Duties & responsibilities
Animal Control Officers will follow the chain of command by reporting to the Animal Protective Services Coordinator. Animal Control Officers will coordinate with the Animal Protective Services Coordinator, Director of Operations, Shelter Manager and Chief Executive Officer on large scale events or seizures that require additional scheduling. Animal Control Officers do not supervise other staff.
(These duties are a representative sample; position assignments and detailed work instructions may vary.)
Reports to: Animal Protective Services Coordinator
Hours: Typically ten hour rotating work days, with rotating on-call days. Overtime and/or holiday work may be required and will be paid at time and a half. (Schedule is Subject to Change at the discretion of management)
Salary: (Based on Education/Experience)
Non-exempt
Responsibilities of an Animal Control Officer is to investigate and enforce Pennsylvania State laws and local ordinances related to the confinement and control of dogs, initiating and monitoring Bite Quarantines and transporting lost and found canines from citizens and Police. This can include issuing warnings and citations as well as appearing in court to prosecute citations issued. Animal Control Officers also assist in APS Humane Police matters and Local and State Police matters as well.
All of the following are to be performed while adhering to the Brandywine Valley SPCA Employee Handbook and operational policies, safety rules and procedures:
- Serves as a public representative of the Brandywine Valley SPCA, demonstrating a positive attitude, professionalism, courtesy, tact and discretion in all interactions with other employees and with the public.
- Responds promptly to routine complaints concerning animal problems or violations of animal control ordinances, including but not limited to:
- Dogs at large
- Animal bites (Dog on Dog & Dog on Human)
- Animal cruelty
- Injured animals
- Confined Stray Animals
- Barking Dogs/Excessive Noise
- Responds to citizen calls for service, complaints and request from other agencies.
- Transport animals to Brandywine Valley SPCA Shelter facility.
- Attempts to locate stray animals’ owners and obtain information necessary to satisfy complaint and insure that regulations are enforced.
- Handles questions, complaints and concerns regarding animal control, treatment and care.
- Advises citizens on responsibilities of animal ownership.
- Accesses the Brandywine Valley SPCA Pet Point Data Base.
- Maintains contact with supervisory personnel to coordinate investigative activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about animal control activities.
- Assists in preparation of written and oral reports involving investigated cases, monitoring and maintaining active case files, requiring basic English grammar, punctuation, report and letter composition skills using office equipment including a computer.
- Assists with preparation and maintenance of daily and monthly activities logs for submission to and review by supervisor.
- Ensures any correspondence, phone calls, contacts, or anything concerning a case, gets documented by entering all the information into the case file.
- Ensures completed case file is printed and turned into the supervisor for approval.
- Operates various equipment including animal control vehicle, animal capture equipment, radio, camera, self defense equipment, i.e. pepper spray, bite stick.
- Performs daily checks of vehicles and equipment to ensure equipment/vehicle serviceability and accountability.
- Ensures work vehicle is fueled and cleaned before end of shift.
- Ensures work vehicle is sanitized once per week per OSHA standards or after a sick or injured animal is transported.
- Performs related work as required.
- Full time presence on the job.
Qualifications
The incumbent will require the following qualifications to perform this job successfully.
- Must have a High School Diploma. College Coursework in criminal justice, animal science and/or certification from the National Animal Control Association (NACA) Training Academy or similar training program is strongly preferred but not required.
- Must have excellent verbal and strong writing skills, be able to speak and read in English and communicate with the public in a consistently positive, educational manner. Ability to communicate in Spanish is desired.
- Must have basic knowledge of dog breeds, cats and animal behavior.
- Must be medically and psychologically fit to execute duties in the presence of any species of animal for extended periods of time.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other windows software.
- Must have excellent organizational skills and accuracy skills, and problem-solving skills.
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Must be able to pass a drug screening and background check with NO criminal history, and agree to and pass random drug testing at the discretion of the organization.
Knowledge, Skills and Ability
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and task satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Knowledge of BVSPCA Division of Animal Protective Services policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of municipality animal control ordinances and Pennsylvania Dog Laws.
- Ability to use a computer to record daily activity and summarize case information in a concise manner.
- Knowledge of animal identification, behaviour and ability to use humane control methods and techniques.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee holding this position. Employees may be required to execute other job-related duties required by their supervisor.
Working Conditions
Animal Control Officers perform certain assigned work outdoors in all weather conditions and hazardous driving conditions. In addition, the position potentially involves exposure to highly unpleasant and disagreeable circumstances including cruelty to animals, animal remains, injured or dangerous animals, and unclean conditions. The work also involves considerable exposure to disagreement or controversy and situations involving conflict, anger, verbal abuse and some potential for violence.
