Animal Control Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Do you love animals? Working with people? We are seeking a Full-Time Animal Control Officer at our Animal Care and Control facility to represent our core values and support our mission. We offer competitive compensation and a generous benefits package for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, employee pet care discounts and more! For more information, please visit us online at .

POSITION SUMMARY

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s (‘the GBHS”) Animal Control Officers (“the Officers”) work to ensure a safe and harmonious environment for both human and animal residents of the community. They respond to dispatches to provide animal rescue, municipal and public assistance with animal-related situations and enforcement of state and local statutes as outlined in GBHS’ contracts with Jefferson County and a number of the county’s municipalities. This position is subject to stand-by or call-out service (after hours).

PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS

The Officers:

• Reports to the Animal Control Field Services Supervisor and serves as a member of the animal care and control team.

• Works closely with the intake coordinator, impoundment, dispatch and animal care team to ensure correct intake data is given and that animals are accurately identified, recorded, and placed in kennels.

• Interacts daily with veterinarians, clinic technicians, veterinary student externs, volunteers, the general public, and law enforcement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Pick up and remove stray, injured, unwanted, diseased, neglected or abused animals.

• Responsible for animal welfare and proper confinement or disposition.

• Work with veterinarians and citizens in quarantine of suspected diseased animals.

• Respond to citizen complaints and investigate alleged violations of animal laws and regulatory ordinances.

• Educate citizens about services, resources, laws and regulations relating to the control, confinement, vaccination, adoption, shelter, and care of animals.

• Patrol assigned areas to catch, handle, restrain, confine, transport and impound stray, injured, unwanted, diseased, neglected or abused animals using specialized equipment, methods and techniques.
  Visually inspect animals to determine medical condition, care received and to decide on the most appropriate course of action to be taken to prevent inhumane treatment of animals.

• Issue warnings or citations and set up return inspection calls to ensure compliance with laws and ordinances.

• Conduct investigations and prepare written reports of incidents.

• Prepare accurate detailed records of daily activities and update the information of each call within the computerized program on a daily basis.

• Assist with training new employees.

• Testify in court as a witness in animal control related cases.

• Perform humane euthanasia, if requested and if certified.

• Receive and dispatch calls for service.

• Assist in maintaining the shelter by performing such duties as recovery of animals, cleaning, feeding and other duties that may be required.

• Observe areas of alleged violations and interview available witnesses to determine if laws are being violated.

• Participate in educational programs presented to the community.

• Attain animal care and control licenses and certifications as required by Supervisor and GBHS.

• Represents the GBHS in a professional manner in all situations.

• Perform other duties as needed.
  

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• A passion for the mission of GBHS and a sense of humor are required.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

• Possess a valid Driver’s License and safe driving record

• Must have reliable transportation to and from work, punctual attendance is required

• Must be available to work weekdays/weekends with rotating on call shifts.

• Must have the equivalent 1+ years in animal control or a related field (vet tech, etc.); or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Must have or be able to obtain within 1 year of employment; Level 1 & 2 National Animal Control Association Training (or equivalent), Animal Control Officer Certification, Euthanasia Certification.

• Ability to perform physical work involving standing for long periods, carrying animal crates, bending, scrubbing, mopping, walking quickly, reaching, squatting, and lifting up to 75 pounds with reasonable accommodation in a timely manner.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• A positive attitude and ability to get along with others.

• Ability to promote and effectively communicate animal adoption and population control to other employees and the public.

• Ability to operate office equipment and computers
  

PREFERRED

• Knowledge of animal handling and communication.

• Experience working in a kennel environment.

• Knowledge of animal control rules, regulations, ordinances and state law.

• Knowledge of safe, humane animal handling practices, the ability to perform safe, humane euthanasia practices in accordance with state law.

WORK CONDITIONS

This work is performed in a high noise level area. Exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, zoonotic (human to animal) diseases, bites and scratches. Weekend shifts may be required. Safety procedures must be adhered to at all times. Indoor/Outdoor in all weather types, as need arises. The ability to interface with angry/upset people, while remaining professional and calm.

Must be able to work in an environment that provides humane euthanasia to animals. Physical Demands: Ability to perform physical work in adverse environmental conditions; employee must be able to lift 50lbs or 75lbs with reasonable accommodation.

The GBHS is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of GBHS to provide EEO to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Must be available to work weekdays/weekends with rotating on call shifts.