Listing Summary

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community · Join Our Public Safety Team Today

This position’s main focus is enforcing the animal control ordinance throughout the county, ensuring the humane treatment of animals in the county’s custody, and educating the community about stray or vicious animals and related diseases.

A rewarding career with White County includes:

• Competitive pay
• Excellent Benefits
• Paid Training & Professional Development
• Opportunity for Advancement

This position requires working on an on-call rotation for emergency animal control calls.

Application and job description are available at the White County Administrative Office 1235 Helen Hwy Cleveland, GA 706-865-2235 or by accessing www.whitecountyga.gov. This position is open until filled. Applications are subject to open record law and successful applicant must have an acceptable driving record and be able to pass a background check / drug screen.  EOE

 

JOB TITLE:  Animal Control Officer                                                                                    

DEPARTMENT: Public Safety – Animal Services Division, White County             

JOB SUMMARY:    The purpose of this classification is to perform specialized/general work functions associated with responding to animal complaints, picking up abandoned/stray/injured animals, operating the animal shelter, and enforcing applicable animal control ordinances.  This position reports to the Animal Services Division Chief.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Enforces the provisions of all applicable animal control codes and ordinances.

• Supervise county inmates and community service workers as assigned.

• Responds to incoming calls from citizens concerning various animal control issues, such as animal bites, potential animal abuse, stray/nuisance animals, wild/dangerous animals, injured animals, loose livestock, animal behavior problems, and animal control laws; provides information and assistance; conducts investigations and performs follow-up as appropriate.

• Assists animals in problem situations; transports animals to animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations; assists the Sheriff’s Office with livestock calls.

• Assists with operating the animal shelter; receives and processes impounded or surrendered animals; counsels’ prospective owners for pet adoptions; processes animal adoptions; collects fees and issues receipts; receives lost pet calls and notifies owners when found; ensures proper care, feeding, and watering of animals; grooms’ animals; prepares and maintains records.

• Helps investigate animal cruelty complaints; assists in serving writs/citations and in arrest for animal control violations; participates in court activities as needed.

• Handles animals, restraining as appropriate; checks animals for signs of illness and quarantines exposed animals.

• Traps/captures animals; sets animal traps; loads animals into cages.

• Provides medical care, grooming, etc. for impounded animals; administers injections of sedatives and relaxants; transports animals to and from veterinary clinics and other animal welfare agencies.

• Conducts euthanasia of animals by administering euthanasia solution injections.

• Helps maintains kennel buildings, grounds, and related facilities; performs various cleaning, sanitary and maintenance tasks such as mopping/sweeping floors, cleaning offices, emptying trash containers, transporting trash to dumpster, mowing grass, and cutting weeds.  Ensures that proper sanitizing procedures are used by staff, inmates, and volunteers.

• Operates various machinery, equipment, and tools associated with animal control activities, which may include a truck, catch poles, animal traps, snake tongs, tranquilizer gun, blow gun, syringes, needles, scalpel, clippers, mower, weed eater, wheelbarrow, pressure washer, mechanical tools, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, camera, and radio communications equipment.

• Adheres to all county Safety Policies and Procedures; utilizes precautionary safety equipment and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals. 

• Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep machinery, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, washing/cleaning equipment, and cleaning work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.

• Maintains inventory of departmental supplies and equipment; initiates order for new or replacement materials.

• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, log sheets, time sheets, schedules, check requisitions, purchase orders, work orders, receipts, bite reports, complaint forms, complaint notices, trap release forms, surrender/reclaim forms, adoption applications, spay/neuter forms, or other documents.

• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, incident reports, complaint forms, citations, animal bite/attack reports, rabies certificates, photographs, adoption applications, time sheets, manuals, maps, catalogs, directories, budgets, policies, ordinances, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data in computer database; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections as appropriate; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, or other software programs.

• Maintains communication via telephone and/or two-way radio with division and other agencies; provides information; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service or assistance.

• Responds to after hour emergency calls on a rotating on-call basis.

• Communicates with supervisor, employees, volunteers, community service workers, other departments, the public, veterinarians, pet store personnel, court officials, law enforcement officials, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

• Maintains a current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession.

• Assists with special events to promote public awareness and education on local animal control education and ordinances at schools, clubs, businesses, and other organizations.

• Crosschecks the lost and found database, newspapers, and other sources to identify possible matches against the animals in the shelter.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides assistance or backup coverage to other employees or departments as needed.

• Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

• Animal Control Certification within eighteen (18) months of employment through the National Animal Control Association Training Academy (as determined by Division training program).

• Ability to acquire extensive knowledge of County and state codes, resolutions, ordinances, policies, and methods relative to animal control.

• Knowledge of terminology, principles and methods utilized in animal control and shelter operations.

• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion as necessary in routine and non-routine situations; ability to make calm and quick decisions in unique and emergency situations.

• Ability to communicate in a courteous manner in providing required assistance to the public.

• Ability to compile a variety of information in the preparation of reports.

• Knowledge of chemicals and drugs used in animal control to promote safe and efficient handling and use of such agents.

• Ability to prioritize work assignments and complete duties in a timely manner.

• Ability to use Microsoft Office; word processing skills;

• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

• Thorough knowledge of roadways, geography, and the ability to read maps.

• Ability to operate and maintain required vehicles, tools, and equipment.

• Must have ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

SUPERVISORY CONTROL: The Animal Control Division Chief assigns work in terms of general instructions.  The Supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the results.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include state law, department policies, county policies and procedures, and standard operating procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY:  Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, law enforcement officers, Department of Natural Resources rangers and personnel, Department of Agriculture personnel, magistrate court judges, Environmental Health Department agents, and the public.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to support the operations of the Animal Control Division – for the proper enforcement of County Codes and needs of the County Animal Shelter.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONISBILITY: None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

High school diploma or GED  required; supplemented by vocational/technical training in animal behavior, animal handling, and euthanasia; supplemented by 5 to 11 months previous experience and/or training involving animal control or animal handling; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job preferred.  Must be able to possess and maintain valid Euthanasia Technician certification.  Must complete and maintain NACA Level I certification within eighteen months from date of hire.  Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.

• Must be available for on-call duty as assigned; including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• When on-call, must be able to arrive on the scene within forty-five (45) minutes of call.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability:  Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (50 plus pounds).  Must be able to use body members to work, move, or carry objects or materials.  Must be able to exert more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently.

Sensory Requirements:  Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.  Must be able to coordinate hands, feet, and eyes in using equipment.

Environmental Factors:  Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, pathogenic substances, animal attacks, or animal bites.

White County, Georgia, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.