Animal Control Officer I

These positions are part of a career ladder (Animal Control Officer I, Animal Control Officer II).  Movement within this career ladder is contingent upon meeting specific criteria and performance goals as set by the supervisor. In addition, to be considered for promotion ACO II candidates must exhibit strong leadership skills and proficiency in all aspects of animal control.

An Animal Control Officer (ACO) for the Lakewood Police Department will apprehend animals, investigate violations, interact frequently with citizens, and provide assistance and information on animal-related issues. The ACO’s duties include writing reports and memos regarding animals, mediation of complaints, education of citizens, issuing summonses, case preparation and testimony in court.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Apprehends and confines animals that are sick or injured, including domestic pets, exotic pets, livestock, horses and indigenous wildlife.
Evaluates animal injuries, provides first aid and transporting to veterinary facilities or, in the case of wildlife, performs field euthanasia.
Apprehends and impounds animals that attack or injure humans or other animals.
Apprehends and impounds dogs and livestock that are off their property and unrestrained by their owners.
Communicates details of incidents and situations to other animal control officers and supervisors.
Determines the violation (e.g., cruelty, abuse, abandonment), gathers evidence, follows up on conditions of animals and executes proper procedures for removal of animals from harmful situations.
Investigates and mediates neighborhood complaints pertaining to violations, such as animals disturbing the neighborhood. Issues warnings and summonses as appropriate.
Investigates possible municipal ordinance violations and takes appropriate enforcement action.
Issues summonses and provides case preparation and testimony in court, as required.
Assists police agents in situations when animals are an issue.
Maintains knowledge of the procedures and policies of Foothills Animal Shelter and abides by those procedures.
Performs special projects or assignments as assigned by the Animal Control Supervisor.
Provides assistance, education, presentations (both formally and informally) and information to citizens.
Humanely euthanizes sick or injured wildlife.
Writes detailed reports and establishes probable cause for the issuance of summonses and complaints.
Uses computer (over 5 hours per shift) writing reports, running history searches, dog licensing compliance and responding to official animal control notices that have been posted for the resident to contact animal control on a frequent basis.
Writes daily log, manual notices and miscellaneous forms, and bite reports on a frequent basis.
Educates citizens, City Council and other City employees regarding all animal control enforcement-related ordinances and topics.
Works with and provides assistance to peers, as well as police agents and other Police Department employees.
Quarantines any animal capable of carrying rabies, following the confirmation of a human bite for rabies monitoring.
Writes recommendations guiding the prosecutors for disposition of plea bargain cases as well as after a finding of guilt.
Must be able to interact with others in a positive, collaborative and respectful manner.
Requires dependable, reliable and prompt attendance.
Must maintain and utilize City-provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when conducting activities where the employee is exposed to risks above those encountered in a traditional office setting. If injured on-the-job due to failure to utilize PPE a safety violation can be taken.

IMPORTANT JOB FUNCTIONS
Maintains clean and professional appearance including proper care of uniform, boots/shoes and duty belt and equipment.
Maintains vehicle and equipment in operational readiness.
Maintains a clean and sanitary vehicle to prevent spreading diseases to other animals.
Utilizes the City computer to do background investigations on complaints.
Ensures open cases receive further investigation.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Supervision Received
Receives general supervision from the Animal Control Supervisor.

Supervision Given
An ACO II may serve as the acting supervisor for the Animal Control Unit.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Education
High school education or equivalent.
Two years of college education is desirable.
Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience
Experience dealing with the public in adverse or volatile situations and deals with those situations in a professional manner with the goal of problem resolution.

Licensure/Certification/Registration
Valid driver’s license and good driving record required.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to maintain professional composure in unpleasant and sometimes appalling situations and demonstrate tact in emotional situations.
Ability to perform duties with little or no supervision. Demonstrate self-initiative to complete investigations, perform license compliance follow up and proactively patrol high complaint areas.
Ability to develop strong and consistent discretionary skills.
Ability to work through a problem objectively to ensure an effective solution.
Ability to handle a large volume of calls in a single shift.
Ability to complete required paperwork.
Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills to write accurate and professional reports regarding situations for each call for service received and other field-generated or initiated calls.
Must possess a positive, respectful, collaborative and customer service focus and attitude.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely under high-pressure, unusual situations and inclement weather.
Must be able to write effective reports for use in establishing cases and courtroom testimony.
Polygraph and psychological examinations, oral board interview, background investigation and reference checks, physical, respiratory exam, and hair follicle drug test are required.
Must possess an affinity for animals.
Ability to pick up domestic and small wildlife carcasses and transport for disposal and tolerate unpleasant smells including vomit, feces and skunk smells.
A willingness to pursue and attend continuing pertinent animal-related training, as approved or directed by supervisor.
Must occasionally decapitate animals for rabies testing.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force
frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects

• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels up to 50 lbs.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels over 51 lbs. with assistance
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, turn or twist all of which may include awkward positions on
• both even and uneven terrain
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, reach, grasp, move, feel, and inspect, etc.
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color
• Walk, ascend or descend on both even and uneven terrain

Environmental Conditions may include
• Confined spaces
• Extreme cold or heat
• Frequent vibrations due to equipment use
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Moderate to extremely loud noise environment
• Outdoor weather conditions
• Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Wet or humid conditions
• Work in high, precarious places

Physical Requirements:
• Must lift floor level or from below the knee; knee through chest level and above the shoulder level that may weigh in excess of 80 pounds.
• May manipulate (push, pull or carry) items weighing in excess of 100 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to carry items distances of plus/minus 50 feet.
• Positions may include awkward postures, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, stretching.
• Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Hearing and Vision test