CLASSIFICATION DETAILS

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DEPARTMENT: Animal Control

HIRING AUTHORITY: Director

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (40 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 am but may change based on the needs of the facility.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Animal Control Division is seeking candidates that strive to enrich our team orientated department and high caliber of Officers. Animal Control Officers are responsible for protecting the health and safety of our residents, and protecting animals and promoting their humane treatment. Animal Control Officers have a commitment to Public Education on responsible pet ownership. The position requires a high degree of independent judgement and decision making to prioritize assignments and activities while out in the field. Animal Control Officers have the ability to work with many different animals, such as domestic and wild animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, pocket pets, horses, livestock, raccoons, skunks, waterfowl and birds of prey. Animal Control Officers should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be self-motivated, and a team player.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Enforces local, state, and federal laws and ordinances concerning the care, treatment, selling, licensing and impounding of animals.

Patrols assigned County areas for stray animals and disposes of deceased animals.

Investigates animal bites, cruelty and other complaints and issues citations, warnings and warrants.

Prepares investigative reports that may be introduced as legal court evidence.

Appears for scheduled court dates and testifies regarding civil infractions, misdemeanors and felony charges.

Identifies impounded animals and prepares daily impounding slips.

Performs humane euthanasia and prepares animals for rabies testing.

Provides care for animals according to established schedules and procedures.

Maintains logs and activity reports on a daily basis.

Operates an assigned County vehicle to perform assigned duties.

Performs inspections of kennels, horseback riding stables and pet stores.

Transports animals for veterinary procedures.

Handles various types of animals including but not limited to domestic, wild, farm and livestock animals that are living or deceased.

Assists the public, in the field and at the Animal Control facility, with questions regarding animal care, laws, ordinances and regulations.

Sanitizes and maintains animal cages, kennels, pens and yards and reports any problems.

Inspects and sanitizes department vehicles and equipment daily and reports any problems.

Required to travel to attend mandatory training, conferences or other events.

Required to participate in on-call rotation as directed.

Works mandatory overtime as directed, including weekends and holidays.

Works a flexible schedule as determined by operation demands.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel
• Obtain certification by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as an Animal Control Officer within six-month probationary period
• Obtain certification in performing euthanasia and tranquilization techniques within the six-month probationary period
• As a condition of hire, certification in Level 1 and Level 2 from the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) must be successfully completed within eighteen months from the date of hire

Preferred Education and Experience

• Three or more years of animal control experience

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Animal health and well-being
• Law enforcement techniques, principles and practices
• Local, state and federal animal laws and of court procedures
• Handling and caring for animals
• Animal euthanasia methods
• Tranquilization medications, methods and techniques

Skill in:

• Physical agility and stamina
• Active Listening
• Interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Service orientation
• Speaking

Ability to:

• Determine breeds, species, sex and age of animals
• Recognize signs of animal illness, neglect, abuse and cruelty.
• Restrain and capture animals and the ability to interpret animal body language.
• Comply with laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and follow orders of superior officers.
• Maintain composure under stressful situations.
• Adapt behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected situations
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information
• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889 bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.