Animal Control Officer

Under general supervision, performs public safety work in the enforcement of local ordinances and statutes related to the control of animals for the Animal Services & Control Department. Work involves capturing, confining, returning, and humanely euthanizing stray, diseased, vicious and nuisance animals; maintaining records pertaining to collection of animals and animal activity; and enforcing animal laws and ordinances. Employee must exercise independent judgment and initiative in ensuring proper capture of animals. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with animal owners and the general public. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of animal control work. Reports to the Operations Supervisor.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Responds to calls for service in assigned area of the County to ensure public compliance with state and county animal control laws; explains animal control laws to citizens and answers questions; notes violations of animal control laws and issues citations or warnings to citizens, and picks up or otherwise controls stray animals, as needed; captures and confines stray, diseased and bothersome animals, including domestic and wild animals, livestock and fowl; impounds animals and places them within the animal shelter according to size, sex, needs, and circumstances involved in pick-up; reports diseased or injured animals to shelter veterinarian; uses traps and/or firearms equipped with tranquilizing ammunition to subdue animals, as necessary.

                                                                                            

Receives and investigates cases of animal cruelty and neglect; completes extensive, detail oriented reports; appears in court and testifies, as needed; investigates animal bite cases and ensures that confinement of such animals is proper and complete according to public health law; prepares diagnostic specimens for testing by State labs.

 

Humanely euthanizes and disposes of animals, as appropriate. 

 

Prepares a variety of reports, including animals collected and confined, animal bites, poultry and livestock damage caused by other animals, animals destroyed by department, etc.; maintains routine activity reports.

 

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Assists shelter staff and local veterinarians in conducting periodic rabies vaccination clinics for the public; collects monthly vaccination reports from local veterinarians.

 

Picks-up and properly disposes of dead animals, as necessary. 

 

Maintains County-owned vehicle.

 

Will be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays on a rotating schedule, or as assigned.

 

Subject to emergency callback in the event of a disaster or other local emergency.

 

Performs other related work as required.

                                               

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 

Graduation from High School and six (6) month’s work experience involving customer experience or contact with animals; or any equivalent combination or training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver's License.  Must achieve Certification as a Euthanasia Technician, Certification as a Rabies Vaccinator, become a Licensed Notary Public, and become Firearms qualified within six (6) months of employment.  This position is designated as an authorized Motor Vehicle Operator for Iredell County and requires adherence to the Iredell County Vehicle Operations Policy.  Completion of continuing education as required by the State of North Carolina involving techniques, laws, and procedures.

 

Must reside in, or within 15 minutes minimum drive time of Iredell County or must be willing to relocate into the designated area within four (4) months from hire date.

 

Additional Certifications and Licenses Preferred

Certification in Large Animal Rescue

Certification in Bite Stick

Certification in Pepper Spray (OCAT)

NACA Animal Control Officer Certification