Community Service Officer

Department: Police non-sworn | Reports to: Community Service Officer - Supervisor | FLSA Status: Full-Time Non-Exempt (hourly)

About the role

Under limited supervision, performs non-commissioned functions under the umbrella of the Cañon City Police Department enforcing municipal ordinance violations, animal welfare duties, and parking enforcement throughout the City of Cañon City.

Responsibilities

• Investigates complaints of municipal code violations and takes necessary enforcement actions according to the department’s policy and procedures.
• Proactively patrols city streets, alleyways, parking lots, and parks to identify potential municipal code, animal welfare, or parking violations and resolve identified issues according to policy and procedure.
• Notifies property owners or involved parties of violations and corrective actions needed. Documents all situations and actions taken by the officer or property owner.
• Maintains knowledge of City ordinances and laws as well as department and City of Cañon City policies and procedures.
• Testifies in court as needed regarding municipal code and animal welfare matters.
• Researches property ownership using maps, assessor GIS records, or by other means necessary.
• Writes reports, takes photographs, and follows up on cases.
• Enforces City ordinances and state laws relating to animal control and welfare. Investigates reports of animals at large, cruelty, and neglect. When necessary, captures at-large animals and transports them to the animal shelter. If the situation warrants, issues summons to appear in court and transports animals for medical attention.
• Mediates neighborhood disputes over animal issues.
• Provides information to and educates the public concerning the wellbeing of pets and livestock.
• Removes dead animals, when necessary, from public roadways.
• Consults with prosecutors and attorneys and testifies in court as required.
• Provides excellent customer service to external and internal customers including but not limited to effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow-up as needed.
• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents or injury.
• Attends or completes training, seminars, and meetings as required.
• Performs related duties as established by law or ordinance or as reasonably directed by the City.
• Works special events and varying shifts as assigned, which can include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Works a four-day workweek on a rotational basis of either Sunday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Saturday but will flex to working additional days and hours based on seasonal, organizational, or event needs.
• Attends occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events after normal work hours.
• Travels within the City of Cañon City and Fremont County as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Colorado Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within sixty (60) days of hire, with a driving record acceptable to the City of Cañon City.
• Basic code enforcement certification within two (2) years of hire.
• Basic animal welfare certification within two (2) years of hire.
• Advanced code enforcement certification within two (2) years of hire.
• Advanced animal welfare certification within two (2) years of hire.
• Prior experience in customer service or in a position dealing with the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in law or regulatory enforcement, veterinary technician, or related field.
• Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Veterinary Science.
• Basic code enforcement certification.
• Basic animal welfare certification.
• Advanced code enforcement certification.
• Advanced animal welfare certification.

Skills

• General knowledge of the mission, policies, goals, and procedures of the City of Cañon City and the Cañon City Police Department.
• Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to municipal code enforcement, parking enforcement, and animal control and welfare.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to evaluate animals for sickness and injury.
• Ability to apprehend dogs and nuisance animals. Skilled in utilizing and maintaining tools and equipment used for apprehension.
• Ability to enforce ordinances and write summons and reports.
• Skilled in mediating neighborhood disputes over municipal code, parking, and animal issues.
• Skilled in providing animal care and control information to the public.
• Willingness and ability to remove dead animals from public roadways.
• Ability to keep code enforcement/animal welfare vehicles clean and regularly maintained.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Familiar with basic computer functions. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Knowledge of basic office equipment including but not limited to copiers and office phone systems.
• Ability to build effective relationships as needed with employees, government officials, contractors, vendors, and the public.
• The ability to work independently or in a team environment.

Physical Demands

• Travel within the City of Cañon City and Fremont County.
• Work both indoors and outdoors.
• Lifting, pulling, carrying, and pushing objects approximately 50 pounds.
• Frequent bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, and hearing.
• Occasional climbing on stairs.
• Communicates verbally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public in one-on-one settings, group settings, and over the telephone.
• May be exposed to loud noises, unpleasant environments, foul odors, and hazardous work environments.
• Regularly required to apprehend and subdue animals and occasionally exposed to hazardous and potentially lethal situations and animals, including exposure to diseases, vicious animals, traffic, and adverse weather conditions including excessive heat and cold.

Pay

$24.25 - $29.71 per hour

Additional Information

• This position may be subject to a pre-employment drug test prior to hire or reasonable suspicion testing after hire.
• The City of Cañon City maintains a strict drug-free workplace policy. The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs while on company property or performing job duties is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Although marijuana and its derivatives are considered legal in the state of Colorado, they are still considered a Schedule I controlled substance under the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act, making their use, possession, or distribution illegal for City of Cañon City employees.
• Frequent extension of the workday to meet deadlines.