City of Laredo Employment – Animal Control Officer

Job Description:

Performs routine rabies control, prevention work, and impounds animals; retrieves stray and uncontrolled animals; canvasses assigned area to locate animals in violation of licensing laws; conducts rabies disease investigations, surveillance and enforcement; as well as, health education and prevention on zoonotic and vector disease; may conduct advanced animal control procedures and serves to improve pet responsibilities and reduces neglect and cruelty. Will also provide animal care facility operations including pet care, infection control, clinical care, vaccinations, feeding, and euthanasia if appropriate.

• Knowledge of current zoonotic diseases.
• Knowledge of the laws and ordinances pertaining to animal control and humane treatment of animals.
• Knowledge in the use of animal control equipment and protective devices.
• Knowledge in Epidemiology and surveillance methodology for disease prevention.
• Knowledge of animal services, including pet responsibility, pound operations, and vector control.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Must have computer knowledge skills.
• Ability to enforce local, state, and federal laws governing animal control and zoonosis.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.

Job Responsibilities:

• Takes reports and conducts investigations of animal or vector exposure seven days per week on a rotating shift.
• Conducts rabies and prevention vaccination events and promotes health promotion for disease control.
• Patrols area by driving truck to locate, identify, capture, transport, and impound unlicensed, stray, disowned, and uncontrolled animals.
• Completes accurate timely reports and records regarding animal captures, detainment, and quarantines as assessed for rabies/vector diseases.
• Investigates any animal control report, conducts surveillance of “Dog Bite Reports” and conducts inspections; records where and when incidents took place, describes the animal or vector, records address and name of victim; searches and locates animals; performs follow-up activities on dogs in a 10-day observation period; maintains accurate and complete records of the same.
• Assists in facilitation of prevention measures against animal, vector, and other zoonotic exposures.
• Enforces the City ordinance to prevent possible rabies outbreak in the community; issues citations for dogs at large; issues tickets for unvaccinated dogs and conducts investigations on animal exposures.
• Responds and inspects calls from the public regarding animals that directly affect their way of life; investigates complaints related to animals in violation of City ordinances.
• Assists with capture of hazardous, dangerous, or wild animals.
• Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with the public; projects a positive and professional image of the animal control service.
• Inspects and examines dog licenses or any other animal certification for validity of prevention measures and issues citations or summons to the owner whose animals are in violation of the same.
• Conducts surveys to assure appropriate vaccination for dog and cats.
• Assists local, regional, and state veterinarians in rabies testing; inspects and prepares specimens and remains for packaging and shipments to the Texas Department of Health laboratory in Austin for rabies analysis and other appropriate testing.
• Assists law enforcement personnel in removing confiscated and uncontrolled dogs from residences that are considered dangerous.
• Prepares and maintains daily records, investigation and surveillance files; assists in performing dispatching and related office duties.
• Appears in court hearings, discussions, conferences, and jury trials as necessary to assure appropriate compliance of City codes and ordinances.
• Assist in direct impoundment procedures, including kennel support, feeding, and euthanasia, clinics, adoption and foster care services.
• Conducts meticulous reporting and documents activities.
• Assists in maintaining good communication between staff, visitors, and other business contacts.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Work is performed inside and/or outside. Work may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and outdoor elements, such as: excessive dampness, chill, heat, humidity, intermittent noise, and inclement cold weather. Work may be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, such as: contagious infectious disease, irritating chemicals, life-threatening situations, dry atmosphere, solvents, dirt, dust, constant noise, and slippery/uneven walking surfaces. Capable of working closely with others or alone, working long or irregular working hours, working shift work and/or weekends, working with protective devices, working around moving objects or vehicles, working around machines with moving parts and objects, and traveling by car 5% of the time. Ability to operate a motor vehicle and mechanical equipment; Work requires light to heavy carrying and lifting (under 15 pounds up to 45 pounds and over), straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, simple grasping, dual simultaneous grasping, repeated bending, sitting, standing, pushing, crouching, crawling, twisting, kneeling, stooping, climbing ladders, walking, and reaching above shoulders. Ability to see, write, read, count, identify shade of colors, perceive depth, and hearing is needed to perform the essential functions of this job.

High School Diploma or G.E.D.
-AND-
At least one (1) year of experience working with animals (preferably in zoonosis disease control and municipal animal control and impoundment).

Basic Animal Control Certification must be obtained within one (1) year of employment.**

Valid Texas Driver License*
*If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained prior to employment.

Job Details:

Company: City of Laredo

Vacancy Type:  Full Time

Job Location: San Antonio, TX, US

Application Deadline: N/A

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