Animal Services Officer

City of Pflugerville•Pflugerville, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction of the Animal Services Supervisor or his/her designee, the Animal Services Officer will uphold the ordinances and laws regarding animal violations. Patrols within the City limits or assigned area; responds to complaints, impounds animals, provides assistance to the general public, verifies animal vaccinations, sets traps to capture wild or domestic animals, administers euthanasia drugs; May be responsible for the caring of animals at the shelter and maintaining the animal shelter. Carries out duties in accordance with established policies and procedures; exercises moderate levels of independent judgement, discretion, and initiative in the interpretation of related ordinances and laws. Interacts frequently with external public and department personnel.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent experience.
1+ years’ experience working with animals, or some combination of experience and training that provides requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities and satisfies state requirements preferred.
Valid Class C Texas driver’s license.
State Animal Control Certification within 9 months of hire.
Knowledge of safe and effective animal collection and impoundment techniques and practices.
Knowledge of City ordinances and state laws relating to areas of responsibility.
Knowledge of various breeds of dogs, cats, other domestic animals, and livestock.
Skill in utilizing a personal computer, associated software programs, including Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to establish and maintain professionally effective relationships with external public/vendors, internal management and non-management employees, and City and other government officials.
Ability to safely operate and maintain assigned City vehicles, radio and other communication devices, animal euthanasia equipment, office equipment, and animal capture and handling equipment, etc.
Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, as well as strong time and task management skills.
Ability to operate a variety of equipment including but not limited to traps and euthanasia equipment such as needles, drugs and tourniquets.

Nice To Haves

Euthanasia certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Patrol, capture and impound domestic animals and non-domestic animals that are not appropriately restrained or that are creating nuisances or health/safety hazards, as prescribed by City ordinances and the Texas Department of Health: place traps to capture problem animals.
Investigate reported complaints regarding animal abuse, animal bite instances, animal nuisances, and other violations of City ordinances and state laws; issue warnings and citations for violations: take appropriate action, including the issuance of warnings and citations as appropriate.
Provide for the humane care and feeding of animals received; maintain the animal shelter and grounds as necessary in a safe and sanitary manner; ensure adequate food is dispensed on a daily basis; provide or obtain appropriate treatment for wounded/sick animals; clean facility and grounds on an as needed basis.
Prepare required reports and apply for seizure warrants as needed.
Act as City liaison to public agencies and community organizations concerned with animal issues: provide support and assistance as applicable.
Quarantine animals suspected of biting for rabies observation.
Euthanatize and remove heads of possible rabid animals and transport lab specimens to Texas Department of Health.
Maintain animal services equipment and vehicles: implement routine schedule of required maintenance; repair or schedule the repair/replacement of faulty equipment.
Maintain required inventories of supplies, materials, and equipment: prepare requisitions; make purchases as necessary.
Train other personnel as required.
Present training on rabies awareness, bite prevention and animal care at schools, civic groups and other groups.
Euthanize animals when required.
Maintain accurate records and prepare routine and special reports regarding all aspects of duties, as specified by department or City management.
Enters data necessary for tracking complaints, animals, etc. into computer database.
Bills veterinarian clinics as needed.
Prepares and forwards specimen to State laboratory for examination.
Other duties as assigned and required.