The Warden is a valuable member of our animal care and Control team who acts to control rabies by handling animals, including tranquilizing, impounding and/or relocating wild animals, injured animals, vicious animals and stray animals as required. Conducts investigations into ordinance or statutory violations, and issues violation notices and tickets as appropriate. Interacts with the public and with other outside agencies and organizations representing the Lake County Health Department.

Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• 9:00AM to 5:00PM
• Work schedule consists of four weekdays and one weekend day.
• Evenings and holidays are required with a rotating on-call schedule.

• Functions as the Lake County Health Department's public contact with the community in the field regarding animal control issues. Informs the public about the laws regarding animals, bites and strays.
• Issues violation notices, warnings and tickets as required.
• Is responsible for night and weekend calls in rotation as required.
• Receives training in the tools used for animal control and thereafter is responsible for proper utilization and care of these tools, including tranquilizing guns and medications.
• Responsible for maintaining equipment, uniforms and vehicles in good working condition.
• Prepares activity reports and records of inspections, investigations, transactions and correspondence.
• Participates in making recommendations that formulate service area policies and procedures.
• Investigates complaints involving possible violations, offers advice on solutions, and makes follow-up inspections.
• Offers solutions and follow up on corrections of ordinance and code violations.
• Makes reasonable and accurate interpretations of statutes and ordinances applicable to responsibilities.
• Educates the public on environmental health issues and the public health rationale for recommendations.
• Formulates goals and objectives, establishes appropriate timelines/deadlines and balances his or her workload when involved in multiple projects.
• Acts in concert with Department of Agriculture in matters relating to livestock and other domestic animals.
• Prepares and submits specimens suspected of rabies or other zoonoses, including West Nile specimens to the appropriate laboratory.
• Patrols area of responsibility. Assists Lake County Sheriff and township officials when requested.
• Sets humane traps for animals when appropriate.
• Assists the public, community service officers, police departments, Lake County Sheriff, Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers and co-workers with impoundment and release of animals, and maintains accurate records of these transactions.
• Processes telephone inquiries and complaints from the public, other agencies and Health Department staff regarding strays, and relinquished, biting, and wild animals.
• Assists in the transfer of impounded animals to other animal control/adoption facilities.
• As required and assigned, acts as radio dispatcher, dispatching wardens to appropriate locations based upon complaints or requests from municipalities, the Sheriff’s Department, or private citizens.
• As required and assigned, conducts animal bite investigations, processes rabies registrations and works with the spay/neuter program.
• As required and assigned, assists in maintaining safe and sanitary animal housing areas.
• Assists at vaccination or micro-chip clinics.
• Performs humane euthanasia when needed.
• Performs other duties assigned.

• Requires a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Requires 1 year of experience as an animal warden or relevant experience.
• Requires a valid driver's license with appropriate classification and a satisfactory driving record.
• Requires ability to be licensed by the Department of Professional Regulation State of Illinois Certified Euthanasia Technician within 1 year of hire if not already licensed.

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found athttps://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary gradesathttps://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics