Part-time Animal Control Officer

Town of Oxford•Oxford, MA

18d•$18 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Town Manager or his designee, investigate complaints from the public about animals loose in the community; when necessary, retrieve such animals through use of leashes, snares, protective gloves, traps, nets, and other specialized equipment; transport animals to the kennel; maintain such animals in the kennel, including cleaning of the kennel. Enforcement of State and Town codes related to the care, control, and licensing of animals within the Town of Oxford. Responds to and investigates calls or complaints involving domestic or wild animals, strays or animals at-large, barking and nuisance issues, including sick, injured or vicious animals. Investigates bite reports, collects and prepares specimens for laboratory analysis, issue quarantine orders, gather information and/or evidence and issue warnings or citations as appropriate for violations of animal regulations. Issue warning notices, non-criminal citations or seek criminal complaints, as appropriate to animal owners for violations and appear as a witness in District Court when circumstances require. Represent the Department in the District Court at petition hearings and hearings de novo brought under the provisions of Chapter 140 section 157. Makes regular and thorough inspections of a variety of animals located within the town limits, inspects domestic animals when there is a suspicion of contagious disease. Investigates nuisance and animal cruelty/abuse/neglect complaints; interviews witnesses, notifies owners and involved parties of animal violations and corrective actions required. Oversee pick up and disposal of dead animals. Prepares written reports and other pertinent documentation and testifies in court, generates reports and other documentation related to animal care and control as or needed. Coordinates with the police department to complete investigations relative to dangerous animals, owners, and victims as needed. Coordinates with the Town Attorney relative to the prosecution of dangerous animal complaints as needed. Enters data into software programs as applicable. Performs barn inspections. Keeps sufficient supplies on hand for the efficient operation of animal control. Provides information and materials to the public related to ordinances, care and treatment of animals, animal control, spay or neuter clinics and resources, licensing requirements, kennel permits, special permits for farm animals, and provides public education regarding animal control. May assist in coordinating rabies vaccination clinics, spay or neuter clinics, or other related programs as requested or required. Coordinate pet adoption or pet transfer to state approved rescue/shelter organizations. Perform other duties as required. Operates a town owned animal control vehicle and is responsible to schedule routine maintenance of such vehicle. Uses and maintains issued equipment related to animal care and control. Address inquires from the press in a professional manner.

Requirements

Equivalent to completion of high school
Three to five years in animal control activities
Valid Massachusetts driver's license
Training and certification as a Massachusetts Animal Control Officer or the equivalent thereof within one year of hire
KNOWLEDGE OF: General safety practices, legal liabilities and responsibilities, animal capture and restraint techniques and equipment
Symptoms, causes, procedures and reporting requirements for rabies control and other common animal diseases
State and town laws, statutes, and ordinances relating to the control, protection, licensing, impounding and disposal of animals
SKILLS REQUIRED: Exercise patience, care and compassion when dealing with animals
Establish and sustain cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies, pet rescue and care organizations, and the general public
Operate a computer including job-related software applications that apply to the work performed
ABILITY TO: Effectively and tactfully communicate with others as it relates to explaining regulations, taking enforcement action, and investigating complaints
Maintain detailed inspection records
Strenuous physical effort sometimes required; ability to lift and carry animals and/or equipment weighing more than 50 pounds
Required to bend, kneel, reach and squat
Frequent movement in and out of equipment and vehicle
Ability to use and wear personal protective equipment and clothing such as eye protection, foot and hand protection
Sufficient eyesight ( with or without corrective lenses) to perform the functions of the job such as discerning movement in brush, animal color and seeing computer screens

Responsibilities

Investigate complaints from the public about animals loose in the community
Retrieve animals through use of leashes, snares, protective gloves, traps, nets, and other specialized equipment
Transport animals to the kennel
Maintain animals in the kennel, including cleaning of the kennel
Enforcement of State and Town codes related to the care, control, and licensing of animals within the Town of Oxford
Respond to and investigate calls or complaints involving domestic or wild animals, strays or animals at-large, barking and nuisance issues, including sick, injured or vicious animals
Investigate bite reports, collects and prepares specimens for laboratory analysis, issue quarantine orders, gather information and/or evidence and issue warnings or citations as appropriate for violations of animal regulations
Issue warning notices, non-criminal citations or seek criminal complaints, as appropriate to animal owners for violations and appear as a witness in District Court when circumstances require
Represent the Department in the District Court at petition hearings and hearings de novo brought under the provisions of Chapter 140 section 157
Make regular and thorough inspections of a variety of animals located within the town limits, inspects domestic animals when there is a suspicion of contagious disease
Investigate nuisance and animal cruelty/abuse/neglect complaints; interviews witnesses, notifies owners and involved parties of animal violations and corrective actions required
Oversee pick up and disposal of dead animals
Prepare written reports and other pertinent documentation and testifies in court, generates reports and other documentation related to animal care and control as or needed
Coordinate with the police department to complete investigations relative to dangerous animals, owners, and victims as needed
Coordinate with the Town Attorney relative to the prosecution of dangerous animal complaints as needed
Enter data into software programs as applicable
Perform barn inspections
Keep sufficient supplies on hand for the efficient operation of animal control
Provide information and materials to the public related to ordinances, care and treatment of animals, animal control, spay or neuter clinics and resources, licensing requirements, kennel permits, special permits for farm animals, and provides public education regarding animal control
Assist in coordinating rabies vaccination clinics, spay or neuter clinics, or other related programs as requested or required
Coordinate pet adoption or pet transfer to state approved rescue/shelter organizations
Operate a town owned animal control vehicle and is responsible to schedule routine maintenance of such vehicle
Use and maintain issued equipment related to animal care and control
Address inquires from the press in a professional manner