Animal Control Officer - City of Liberal

Job Title: Animal Control Officer
Reports to: Animal Control Supervisor
Position #: 10318        
Salary Grade: 5
FLSA: FT Non-Exempt

The Animal Control Officer enforces ordinances and statutes related to the control of animals and the operation of an animal shelter. Work involves capturing, confining and euthanizing stray, diseased and dangerous animals, including domestic and wild animals, fowl and livestock. The incumbent is also responsible for assisting with the maintenance of the animal shelter to provide clean and safe conditions. Participates in the feeding, handling and provision of custodial care to animals in the shelter. The incumbent must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with animal owners and the general public. The incumbent is subject to the usual hazards of animal control work and reports to the Animal Control Supervisor. Work is subject to evaluation on the basis of results achieved.

 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Responds to citizens’ requests for service, captures and confines stray, diseased and dangerous animals; euthanizes vicious, diseased and unclaimed animals utilizing humane methods;
• Responds to observed or reported emergency situations and ordinance violations;
• Investigates cases of animal bite, cruelty, abandonment, rabies, livestock and poultry killings; ensures that confinement of such animals is proper and complete according to the law;
• Investigates cases of cruelty to animals;
• Inspects animals and their cages and pens for their health and welfare and the safety and cleanliness of their cages and pens;
• Captures and Transports animals, including those who are sick, injured or potentially dangerous;
• Performs field tranquilization on ill, injured, or dangerous domestic animals or wildlife;
• Issues citations and testifies in court;
• Counsels/educates citizens regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance requirements (leash law, registration, animal behavior, etc.);
• Decapitates animals which are suspected to have rabies or have died while in confinement;
• Patrols city, picking up animals which are in violation of State and City codes;
• Impounds animals and places them within the animal shelter according to size, sex, needs and circumstances involved in pick-up;
• Administers various vaccinations
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Performs other essential and marginal functions as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
• Capture, handling, feeding, and general care of domestic animals.
• Laws, ordinances, and procedures governing animal services operations.
• Various species of domestic animals and non-domestic animals
• Research techniques and the sources and availability of information.
• Animal breeds and behaviors.
• City of Liberal streets and roads.
• Various animal health problems and diseases.

Skill in:
• Use of tools used to capture, restrain, and transport animals.
• Resolving situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.
• Understanding of veterinarian medicine.
• Dealing with the public, including irate citizens.

Ability to:
• Carry out medical treatments as directed by a veterinarian.
• Administer subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections and to perform triage on sick or injured animals.
• Read and interpret laws and ordinances governing animal service operations.
• Develop educational programs for pet owners.
• Carry out brief, general instructions of a superior, effectively and with dispatch.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in face-to-face, one-on-one settings, in group settings, and using a telephone.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly- organized thoughts with proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

 
Working Conditions:
• Work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements.
• Travel across rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Lift and/or carry animals weighing between 20 and 100 lbs.
• Physically able to operate a motor vehicle and operate a variety of weapons.
• Office Environment; exposure to computer screens.
• Move heavy objects (50 pounds or more) short distances (20 feet or less).
• Move light objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time.
• Lift arms above shoulder level.
• Climb ladders or steps to reach objects.
• Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Additional Requirements:
• This position requires the use of a City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized by a City designated physician to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• This position is subject to the City of Liberal’s’ Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes one or more of the following: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and follow-up testing.
• Subject to a background check.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential or marginal functions.


ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
High School diploma or GED plus two years of experience in animal services or related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Schedule: 3 12-Hours shifts & a 4-hour shift per week