Animal Services Officer

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria•Alexandria, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

At the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) our Animal Services Officers are our community advocates for the humane treatment of all animals and the education of our community members on the humane treatment of domestic animals and wildlife. This is a dynamic position responsible for enforcing local and state animal welfare and animal control laws, with an emphasis on compassion, understanding, and education towards all members of our community. Animal Services Officers are routinely tasked with the rescue of domestic animals and wildlife from precarious situations and providing emergency care to those animals.

Requirements

Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and have a clean driving record
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Have a proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment
Have the ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations
Have interest in the humane care and treatment of animals
Have a proven ability to interact with others in a positive and friendly manner
Have the ability to learn, understand and effectively communicate State code and City ordinances
Have the ability to attain certification as a euthanasia technician within the first six months of employment
Have the ability to pass the state’s Animal Control Basic Course within one year of appointment
Have the ability to pass course in chemical immobilization techniques within one year of employment
Have the ability to receive rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis
Must be able to regularly lift 50 plus pounds, stand, sit, walk.
Heavy Lifting and Carrying: Ability to occasionally lift and drag heavy, injured, or deceased animals (often exceeding 100 lbs) for short distances.
Mobility and Agility: Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and climb over obstacles in challenging, uneven, or unprotected environments.
Grasping and Manual Dexterity: Fine and firm hand manipulation is required to safely operate catch poles, traps, dart guns, and other specialized animal control equipment.
Sensory Requirements: Officers must have excellent visual acuity for driving, spotting animals, and identifying behaviors, as well as normal vocal communication and hearing to interact effectively with the public.
Endurance: Must be prepared to work long shifts, respond to after-hours emergencies, and spend extensive periods standing, walking, or driving in all types of weather.

Nice To Haves

Training and/or experience in a law enforcement field
Training and/or experience in an animal care field
Additional written and spoken languages are preferred.

Responsibilities

Investigating and resolving all complaints of cruelty to animals in the City of Alexandria in a prompt and efficient manner
Enforcing all state and city laws pertaining to the humane care and control of animals.
Effectively working with attorneys, police officials, veterinarians, and others to resolve cases of animal abuse and neglect
Ensuring that everything legally possible and prudent has been done to improve the quality of life for the animal involved, alleviate their suffering, and to educate or take appropriate legal action with the animal’s custodian when answering a call
Conducting follow-up with citizens, as appropriate, to ensure continuing compliance with laws and proper animal care; inspecting and issuing all permits indicated by law
Must be willing to work after hours on call and respond to emergencies as needed
Complying with all aspects of the rabies control program
Ensuring animals who need to be captured are done so humanely, the transportation is as comfortable as possible, and that emergency first aid and/or prompt veterinary care is rendered, if appropriate
The removal and handling of deceased animals.
Ability to obtain euthanasia certification within one year of employment. After certification, be able to safely and humanely euthanize wildlife and companion animals when needed. Must have the ability to safely handle drugs for the purpose of humane euthanasia and accurately calculate drug dosages and track the use of these drugs for reporting purposes.
Properly operating and maintaining City issued animal control vehicles, ensuring that vehicles are supplied with all necessary equipment and are maintained in a sanitary manner, and verify if inspections are current
Maintaining a polite, professional, and informative demeanor for other staff members, veterinarians, police department officials, attorneys, representatives from other agencies, and the general public
Administrative duties including but not limited to, writing accurate and timely reports on all work activities, entering and updating all animal records in a timely manner, and participating in community programs to promote the humane treatment of all animals.
Other duties as assigned to support the AWLA’s mission