SUPERVISING ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
DEFINITION:
Under direction in a local government agency or institution, supervises personnel engaged in the capturing, caring, and when necessary, the humane destroying of wild and strayed domesticated animals and birds; cares for impounded animals; cleans and maintains the impounding facility; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; 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:
Designates assignments to animal control officers and supervises the performance of their work.
May patrol areas and give guidance and instructions in the capturing of domestic and wild animals and birds.
Handles complaints that relate to stray animals and licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals.
Where authorzed 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.
Ensures animal control officers are patrolling their assigned areas and performing their work according to established procedures.
Investigates complaints concerning stray and wild animals and determines if the use of traps is warranted.
Provides technical advice, assistance, and supervision to animal control officers.
Maintains current knowledge and understanding of pending legislation, and federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal control and treatment.
Supervises and/or is responsible for the chemical bathing of animals and isolation of sources of contagion.
Answers inquiries regarding ordinances and regulations pertaining to animal control.
Advises animal owners and others of the law and instructs them on practices and procedures required.
Contacts appropriate enforcement personnel regarding violations of federal or state animal control laws, rules, and regulations.
Promotes and oversees adoption of animals and promotes spaying and neutering.
Compiles and analyzes data for reports as may be required and reviews the reports of subordinates.
Ensures the establishment of animal control quarantines.
Prepares required periodic reports for proper authorities.
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:
Three (3) years of experience in animal control.
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 proper procedures used in capturing and caring for stray and wild animals and birds.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing the humane handling of animals.
Knowledge of proper procedures used in handling and capturing stray and wild animals and birds.
Knowledge of varied laws, regulations, and accepted means of humanely destroying stray animals.
Knowledge of common communicable diseases of domesticated and wild animals and their control.
Knowledge of the proper care and feeding of impounded animals.
Knowledge of means of destroying stray and wild animals, and birds painlessly.
Ability to maintain a compassionate attitude towards animals.
Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of other employees, provide advice, guidance, and instructions, and evaluate their job performance.
Ability to work harmoniously with citizens and others, and to promote adoption of animals.
Ability to assess status of sick or injured animals and to communicate with veterinarians in order to treat sick of injured animals.
Ability to secure facts through observation and inspection and make accurate judgments.
Ability to answer complaints regarding dogs, and other animal and bird nuisances and take proper remedial actions.
Ability to care for animals and birds sympathetically and to destroy animals and birds, when necessary, through use of accepted and recognized humane methods.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions.
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 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:
