Animal Control Officer

City of Muskogee, OK • Muskogee, OK

51d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs work of routine difficulty enforcing animal control ordinances and regulations.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent with at least two (2) years customer service experience required; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Good knowledge of the geography of the City.
• Knowledge of city ordinances relating to animal shelter operations
• Considerable knowledge of the methods of handling and maintaining custody of animals
• Good knowledge of the care and feeding of animals
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public and city officials
• Ability to maintain complete records and reports
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances and department rules and regulations
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and to make effective and rapid decisions in complex or emergency situations
• Ability to qualify at police shooting range annually.
• Skilled in operating a two-way portable radio, animal control service vehicle, rifles, catch poles, traps, needles and syringes.
• Possession of a valid Oklahoma Class D driver's license is required.
• Within one year of employment, must receive and maintain certification in use of legend drugs and certification as a euthanasia technician; ability to maintain annual certification from the animal control academy.
• Must pass a police background check and maintain a drug free and criminal free background while employed.
• Must submit to drug screening and fitness to work physical exam.

Nice To Haves

• Preference will be given to those with experience in law enforcement, animal control work and/or shelter operations.

Responsibilities

• Enforces and applies ordinances and regulations pertaining to animal control.
• Patrols assigned areas within the City to detect and prevent violations of animal control ordinances and regulations; responds to incidents including stray animals, animal bites, noise complaints, and animal cruelty.
• Chases, apprehends, impounds, and transports domestic, farm, exotic, and wild animals that are stray, injured, and diseased; uses catch poles and traps to capture and impound animals; may use tranquilizer guns to subdue vicious and fractious animals; places animals in animal service vehicle; transports captured animals to the City's animal shelter or an animal hospital.
• Investigates incidents involving animal cruelty, animal bites, and animal nuisances reported by members of the public; interviews complainants, victims, and witnesses in order to collect information on possible violations of animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations; identifies, collects, and preserves evidence pertaining to investigations of animal cruelty; identifies the owners of animals that are the subject of an investigation.
• Gives verbal warnings, written warnings, and citations to animal owners and animal handlers who have violated ordinances and regulations related to animal control.
• Prepares incident reports; completes all forms pertaining to animal control activities; and maintains records and logs such as the number of calls for service.
• Provides information to members of the public and representatives from outside agencies on animal control ordinances and regulations and animal care methods and techniques.
• Performs euthanasia on injured, sick, dangerous, or unwanted animals by means of lethal injection; prepares euthanasia area; calculates dosage requirements for euthanasia procedures according to the weight of the animal.
• Prepares rabies specimens for laboratory tests by decapitating and placing specimens in biohazard containers.
• Picks up dead animals found in public streets and highways; disposes animal carcasses as appropriate.
• Testifies in court and at hearings on the enforcement of animal control citations and other matters relating to animal control.
• Performs kennel duties as required by handling, feeding, cleaning, and providing care to animals; maintains the sanitary conditions of kennels.
• May contact patrol officers to provide support in animal control investigations and to arrest violators of animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations; may assist patrol officers and investigators by handling animals that are present at crime scenes.
• Performs other work as necessary and or as assigned.
• Must report to work on a regular and timely basis.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees