The Animal Control Manager is responsible for supervising the employees that are assigned to animal control activities. Responsible for managing the responses to animal complaints from county residents and law enforcement. This position responds to rabies issues with wild animals, domestic cats, and dog bites, as well as any public health and safety issues that are animal-related.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Enforces the provisions of all applicable animal control codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; issues warning notices or citations as appropriate.
- Manages responds to incoming calls concerning various animal issues, such as animal bites, potential animal cruelty/abuse, animals in distress, stray/nuisance animals, barking dogs, wild/dangerous animals, sick/injured animals, loose livestock, animal behavior problems, or animal control laws; provides information and assistance; mediates/resolves citizen disputes; conducts investigations and performs follow-up as appropriate.
- Responsible for investigating complaints of animal bites or animal cruelty; files animal bite/cruelty reports; makes recommendations on whether court action is appropriate for animal cruelty cases; assists the county attorney in preparing for court cases and participates in court activities as needed.
- Supervises the patrolling of roads to locate and pick up stray animals and to look for animal control violations; enforces lease laws and rabies inoculations. Assists animals in problem situations; captures domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals; sets animal traps; loads animals into cages; transports animals to the animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations; relocates displaced wildlife; assists law enforcement by removing animals from accident scenes or crime scenes.
- Supervise the investigation where animals are impounded by scanning the animal for microchip or rabies tag information and by canvassing the area and attempting to locate owners. If the owner is found, assist, educate, or issue citations to the owner to ensure proper enforcement of county ordinances while increasing return-to-owner rates.
- Processes captured animals; handles, lifts, and carries animals, restraining as appropriate; handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals; checks animals for signs of rabies, disease, or other illnesses; quarantines exposed animals; assigns and transports animals to kennels; prepares and maintains all related documentation.
- Maintains current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new procedures, trends, and advances in the profession; attends conferences, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.
- Operates a variety of equipment associated with animal control activities, which may include an animal control truck, animal restraint equipment, chemical immobilization equipment, animal traps or other tools, a personal computer, general office equipment, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
- Works 911 after-hours calls on a rotating schedule as assigned
- Other duties as assigned. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- High School Diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Experience with animals preferred
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to organize tasks and daily assignments efficiently.
- Carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to maintain confidence around animals
- Strong working knowledge of county codes and ordinances.
- General safety rules and regulations pertaining to duties.
- Must be able to drive a pick-up truck with an animal cage attachment on the bed.
- The accumulated knowledge of and compassion for domestic animals and wildlife.
- Demonstrated capability to be a self-starter, facilitator, organizer, and innovator.
- Ability to plan and implement projects with little supervision and must be able to work independently.
- Provide excellent customer service to citizens at all times and especially in stressful circumstances by providing friendly interaction with clients and animals and ensuring customer satisfaction.
- ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must be able to communicate effectively (orally and written), possess excellent presentation skills, and ability to lead discussions and meetings.
- MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Basic knowledge of math skills.
- REASONING ABILITY : Must be able to analyze data, determine trends, and apply the results. Ability to anticipate reactions from the public, elected officials, business community, and governmental agencies in order to manage various situations.
- Procedures and policies pertaining to duties.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- A valid driver’s license and maintaining a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).
- Euthanasia Certification Preferred
- Successful completion of NACA; National Animal Control Associations Animal Control Officer Certification Level 1 within 12 months of employment
- Successful Completion of NACA; National Animal Control Associations Animal Control Officer Certification level 2 within 18 months of employment
- Successful Completion of certification for Certified Animal Chemical Capture within 12 months of employment
- Successful Completion of the Fear Free certification program within 24 months of employment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Animal Control Officer‘s job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential function of this job.
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to regularly stand for extended periods, frequently walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch, and lift or move up to 35 pounds frequently and 75 pounds occasionally. Pulling, pushing, tugging, and towing when transporting animals by leash or in cages is also performed on a frequent basis. Some larger canine breeds may exceed 100 pounds. Larger animals should always be handled by two or more staff members.
Exposure to dangerous animals, animal bites, and scratches is frequent so the need for restraint of temperamental, aggressive, and sick animals will occur on a regular basis. The physical agility and mental acuity to handle these sudden and potentially dangerous situations are a must, especially when euthanasia is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually exposed to a noise level that is moderate to loud/frequent. Use of and exposure to strong cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, other allergens, and zoonotic disease occurs daily. Works both inside and outside all year round in various weather conditions. Part of the job requires working without the aid of air conditioning and heating for periods of time.
This position also required some work on weekends and holidays.
STANDARDS FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE
- Successful development and implementation of objectives; continuous growth in service provided.
- Ability to work alone or with a team.
- Appropriate and positive interaction with staff, management, volunteers, community groups, professional associates, and private citizens.
- The accomplishment of job functions in an effective and timely manner.
- Effectiveness in establishing priorities, working on multiple assignments, and concurrent projects.
- Exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines.
- Demonstrated ability to thoroughly analyze problems to meet demanding and changing deadlines despite interruptions.
- Adherence to established policies and procedures.