Animal Control Officer – Animal Care and Control Hiring

Overview

Position Title: Animal Control Officer

Company: Maricopa County

Location: Maricopa, AZ, US

Job Description

As an Animal Control Officer, you will be responsible for the humane capture and intake of stray animals, educating community members on responsible pet ownership, and enforcing animal control laws and ordinances. We will look to you to enhance and maintain positive relationships with animal welfare, law enforcement, and other related personnel and agencies within Maricopa County.

Responsibilities:

• Patrols assigned areas to ensure compliance with animal control regulations. Responds to routine and emergency animal control calls
• Serves as a resource for citizens, the veterinary community, and local authorities for questions pertaining to responsible pet ownership, rehoming pets, reclaiming pets, and other animal-related concerns
• Locates, catches, contains, transports, and impounds stray animals, using a variety of safe and humane measures. Completes animal intake information and logs accurate data
• Enforces animal control laws and ordinances, ensures humane treatment of animals, and examines animal licenses and rabies vaccination documents. Issues verbal and written warnings, compliance notices, and summons to violators
• Conducts competent in-depth investigations of complaints and reports of animal attacks, animal bites, animal nuisances, and serious animal-related violations
• Gathers evidence for animal control cases, including photographs, tape recordings, and interviewing witnesses. Maintains legal chain of custody for evidence, presents evidence in court, and testifies as needed
• Identifies sick/diseased animals, takes precautions to prevent the spread of disease to other animals or humans, and recommends veterinarian care if needed, and administers first aid, medications, or other treatment
• Performs a daily safety pre- and post-use inspection of assigned vehicle and ensures maintenance, such as keeping kennels sanitized, vehicle clean, checking oil and other fluids, and tire pressure
• Helps maintain the cleanliness of the facility by performing daily cleaning duties, including disinfecting equipment and animal amenities to prevent the spread of odor and disease
• Completes daily duties at the animal shelter when assigned, such as feeding, watering, and caring for animals, and performing inventory checks on supplies and equipment

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• One year of animal-related work experience handling and caring for dogs and cats in a kennel facility, veterinary clinic, or animal hospital
• One year of experience enforcing regulations for a public agency, (e.g. Park Ranger, etc.)
• Completion of at least 30-semester (45 quarter) hours of post-secondary education that includes a minimum of 12 units related to veterinary services, animal handling, animal control, may substitute for the one year of animal-related work experience.
• Must have a valid Arizona driver’s license for at least 12 months at the time of hire Candidates must be flexible and able to work all shifts, including starting as early as 5:00 AM and finishing as late as 10:00 PM, working weekends, and holidays. Employees can be assigned to any shift, with any combination of days off, determined by the Department’s needs