates reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, captures and removes stray or abused animals from undesirable conditions, and contacts animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities. They also clean facilities and equipment, issue warnings or citations, organize the adoption of unclaimed animals, and educate the public about animal welfare and animal control laws and regulations. Additionally, this role may involve holding animal clinics, responding to natural disaster emergencies, supervising damage team members and volunteers, and performing vector control duties. The employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours at night and/or on weekends.

Requirements

• Must have a high school diploma; or equivalent.
• Have one (1) to three (3) years of experience in the field.
• Must have a current valid Class "C" Driver's License and be insurable.
• Must be able to obtain the Basic Animal Control Officer License and Euthanasia Technician License within 1 year of employment.
• Applicant must pass pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen at City's expense.
• Must successfully complete Emergency Management and Incident Command Training within first three months of hire date.
• Knowledge of the local ordinances, Texas state laws and the ability to relay such information to professional, non-professional, and residents of the City of Weslaco for minimum code compliance.
• Individual must maintain a positive attitude to adapted and full-fill new ordinances, regulations, changes, and other duties as requested by supervisors.
• Ability to carry out duties during emergency situations under adverse weather and stressful, life-threatening conditions.
• Ability to maintain detailed and accurate records.
• Ability to deal with disgruntled members of the public in a tactful manner.
• Ability to handle animals under extraordinary conditions of stress.
• Ability to execute and follow oral and written instructions.
• Patience to proper inform or enforce on going or ever-changing regulations from multiple agencies and city commission.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty.
• Capture and remove stray, or abused animals from undesirable conditions.
• Write reports of activities and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
• Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
• Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
• Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses.
• Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.
• Educate the public about animal welfare and animal control laws and regulations.
• Hold animal clinics.
• Responds to natural disaster emergencies; supervises damage team members and volunteers.
• Perform vector control.
• Perform other similar or related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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