ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
DEFINITION:
Under the general supervision of a supervisory official in a local government agency or institution , handles, captures and, when necessary, humanely destroys wild and strayed domesticated animals and birds; cares for impounded animals; cleans and maintains the impounding facility; may take the lead over one or more Assistant Animal Control Officers; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Patrols the streets, captures, and impounds stray animals, wild game, birds, and unlicensed dogs.
Cares for and feeds animals in the public pound and observes their physical condition and behavior.
Contacts veterinarian when necessary.
Uses nets, traps, or tranquilizer gun to capture wild animals or strayed domesticated pets.
Captures and impounds animals suspected of being rabid and observes their physical condition.
Destroys rabid animals in a humane way and takes their remains to State Health Clinic for analysis.
Handles complaints regarding wild and stray animals, and licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals.
Enforces the rabies control program and issues summons for violations of local or state animal control ordinances.
Cleans and maintains sanitation of the impounding facility; washes and scrubs the facility, cleans up feces and urine, and dips and bathes animals, to rid them of fleas and ticks.
Promotes the adoption of animals and arranges for their spaying and neutering.
Where authorized to serve as the designated Humane Law Enforcement Officer for the jurisdiction, investigates, signs complaints, arrests violators, and otherwise acts as an officer for the detection, apprehension, and arrest of offenders against animal welfare and animal cruelty laws and ordinances.
Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Maintains essential records and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of experience in animal control.
NOTE: The experience requirement is applicable ONLY in those jurisdictions where an Assistant Animal Control Officer is also employed. Applicants seeking employment in jurisdictions where only the Animal Control Officer title is used do not have to meet this experience requirement.
NOTE: In jurisdictions where the Animal Control Officer serves as the designated, authorized Humane Law Enforcement Officer, appointees will be required to satisfactorily complete a Police Training Commission (PTC) approved animal protection law enforcement training course within one year of designation as a Humane Law Enforcement Officer. Such training includes successful attainment of a satisfactory level of proficiency in the use of firearms on a semi-annual basis.
LICENSE:
Possession of a current and valid certificate as an Animal Control Officer issued by the New Jersey Department of Health.
NOTE: Appointees may be required to complete a course and obtain certification in the Chemical Immobilization of Animals.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to handle and capture stray and wild animals, and birds.
Knowledge of the types of equipment used in animal control.
Knowledge of the common communicable diseases of domesticated and wild animals and the methods of control.
Knowledge of the methods used to care for and feed impounded animals.
Knowledge of the humane methods used to destroy stray and wild animals, and birds.
Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
Ability to capture and impound animals.
Ability to feed and care for animals.
Ability to promote the adoption of animals.
Ability to recognize sick or injured animals and to arrange for medical care.
Ability to handle complaints regarding animals and take proper remedial actions.
Ability to humanely destroy animals and birds when necessary.
Ability to enforce the jurisdiction's rabies control program.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
