Animal Control Officer

City of Muskogee • Muskogee, OK

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs routine-difficulty work enforcing animal control ordinances and regulations. The Animal Control Officer patrols assigned areas, responds to animal-related incidents, captures and transports animals, investigates complaints and suspected violations, issues warnings and citations, and prepares reports and records. The role also includes providing information to the public, performing euthanasia and preparing rabies specimens, collecting and disposing of dead animals, testifying at hearings, and performing kennel care. The officer may support patrol officers and investigators during animal-related matters and must report to work regularly and punctually.

The position reports directly to the Animal Control/Shelter Supervisor and has no direct reports or supervisory responsibilities. Work takes place indoors and outdoors and involves travel within the City. The officer must be able to work nights and weekends, remain on standby, and respond to after-hours emergency calls within the timeframe required by the Department. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent, with at least two years of customer service experience, 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 and considerable knowledge of methods for handling animals and maintaining custody of them.
• Good knowledge of animal care and feeding.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public and City officials.
• Ability to maintain complete records and reports.
• Ability to learn applicable laws, ordinances, department rules, and regulations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and make effective, rapid decisions in complex or emergency situations.
• Ability to qualify annually at a police shooting range.
• Skill in operating a two-way portable radio, animal control service vehicle, rifles, catch poles, traps, needles, and syringes.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent walking, standing, lifting and carrying objects up to 60 pounds, balancing, bending, handling, climbing, twisting, kneeling, and repetitive movements.
• Ability to work around cats, dogs, and other animals as required.
• Vision, speech, hearing, and feeling sufficient to perform essential tasks.
• Must submit to drug screening and a fitness-to-work physical examination.
• Possession of a valid Oklahoma Class D driver's license.
• Within one year of employment, receive and maintain certification in the 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in law enforcement, animal control work, and/or shelter operations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Enforce and apply animal control ordinances and regulations.
• Patrol assigned areas within the City to detect and prevent violations, and respond to stray-animal, animal-bite, noise-complaint, and animal-cruelty incidents.
• Chase, capture, apprehend, impound, and transport stray, injured, or diseased domestic, farm, exotic, and wild animals using equipment such as catch poles and traps; use tranquilizer guns when needed to subdue animals.
• Transport captured animals to the City animal shelter or an animal hospital.
• Investigate animal cruelty, animal bites, and animal nuisances; interview complainants, victims, and witnesses; gather and preserve evidence; and identify animal owners.
• Issue verbal and written warnings and citations to animal owners and handlers who violate animal control ordinances and regulations.
• Prepare incident reports and other forms, and maintain records and logs of animal control activities.
• Inform the public and outside-agency representatives about animal control ordinances, regulations, and animal care methods and techniques.
• Perform euthanasia on injured, sick, dangerous, or unwanted animals by lethal injection; prepare the euthanasia area and calculate dosages based on animal weight.
• Prepare rabies specimens for laboratory testing by decapitating them and placing them in biohazard containers.
• Pick up dead animals from public streets and highways and dispose of carcasses appropriately.
• Testify in court and at hearings concerning animal control citations and related matters.
• Handle, feed, clean, and care for animals in kennels, and maintain sanitary kennel conditions.
• Contact patrol officers for support in investigations or arrests and assist officers and investigators with animals at crime scenes.
• Work regularly and punctually; perform other work as necessary or assigned.

What This Job Offers

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