Animal Control Officer

Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who want to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. If you like to work with animals, enjoy working with the public, and enjoy a variety of daily tasks, you may be a great addition to our Animal Shelter team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson!The Animal Control Officer is a non-exempt position under FLSA. This position performs a variety of field and administrative duties in accordance with the local animal control ordinances and state laws pertaining to the control and management of animals. Fieldwork consists of patrolling assigned regions of the City and responding to complaints regarding domestic animals. Duties require capture and removal of stray, uncontrolled, abused or dangerous animals from undesirable conditions necessitating the use of caution in handling and transporting animals for impounding. Other primary responsibilities include investigating animal cruelty cases, processing animals for adoption and transfer to rescue organizations, appropriate record keeping, and answering incoming telephone calls. This employee works closely with shelter staff, governmental and public safety agencies, other animal shelters, veterinarians, rescue groups, animal owners, and the general public. This position includes shifts, rotation in after-hours, on-call emergency response for 24-hour/365-day coverage and is subject to working nights, weekends, and holidays. A Day in the Life:Patrols city streets and roads; Reads and interprets maps to respond to calls and dispatch directives for service regarding public safety concerns involving animals, animal-based ordinance complaints, found property, and other incidents as required in accordance with established priority procedures.Safely and humanely locates, catches, contains, transports, and impounds animals-at-large including sick, injured, and vicious animals using specialized equipment, such as catch poles, leashes, cages, and traps; picks up and disposes of dead animals; logs animal intake information and completes accurate data entry into a records management system; helps other agencies as requested.Enforces animal control laws and ordinances; ensures humane treatment of animals, examines animal licenses and rabies vaccination documents, and inspects animal housing establishments; issues verbal and written warnings, compliance notices, and summons to violators of animal control laws; initiates any necessary follow-up action.Investigates complaints and reports of animal attacks, animal cruelty, and animal nuisances; Interviews witnesses and collects evidence; notifies owners and involved parties of violations and corrective actions; writes reports of investigation activity and maintains case files; prepares and submits appropriate court documentation and testifies in courts of law and administrative hearings.Writes and prepares reports of activities, and maintains files of impoundments and dispositions of animals and completes other administrative logs, forms, and reports as needed utilizing a personal computer and associated software programs.Identifies sick and diseased animals; takes precautions to prevent the spread of disease to other animals or humans; recommends veterinarian care if needed and administers first aid, medications, or other treatment; helps euthanize sick, injured, and unwanted animals (all sizes and breeds) in accordance with regulations and standard veterinary procedures; handles controlled substances during euthanasia in accordance with federal and state laws, including extensive and exact recordkeeping and documentation.Provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public by answering questions, complaints, and concerns regarding adoptions, redemptions, releases, operations, ordinances, and animal treatment and care; helps at the counter with taking in, redeeming, or adopting out animals and in dealing with the public over the phone and at the counter when required.Educates on the responsibilities of animal ownership, animal care/behavior, and state laws and local ordinances through oral presentations to various groups (schools, homeowner associations, civic organizations, and special interest groups).Operates an animal control vehicle under varying driving conditions; completes daily cleanup/sanitation of various vehicles and animal control equipment to ensure accountability.Helps maintain cleanliness of the facility by performing daily cleaning duties when assigned, including rinsing, scrubbing, and disinfecting equipment, facilities, and rooms 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, freezing carcasses, packaging and mailing animal parts to laboratory for health checks, and performing inventory checks on supplies and equipment.What you will need for success:EDUCATION:High School Diploma or G.E.D. is required. EXPERIENCE:Some experience working with animals is desired. Preference will be given to those with experience in animal control or regulation enforcement. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within 6 months of employment.CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSE:This employee must possess a valid Kansas Driver's License. National Animal Control Association Level I Certification is preferred.The City of Hutchinson employs over 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work, and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.All employees will be asked to consent to background and drug screening prior to starting employment.