Animal Control Officer

Department: Police • Location: Police Animal Control • Hiring range: $19.2061 per hour • Full-time, regular position

About the role

Works under the administrative supervision of the Chief of Police. Enforces City Animal Control and Park Ranger ordinances, patrols streets and parks, responds to animal-related complaints, and maintains public safety.

Responsibilities

• Enforce all City Animal Control and Park Ranger ordinances, including citation writing and court appearances.
• Patrol streets to locate and capture stray animals; transport them to an animal shelter.
• Patrol City parks to prevent vandalism, enforce ordinances, and maintain public relations.
• Check equipment operation at Parks and Recreation facilities for security.
• Respond to complaints regarding animals running at large, bites, property damage, or injuries.
• Remove dead, injured, or dangerous animals from streets and residential premises.
• Determine health status of animals and handle emergency situations independently.
• Maintain radio/telephone availability for major emergencies and coordinate with police communications.
• Perform shift work, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Patrol using motor vehicle, golf cart, bicycle, or on foot.
• Assist officers with vehicle tows, traffic control at accident scenes, and special events.
• Investigate private property non-injury accidents; take witness/victim statements and write reports for non-arrest misdemeanors.
• Maintain confidentiality of departmental information.
• Green-tag vehicles sold illegally within the city.
• Inspect business licenses and food vendors for state/local compliance.
• Renew Trespass Authority within the city.
• Turn on ball field lights and perform crossing guard duties as needed.
• Enforce priority permit holders at Parks facilities.
• Maintain departmental equipment, supplies, and facilities.
• Serve on various employee committees.

Requirements

• Subject to the City of Farmington’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy (pre-employment, post-accident, random, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing).
• Must pass an extensive background check.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid state driver’s license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.
• Working knowledge of computers and electronic data processing; proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and follow instructions.
• Excellent public relations skills.
• Ability to handle vicious animals and irate or intoxicated citizens.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Knowledge of and concern for animals.
• Previous experience as a veterinarian assistant, security guard, or in law enforcement preferred but not required.
• Ability to work varied shifts, including weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations.
• Ability to learn applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules/regulations.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public.
• Ability to work under stress, meet deadlines, and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to learn the City’s geography.

Examinations

• Oral board interview
• Polygraph examination
• Medical examination
• Extensive background investigation

Tools and Equipment Used

• Patrol vehicle, golf cart, bicycle
• Animal capture equipment (catch poles, leashes, gloves, ropes)
• Police radio, first aid equipment

Physical Demands

• Perform shift work, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Frequently required to sit, talk, or hear; occasionally stand, use hands, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds individually.
• Specific vision abilities required: close, distance, color, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Frequently works outdoors in varied weather conditions, including inclement weather and darkness.
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high or precarious places, or in wet/humid conditions.
• Moderate noise level; operates city vehicle in all types of terrain and weather.