Animal Control Dispatcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Control Officer

Enforces City Animal Control ordinances to ensure the safety and protection of citizens and the humane treatment of animals. Educates the public on ordinances and proper care of animals. No supervisory or budgetary responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, or diseased animals.
• Conducts investigations of complaints regarding animal cruelty and neglect; investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.
• Explains local ordinances relating to the care and control of animals, filing of complaints, and policies of the shelter to the public.
• Issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; patrols assigned areas.
• Captures stray and unlicensed animals for impounding; removes dead animals from public and private properties; transports injured animals and provides for their care.
• Testifies in court regarding citations and disposition of complaints.
• Maintains records and prepares daily reports related to work performed.
• Operates humane traps, mobile radios, cellular phones, and related animal control tools and equipment.
• Identifies basic symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary medical care to the animal owner.
• Maintains records of work performed and materials used. Assists in euthanasia of unwanted animals, cleaning kennels and building maintenance.
• Transports adopted animals to clinics for pre-release, spay/neuter procedures.
• Maintains shelter equipment and performs basic operator maintenance on vehicles. Assists Police Department, Fire Department and other city departments on special cases related to animal control. Tranquilizes vicious animals as needed.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Inventories animals, equipment, and supplies.
• Performs various office duties including answering telephone, receiving, and dispatching information on complaints, maintains records and logs of incoming animals and handling the sale and redemption of animals as needed.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Employee Behavior and Conduct

City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

Required (Essential) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to obtain the skills appropriate for the safe capture and care of all species of animals (within probationary period).
• Skills in customer service, problem solving, time management, investigation and report writing.
• Knowledge of City ordinances pertaining to animals, zoonotic diseases, sanitation & disinfectant procedures, chemical capture, and euthanasia procedures (within probationary period).
• Knowledge of appropriate care of various species of animals (within probationary period).
• Knowledge of personal property rights (within probationary period).
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Ability to work independently using good problem-solving skills and judgement.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to learn the various breeds of cats and dogs (within probationary period).
• Ability to work various hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to be on-call and respond to emergencies within an established timeframe.
• Ability to obtain certification from the Missouri Animal Control Association within 18 months of employment.
• Previous animal control experience helpful but not required.

Material and Equipment Directly Used

Operates a light truck. Uses catch tools to control animals and a two-way radio to communicate. Operates chemical capture equipment, euthanasia equipment and incinerator. Operates a personal computer and other general office materials and equipment such as a copier and fax. There may be times when use of personal vehicle may be required.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

Work is principally performed in the field with exposure to weather extremes, mostly in a vehicle setting. Some work is performed in an indoor setting with a controlled environment. Work is performed in the presence of foul odors and loud noise normally associated with the animals. Frequent exposure to uncooperative animals, potential for animal bites and scratches. Lifts as much as 75 pounds to height of four or five feet as often as once or twice per shift. Regularly lift 50 pounds to heights as high as four of five feet and carry for up to fifty feet and more than 100 pounds with assistance. Exposure to such environmental conditions as dirt, dust, ashes, heat, cold, loud noise, and sudden temperature changes. Some overnight or day travel may be required for business purposes. Vacation and other leave scheduling shall be requested of and approved by the appropriate supervisor. Officers are required to live within a 10-mile radius of the St. Joseph, Missouri corporate city limits. All Animal Control & Rescue staff are subject to on call duty in the event of a man-made or natural emergency.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required. All applicants must pass a drug screening and criminal background check prior to employment. Any job offer made by the City is contingent upon the applicant passing the drug screening and background check.