Animal Protective Services Officer

Performs meaningful and compassionate work in promoting the welfare, safety, and humane treatment of animals within the City. This position plays a vital role in protecting both animals and the public by enforcing local, state, and federal laws related to animal welfare, responding to concerns involving stray, domestic, and wild animals, and serving as an advocate for responsible pet ownership.

The majority of time is spent patrolling the community, responding to calls, and investigating complaints with a focus on resolving issues in a way that prioritizes the well-being of animals and public safety. The position requires empathy, initiative, and sound judgment—particularly when working with injured, fearful, or aggressive animals. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential when engaging with the public to educate, mediate, and support compliance with animal-related ordinances.

This role involves working in a variety of environments and conditions and requires comfort handling animals of all temperaments. The employee is periodically on-call to respond to urgent after-hours situations. Work is evaluated through observations, reports, and reviews of response efforts and community impact.

• Enforces State laws and local animal control ordinances regulating the keeping, control and protection of animals within the City.
• Overseas the city dog licensing program and enforces compliance.
• Patrols within the city limits of Southport, in an animal control vehicle to monitor violations, animals in distress and citizens' complaints.
• Investigates and completes documentation related to animal related complaints and incidents, to include animal bites, possible rabies exposures, possible animal cruelties, and potentially dangerous and vicious dog complaints.
• Issues Animal Welfare Ordinance violations and warnings.
• Educates animal owners and other public members on humane animal care, rabies prevention; and presents animal control information to promote responsible pet ownership at schools, public festivals and in other community settings.
• Works closely with and coordinates plans and programs with animal welfare/rescue organizations and groups,
• Picks up or traps stray or unwanted animals that may be uncooperative, vicious or injured and transports them for appropriate Veterinary care or to the designated Animal Shelter.
• Follows all local SOP’s related to animal care, intake and procedures.
• Works closely with local Veterinarians to ensure proper care and treatment of all animals the City intakes.
• Assists law enforcement when requested and during an eviction when animals are involved; requests assistance when search and seizures are required.
• Organizes and participates in animal rescue efforts during disaster situations. Assists in recovery efforts during animal disaster situations or emergency situations.
• Impounds dogs and cats in accordance with the city ordinance; impounds stray and/or surrendered animals.
• On-call after hours for emergency situations, when available.
• Responds to distressed and injured wildlife.
• Responds, investigates, and processes suspected rabid animals that may have exposed humans/pets; coordinates the preparation/processing of the suspected animal for shipment to the State Laboratory for testing; coordinates/submits reports to the Health Department; provides follow up action.
• Cares for all animals held at the City of Southport Kennel Holding Facility.
• Maintains and cleans the City of Southport Kennel Holding Facility.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of computerized reports as well as written logs and forms.
• Processes and documents Civil Court cases; processes, documents, and seizes animals/equipment for Criminal Court cases; testifies in court proceedings.

• Work closely with staff and other agencies to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Create, organize, present, and attend regular community meetings and presentations concerning current ordinance and rule issues identified within the community. 
• Educate property owners and others on city codes and ordinances.
• Prepare regular reports and documentation and present the findings as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of related experience. 

Licenses, Certifications, and/or Requirements:

• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

• Possession of or ability to obtain training and certification in appropriate animal care and handling skills.

• Ability to obtain certification through the National Animal Control Academy or a comparable approved program.

• Preferred: Certification through Code 3 Associates and/or the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). If not already certified, candidates should have the ability to obtain one or both certifications within 6 to 12 months of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances relating to the control and welfare of animals.  
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of animal control.
• Knowledge of specimen preparation, packaging, laboratory practices and physician protocols dealing with rabies.
• Knowledge of proper animal handling of various species, breeds, types.
• Knowledge of animal behaviors of various species, breeds, types.
• Skill in animal care and breed identification including recognizing disease symptoms, enforcing quarantines, performing animal first aid, and administering medications.
• Skill and confidence in the use of animal capture and restraint devices.
• Knowledge of proper enforcement practices, procedures and interpretation.
• Ability to prepare maintain detailed records.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to perform tasks in stressful or tense situations.
• Ability to solve problems and to work independently.