Job Summary: Under the general supervision of the Support Services Lieutenant, the Animal Control Officer is responsible for carrying out tasks required to enforce animal control laws and regulations. Work involves responsibility for the operation of animal control vehicles and picking up animals not conforming with established laws and regulations, holding, and/or disposing of animals.

Education/Training/Experience Requirements:

1. High School diploma or equivalent.

2. Certified Basic Animal Control Officer by the Texas Department of Health within one year of employment.

3. Ability to obtain euthanasia certification within one year of employment.

4. A valid Class “C” Texas driver’s license is required.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Enforces animal control laws.

2. Patrols City to capture and impound stray animals.

3. Answers calls regarding animal control issues.

4. Picks up dead and injured animals.

5. Handles complaints concerning stray animals.

6. Disposes of animals as required.

7. Cares for animals during intake and assists with providing medical care as needed.

8. Prepares and maintains necessary records and reports by documenting adoptions, euthanasia and returns to owner.

9. Takes law enforcement action by issuing citations, entering various properties, working with law enforcement to obtain search and seizure warrants and testifying in court.

10. Engages with the public on a daily basis.

11. Supports adoptions and rescue of animals.

11. Manages the shelter duties such as maintaining cleanliness and sanitation of the shelter, handling animal adoptions, and collecting fees.

12. Processes lost and found reports and returns to owners.

13. Counsels and educates the public in being a responsible pet owner to include reducing the number of animals at large and sustaining a sterilization program within the community.

14. Operates a multi-line phone system.

15. Maintains work area and animal area in a clean, orderly and professional appearance at all times.

16. Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

17. Represents the shelter in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

18. Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff recognizing their individual contributions to the success of the organization and City.

19. Trains volunteer staff on shelter operation policies, tasks and animal care

110. Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of care and handling of animals and animal laws/regulations.

2. Knowledge of the geography of the city.

3. Knowledge and skills of basic computer operation.

4. Skills to detect diseased animals and animals running at-large.

5. Ability to work independently and to show independent judgment within established guidelines.

6. Ability to read and interpret regulations governing animal control.

7. Ability to appropriately and effectively communicate with the public and fellow employees in a tactful, considerate manner.

8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public concerning humane treatment for animals.

Physical Demands/Work Environment: Lifting up to 50 pounds (i.e. animals, feed, cages, carcasses, etc.). Standing, bending, lifting and pursue stray animals.

Some evening and weekend work is required.

HIPAA Compliance Statement All employees who have access to health information whose confidentiality is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule must have an understanding and knowledge of the Privacy Rule that corresponds to their job responsibilities. Employees who violate the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

E.O.E. The City of Mount Pleasant prohibits job discrimination for reasons of a person's ethnic origin, political association, religion, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, gender identity, pregnancy, spirituality, belief, disability, military/veteran status, genetic information, and age, which has no bearing on their qualification, performance, and ability.