Animal Care & Control Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

Animal Care & Control Officers are responsible for protecting the community from dangerous and/or sick animals; enforcing and/or investigating Pittsburgh city ordinances; rescuing/capturing/impounding a variety of animals requiring specialized equipment; ensuring that all animals in the City of Pittsburgh are treated humanely under the law.   Animal Care & Control Officers are required to euthanize rabies vector species as necessary, pick up or assist with the pick-up and disposal of deceased animals.  Animal Care & Control Officers are also expected to be an accessible point of contact for the community regarding animal care and control related topics.

REQUIREMENTS

General Application Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified.  Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must comply with the City of Pittsburgh's COVID-19 vaccine policy.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and must remain a resident throughout employment. 
  • Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.  
• A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License at the time of filing application or prior to appointment, which must be maintained throughout employment.  Written requests for accommodation on the basis of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.

 
NOTE:  The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments.  Candidates may be disqualified from consideration from employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).

 
Qualifying Requirements:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position.  You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show three (3) months of full-time professional experience in animal handling, such as animal controller, veterinary technician, zoo keeper, professional fostering, volunteer work, etc. Euthanasia experience preferred. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a high school diploma or GED. 
• EQUIVALENCY:  Education/training  may be substituted for work experience on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above).  The Total Qualifying Requirement is three (3) months.  (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s).  You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position.  Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

• Written:  Based on the knowledge/abilities listed in the Position Description section of this announcement. The tentative exam date is 6/3/2024.
• Medical:  Required.

NOTE: A General Written Pre-test Training Booklet is available online here.

POSITION DUTIES

• Patrols area assigned and actively pursues violations of animal control ordinances.  
  • (Article III, Chapters 631, 633, 634, 635 and 636 of Pittsburgh City Code).
• Assists residents in removing animals from their homes and properties.
• Transports animals to shelters and veterinary hospitals as necessary. 
• Initiates investigation of possible nuisance violations.
• Physically lifts and transports animals in carriers and traps.
• Assists in the removal of deceased animals as needed.
• Coordinates and refers animal related issues with/to appropriate departments and agencies (e.g. Department of Public Safety, Humane Animal Rescue, Game Commission, Coroner, Health Department).
• Alerts supervisor and/or the appropriate authorities of any suspected cases of cruelty or neglect (including, but not limited to, dog fighting).
• Assists Police, EMS, Fire or Homeland Security in the completion of their work as requested if animals are present.
• Investigates and reports complaints of animal bites. 
• Quarantines animals. 
• Euthanizes rabies vector species as needed in accordance with established protocols and safety procedures.
• Drives City vehicles as assigned and in accordance with established safety policies and procedures.
• Issues citations and warnings for ordinance violations.
• Completes forms and prepares accurate reports.
• Participates in education programs for various public groups regarding relevant Animal Care and Control topics.
• Answers telephones; receives and dispatches calls.
• Attends court on behalf of the bureau to testify as required. 
• Attends training programs, seminars, etc.
• Works varying shifts, weekends, holidays, and on call as directed.
• Works outside in various weather conditions and terrain.
• Performs activities and functions of related personnel and other related tasks/duties as required.

BENEFITS

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Pension
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Days