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Town of Vernon                                                                                                                        Department: Police
Job Title:  Assistant Animal Control Officer  
Hourly Rate: $26.20, start (range $26.20 - $28.79)
General Statement of Duties: Performs patrol and enforcement duties in an animal control program; enforces Town ordinances and Connecticut Animal Control Statutes, and laws relating to domestic animals and the control of rabies in domestic animals and nuisance wildlife. Maintains good public relations.
Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Chief of Police or Captain and takes direction from same or designee.
Supervision Exercised: May supervise volunteers. Manages animal control shelters in absence of Animal Control Officer. 
Essential Job Functions: Plans and organizes work according to authorized procedures and priorities. Responds to animal complaint calls based on priority, including dogs, cats, other domestic animals and nuisance wildlife.  Investigates vicious, diseased, or stray dogs, diseased cats, other domestic animals and nuisance wildlife.  Patrols town for stray or unlicensed dogs; captures and removes stray or vicious dogs, cats, other domestic animals and nuisance wildlife to an animal shelter.  Issue summons to violators, or makes arrests.  Arranges for return, adoption or disposal of impounded dogs, cats, other domestic animals and wildlife.  Maintains town pound and animal shelters in absence of Animal Control Officer.  Cares for, feeds and houses animals as required. Removes injured and dead dogs, cats, and other domestic animals from town roadways.  Assists in providing information to the public concerning lost, impounded, injured or abandoned animals and wildlife sightings in a timely manner.  Reports work accomplished to the Chief of Police or designee.  Keeps Animal Control Officer abreast of animal control issues that occurred and/or are ongoing.Prepares any required Police incident reports. Assists in the organization of rabies clinics and attends special clinics as assigned.  Issues temporary dog licenses for dogs adopted directly from the animal shelter.  Issues adoption certificates from the state Animal Population Control to new owners of a dog or cat from the dog pound or animal control shelter. Regularly checks Town e-mail and voicemails; maintains communications with Police Department at all times while on duty. Regular and punctual attendance. Will be on call as assigned.
Other Job Duties:  Collects fees as required. May medicate sick animals and nurse baby animals that need a boost in life.   Performs other related duties as assigned.
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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb, stoop, crouch, reach with arms and hands, walk, run, use hands to finger, handles, or feel objects, tools or controls.  Hand eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.  Must be able to operate motor vehicle and control aggressive, dangerous animals.
Hand-eye coordination required for operation of computers and various other office equipment.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds. Must occasionally push/pull 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment: The work characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high precarious places; is regularly exposed to hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals; and is frequently exposed to animal feces and noxious odors. May be exposed to zoonotic diseases.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Noise level can be loud in the animal shelter.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  Knowledge of law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment; knowledge of dogs, cats, other domestic animals and wildlife, including handling, transport, sheltering, care and feeding. Knowledge of Connecticut Animal Control Statutes and Town of Vernon ordinances related to domestic animals; knowledge of animal restraint and care techniques. Ability to obtain knowledge of other Town ordinances relative to contractual agreements with the Town of Vernon. Ability to care for domestic animals. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to supply statistical reports. Ability to foster relationships and deal effectively with officials, business owners, outside agencies, rescue organizations, employees, and the general public; ability to be tactful, courteous, diplomatic, compassionate and professional; ability to resolve conflicts; ability to deal with stressful situations involving animal cruelty and death. Ability to deal with difficult and angry people; ability to maintain self-control. Ability to make sound decisions within job scope. Ability to promote pet adoption through the animal shelter. Must be computer proficient with the ability to learn software programs specific to the job
Experience & Training: Requires a high school diploma, or GED, and two (2) years of experience in animal handling, care, or control, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Veterinarian Technician certification preferred, but not required. Must successfully complete Animal Control Officer training program mandated by the State of Connecticut within one year of employment. Requires continuing education to meet State Statutes. Annual Police Department training as mandated by the Department, including qualifying with firearms (pistols, rifles and shotguns) to Police Department standards.
License or Certificate: Must have and maintain a valid driver's license. May be required to obtain a Connecticut State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers. Full criminal background check and fingerprinting is required. This position requires a one year probationary period.
This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, functions and responsibilities which comprise this position. EOE/AA
Historical Record:
This replaces the 1995 Thompson Job Description, is in our new format and states that Officers may be required to have a State Pistol Permit (Effective for several years).
Revised: 7/28/2016; Adopted: 6/27/2017, Revised 3/30/2022; Adopted 5/3/2022