Animal Services Officer

About the Role

Under general supervision, the purpose of this position is to enforce the city ordinance regarding animal services. Employees perform technical and skilled-level work, addressing owner responsibility, nuisance complaints, and handling hurt, stray, or unwanted animals and wildlife. The role also involves enforcing state laws pertaining to rabies and performing related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the city for compliance with animal ordinances and respond to public calls involving animal cruelty, neglect, dangerous dogs, animals at large, lost, stray, sick, injured animals, barking dogs, unwanted wildlife, loose livestock, and removal of deceased animals.
• Capture stray, vicious, injured, or sick animals; return them to owners if possible or transport them to the shelter for impound.
• Work closely with partner agencies contracted to operate the shelter and provide medical care to animals under the city’s care.
• Ensure public compliance with the city’s rabies vaccine requirements through education and enforcement.
• Answer inquiries and educate the public on city ordinances, general pet care, and responsible pet ownership.
• Handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments in a humane and respectful manner.
• Investigate and cite violations and criminal offenses of animal ordinances and related laws.
• Participate in court preparation and testify in municipal and circuit court for criminal cases.
• Write reports and maintain investigative records and evidence in accordance with department policy.
• Collaborate with sworn personnel on investigations into animal crimes and assist on police calls involving animal impoundment.
• Prepare and present animal welfare presentations to schools, clubs, agencies, media, and the general public.
• Assist and coordinate with other city departments, law enforcement agencies, and private organizations on animal-related issues.
• Support and respect diversity in the workplace and contribute to a supportive environment for all employees.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Basic Animal Control and Euthanasia certifications, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to pass a physical appropriate to the physical demands of the position.
• Must possess and maintain a Class C Driver’s License in good standing.
• Ability to respond to call outs within 30 minutes; on-call and alternate working shifts, including weekends, may be required.
• May be required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccinations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bi-Lingual (Spanish-English) preferred.
• Animal handling experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a drug screen and background check.
• Must have a Class C Texas Driver’s License.

Physical Demands

Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach animals. Frequently lift, move, and carry animals and/or supplies weighing up to 100 pounds. Requires firm grasping and wrist extension and rotation on a frequent basis.

Work Environment

Frequently exposed to loud noise, such as barking dogs and other animal noises. Works both outdoors and indoors, subject to variable weather conditions, and exposure to animal bites, scratches, and potentially infectious diseases or allergies.