Animal Services Officer, Lead

Apply online (search for "animal"): https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montgomerycountymd 

The Montgomery County Office of Animal Services is responsible for providing animal-related services to the citizens of Montgomery County, MD from its headquarters located in Derwood, MD.  

The Office of Animal Services (OAS) is currently recruiting for a full-time Lead Animal Services Officer (Lead ASO) who is passionate about animals and delivering a high standard of service to the community. The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills and be detailed oriented. The candidate must have the ability to work independently and multi-task. The candidate must have the ability to always remain professional, especially when working with the public. The candidate must be knowledgeable of State and County laws and regulations pertaining to animal cruelty, animal neglect (including domestic animals, horses, and livestock), wildlife, and other animal related public safety or public nuisance issues. 

The Lead ASO is responsible for providing guidance and support to Animal Services Officers in the field. The Lead ASO reports to and acts on behalf of the Field Services Supervisors and serves as primary contact for the Emergency Communication Center. The Lead ASO administer directives and guides the actions of subordinates in enforcing State, Local Laws, and Ordinances for Montgomery County Office of Animal Services, by leading personnel and daily operations to ensure the fulfillment of Animal Care & Control services for Montgomery County, safeguarding life, health, property and liability for residents and stakeholders. The position provides training, guidance, resources and assists officers ensuring that the day-to-day operations operate effectively and efficiently and ensuring that all laws are appropriately applied in a safe, equitable and uniformed manner. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate, plan, lead, and ensure efficient, cost effective and customer focused animal control in the assigned area.
• Respond to animal/livability complaints and investigate cases for compliance with animal control ordinance codes and other applicable Maryland State Statues of petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony level violations. 
• Coordinate and participate in executing and serving search warrants as required. Understand and utilize both proactive enforcement and community-based enforcement theories in the application of field services.
• Interview and interrogate victims, witnesses, and suspects. 
• Prioritize and manage field response to calls impacting public safety such as animal bites or otherwise aggressive animals. Lead assumes command in the absence of a Field Supervisor and provide direction to ASOs. Provide services for emergency and exigent situations that require immediate response to prevent harm, which may include assisting other agencies. 
• Prepare complete and accurate reports and other related legal documents and paperwork. 
• Evaluate, train, assign and provide guidance to subordinates engaged in the enforcement of Animal Control laws and ordinances. Areas such as patrol, report writing, use of force, mediation, shelter policies and procedures, proper animal care techniques, and general investigation. 
• Make recommendations on hiring, discipline, and commendation. 
• Work with Field Supervisors to develop and revise department policies and procedures to optimize efficiencies, consistencies, and safety. Build effective teams for the delivery of animal care and control.
• Monitor and evaluate statistics by precinct and ward using the information to ensure effective deployment of resources for enforcement activities. 
• Interpret laws, ordinances, and court decisions relating to enforcement activities. 
• Act as a liaison with other Animal Control and Law Enforcement agencies and related organizations. 
• Participate in emergency preparedness planning and assist with the development of emergency plans for field operations while coordinating with shelter operations.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: 

• Graduation from High School or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of  Maryland, AND

• Coursework or training in animal health, animal behavior, and control.

Experience: 

• Four (4) years of paid experience enforcing animal care and control laws, including the 

investigation of violations and court prosecution for animal control/regulatory agency. 

One (1) year of the experience must have been at the level of Animal Services Officer III 

for animal control/regulatory agency; AND

• One (1) year experience in leading and training others in accomplishing work assignments.

Equivalency: 

An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, 

skills, and abilities.

License Requirement: 

Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence.

This position requires offsite work and weekend and/or evening hours.