Animal Control Supervisor

About the Role

Join Missoula County in making a meaningful impact, where your work supports our vibrant community, promotes public service, and contributes to a better future for all. This position supervises and leads Animal Control Officers for the Missoula Animal Services program of Missoula Public Health to ensure the health and safety of domestic animals and the community.

Rate of Pay

$36.56+ per hour, DOE

Job Type

Regular, Full-time

Department

Health, Animal Control Division

Bargaining Unit

Non-Union, Personnel Plan

Responsibilities

• Provides supervision, direction, and leadership for Animal Control Officers (Officers)
• Responsible for staff hiring, termination, training, professional development, and performance reviews
• Assigns work and tracks performance of the team and employees
• Meets regularly with staff to set priorities, foster a productive and cooperative work environment, share team progress toward goals, and provide feedback and other information
• Assists with rule interpretation and problem-solving
• Coordinates administrative and judicial enforcement activities; monitors enforcement activities and helps Officers resolve cases
• Works with City and County civil and criminal attorneys on animal-related cases
• Builds relationships with local law enforcement
• Develops relevant policies and procedures with input from staff
• Evaluates and implements staff safety measures
• Creates and oversees individualized training plans for new Officers
• Provides professional development opportunities for staff
• Reviews Officer reports, logs, and other documents
• Ensures Animal Services policies, protocols, and standards are met
• Oversees and performs officer dispatch
• Manages fleet of Animal Control Officer trucks
• Ensures maintenance of vehicles and equipment
• Performs the duties of an Animal Control Officer, including responding to calls, capturing stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals, transporting animals to and from the shelter and veterinarian offices, following up on permitting and licensing, investigating reports of animal bites, attacks, and cruelty, educating the public, and gaining compliance with relevant animal code, issuing warnings and citations
• Assists shelter attendants with animal care and feeding, impounding, releasing, kennel cleaning and maintenance, euthanasia, adopting, licensing, medicating, and immunizing animals
• Represents Animal Control Officers and serves as a liaison to elected officials and the public, including the business community, civic organizations, school groups, media, and state, federal, and local government agencies
• Prepares and presents information to elected officials and the Animal Control Board
• Serves as a member of the Health Department management team
• Participates in quality improvement projects and strategic work plans
• Works within the incident command structure during emergencies

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred; degrees well suited for the position include law enforcement, wildlife management, animal science, and public administration
• Two years of experience in animal control, law enforcement, code compliance, animal welfare, or related field
• One year of experience in direct staff supervision or managing complex projects

Special Requirements

• Valid Montana Driver's License
• Pre-employment physical exam, driving history check, and criminal background check
• New employees will be asked to volunteer vaccination status for required vaccines upon hire and will be offered assistance during hiring to receive necessary immunizations. Employees who have not received the vaccines required for their positions or who are unwilling to voluntarily provide vaccination status for required vaccines will receive a reasonable accommodation where such accommodation does not require an undue hardship or endanger the health or safety of any person.

Physical/Environmental Demands

• Driving a county vehicle, riding a bicycle, and patrolling on foot
• Capturing and transporting animals that may be injured, fearful, or vicious
• Occasional heavy lifting (up to 100 lbs.), bending, crouching, and crawling in restricted space
• Travel to private property or residences; exposure to emotional people in tense situations
• Potential exposure to animal bites, blood, or body fluids; may require defending oneself against physical attack
• Use of protective clothing or gear
• May require working weekend and evening hours, occasional holidays, or serving in an on-call capacity
• Working outdoors with exposure to extreme weather and hazardous driving conditions