Chief Animal Control Officer

1. Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and lead all functions, operations, and personnel at the Kenai Animal Shelter, including enforcement of City codes relating to animal control.
2. Participate in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
3. Participate in the selection, evaluation, and scheduling of employees and volunteers in accordance with City personnel policies.
4. Feed, water, and care for animals; vaccinate animals as necessary; show animals to potential adopters; issue permits and licenses; collect fees; complete all necessary paperwork.
5. Perform a variety of janitorial duties, including washing dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, trash disposal, and disinfecting bathrooms; sanitizing kennels, stalls, cages other areas.
6. Provide information, respond to public or agency inquiries, and resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner in-person, on the telephone, and through email.
7. Coordinate Animal Control programs and services; participate in and present educational programs for community groups; conduct outreach programs and annual rabies clinic. 
8. Operate an animal services vehicle; maintain, clean, and fuel vehicle; transport vehicle to shop for routine maintenance as necessary.
9. Capture and/or confine wild or stray animals; impound sick, injured, stray, or trapped animals; remove and dispose of dead animals from public and private properties; transport injured animals.
10. Conduct euthanasia of animals by lethal injection.
11. Physically control domestic and exotic animals of all sizes using approved methods, including live traps and quarantine of dangerous and/or rabid animals.
12. Investigate animal-related complaints at the animal shelter and in the field; interview complainants, witnesses, animal owners, and neighbors; mediate situations between citizens involving their animals, sometimes in hostile and emotionally-charged situations.
13. Enforce applicable animal control codes and licensing ordinances; issue citations for violations of applicable regulations; testify in court.
14. Maintain a variety of files, documents, records, and databases; compile information and statistics as needed for various reports; disseminate, report, and communicate information; prepare reports, including but not limited to intake reports, adoption reports, complaint summaries, phone logs, case files, and license records.
15. Perform purchasing duties in accordance with City policies and procedures; participate in budget process, including obtaining quotes, preparing requisitions, and placing orders.
16. Maintain strict confidentiality of privileged communications and information and comply with privacy laws and regulations.
17. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, vendors, City employees, and the general public.  
18. Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.
19. Attend Department training and other continuing education programs.
20. Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at work.
21. Perform other duties as assigned.

1. Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. Possess three (3) years of increasingly responsible work experience in animal control services and shelter operations; or possess at least three (3) years of full-time supervisory experience in any professional setting, plus a significant knowledge of general animal care; or a combination of both. Note: General pet ownership does not meet this requirement.
4. Possess or have the ability to obtain a nationally recognized Animal Control or Care Officer Certification within one (1) year of employment.
5. Possess or obtain a valid unrestricted Alaska driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
6. The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a pre-employment drug test, criminal background check, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet the requirements for use of drugs to euthanize domestic animals and other background investigations.
7. The employee must be available to work varying schedules, including weekends, holidays, and shift extensions. The employee will be required to perform some work on weekends and nights and respond to emergency call outs when available.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Certification by the National Animal Control Association (NACA).
2. Three (3) years of supervisory experience. 
3. Previous work or other experience demonstrating knowledge of hazards and safety precautions associated with animal control work, community licensing, and rabies control is highly desirable.
4. Previous work or other experience demonstrating the ability to work with a wide range of people and animals and a working knowledge of local government.

   WORKING ENVIRONMENT The work environment exposes the employee to unpredictable environments and potentially hazardous situations (e.g., cuts, bites, scratches) and the employee must deal with unpleasant or angry people.  The employee must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, direct sunlight) and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level.   Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in varied working environments, during day and night, and often in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures.  The duties of this position are primarily performed in the indoors, but outdoor work is required.  Any inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.

   The employee may be exposed to dust, irritants, and toxic/poisonous substances as well as to zoonotic diseases.  The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform work inside a vehicle, including operating radios and computer equipment.  Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.

   PHYSICAL DEMANDS This position requires a high level of physical ability including vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, and strength.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate computers, radios, hold and restrain animals, use leashes, fit collars, and operate other equipment and tools); is required to climb ladders and stairs; is required to perform general duties that may include, but not be limited to, walking, running, climbing, pushing, pulling, reaching, dragging, carrying, jumping, balancing, and crouching; is required to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently; is required to work in stressful environments and make quick decisions under stress. The employee will regularly be required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time.   The employee may be required to work long shifts. Specific vision requirements include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships.  The employee must be able to hear and talk and communicate verbally in-person as well as on a radio and telephone.