Animal Control Officer

Purpose of Classification:
The purpose of this classification is to enforce Animal Control ordinances answers inquiries and promote public relations by performing the following duties. This position works under the supervision of the Special Operations Division Commander or his designee. This position has limited supervisory functions.

Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Patrols streets to locate stray animals and promptly captures animals and transports them to an animal shelter.

Responds to complaints concerning animal problems or violations of animal control ordinances including but not limited to animals running at large bites property damage or injuries.

Removes dead injured or dangerous animals from streets and residential premises.

Cares for and feeds animals in departments temporary kennels.

Performs and assists with euthanasia.

Investigates violations of animal controls ordinances and issues warnings or citations as required.

Appears in court to testify regarding animal control cases. Works closely with public interest groups and businesses to promote improved care and control of animals.

Coordinates a public relations program in order to foster public awareness of ordinances regarding animal controls and humane treatment of animals.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation; reviews completes processes forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms reports correspondence and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates a personal computer to enter retrieve review or modify data utilizing word processing spreadsheet database Internet e-mail or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Operates or uses various equipment associated with animal control and law enforcement in order to complete work assignments.

Communicates with supervisor other employees the public and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities review status of work exchange information or resolve problems.

Additional Functions:
Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Background in law enforcement or animal control experience preferred; or any equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge skills and abilities for this job. Proficiency in operating the tools and equipment listed below. Ability to learn the applicable laws ordinances and departments rules and regulations. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates peers supervisors and the public.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to meet the special requirements listed below as well as the ability to learn City geography.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina drivers license throughout
employment. Euthanasia Certification within 12 months. National Animal Control Academy (Levels 1 and 2) certification
or equivalent preferred.
Specific Knowledge Skills or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn comprehend and apply all City or departmental policies practices and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Tools and Equipment Used:
Animal patrol vehicle animal capture equipment police radio baton handcuffs first aid equipment.

Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review classify categorize prioritize and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.
Equipment Machinery Tools and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment machinery tools and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference descriptive and/or advisory data and information such as accident and incident reports arrest and search warrants and investigative reports.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition subtraction multiplication and division. May include counting recording of counts and basic measuring.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory judgmental or subjective criteria as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA Compliance:
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate though not constant physical effort typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing stooping kneeling crouching crawling and prolonged standing and which may involve some lifting carrying pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors sounds odor depth texture and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt dust pollen odors wetness humidity rain fumes smoke temperature and noise extremes hazardous materials fire unsafe structures heights confined spaces machinery vibrations electric currents traffic hazards bright/dim lights toxic agents animal/wildlife attacks animal/human bites explosives firearms water hazards violence disease pathogenic substances or rude/irate customers.

The City of Orangeburg is an Equal Opportunity compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. THE CITY OF ORANGEBURG IS AN AT-WILL EMPLOYER.