Humane Investigator

Supervised by: Chief Investigator

About the Role

The Humane Investigator’s primary responsibility is to conduct in-depth, complex investigations on all reports of animal cruelty and neglect; to educate the public and animal owners on proper animal care and husbandry in accordance with Texas state law; to execute animal surrenders and/or animal seizure warrants; to conduct animal rescue operations; and to assist the SPCA of Texas, law enforcement, and other humane organizations in the event of a disaster.

Responsibilities

• Respond to reports of animal cruelty and neglect within allotted priority response time frames.
• Gather evidence, take detailed photos, and prepare reports in support of investigations.
• Maintain database by entering accurate information on cases.
• Work with animal owners on proper animal care and husbandry; monitor status of cases.
• Educate the public and animal owners on Texas state animal cruelty laws.
• Conduct animal surrenders and/or write and execute animal seizure warrants if animal owners are noncompliant with Texas state law requirements.
• Act as a witness in court and assist in the prosecution of cases.
• Check and clear voice messages; promptly answer and return phone calls.
• Build working relationships with law enforcement agencies, humane organizations, and members of the public in support of animal cruelty investigations and the mission of the SPCA of Texas.
• Conduct on-call responsibilities by responding to calls or additional duties as needed.
• Respond to and execute assigned duties in the event of a disaster.
• Represent the SPCA of Texas by providing excellent customer service and professionalism to law enforcement agencies, humane organizations, and members of the public.
• Actively engage with volunteers to provide support and proactively improve the volunteer program.
• Serve as an ambassador for the SPCA of Texas, sharing its work and mission with friends and family, and be knowledgeable about ways to support its work.

Job Tasks

• Maintain professionalism under stressful circumstances.
• Handle fractious animals.
• Work in environments with animal odors, extreme levels of ammonia, diseases, possible contagious conditions, bites, scratches, animal waste, and moderate noise levels.
• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Be eligible to be a “driver” for the SPCA of Texas and perform driving duties as directed, including driving an SPCA of Texas SUV, Box Truck, or livestock trailer.
• Maintain assigned work vehicle and equipment.
• Perform proper animal handling for domestic, fowl, and livestock animals.
• Protect the confidential information of the public and donors.
• Clock in and out at assigned start and end of work schedule.
• Be available for on-call duties.
• Perform additional tasks assigned by the Director of Animal Field Response.

Requirements

• TCOLE certified Peace Officer.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to employment.
• Disaster training preferred.
• Ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills to evaluate costs and benefits of potential actions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey information effectively.
• Ability to monitor and assess performance to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and process information rapidly and accurately.

Schedule

Shift times may vary and include weekend hours. The individual performing this job may be required to work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Standard hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.