City of Steamboat Springs Community Service Officer

SALARY $26.15 - $35.30 Hourly LOCATION Steamboat Springs, CO

JOB TYPE Full-time JOB NUMBER 2016-00776

DEPARTMENT Police Department DIVISION Animal Control

OPENING DATE 09/08/2025 CLOSING DATE 9/29/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

 GENERAL PURPOSE
Performs routine and complex public safety work in the enforcement of the City of Steamboat Springs’ Municipal Code regarding public safety and animal control and assists Police in the investigation and enforcement of Colorado Revised Statutes. Investigates and enforces laws, parking regulations, animal welfare complaints, animal bites, non-injury accident response, crowd and traffic control. Responsible for the safety, health, and welfare of the public attending special events or utilizing the City's trail system, and other City facilities.

The qualified individual

Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs and upholds City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-being, Respect and Compassion, while always espousing safety. Patrols streets, trails, and neighborhoods either in vehicle, bicycle, or on foot to deter violations of the Municipal Code to protect and preserve the safety and security of individuals and property. Responds to complaints concerning animal problems or violations of the City’s animal ordinances, including but not limited to animals running at large, Vicious/Dangerous animals, animal bites, animal cruelty and improper care, barking dogs, property damage, or animal related injuries. Responds and assists Police to investigate cases involving state law pertaining to animal welfare. Responds to non-criminal dispatch calls for service and investigates violations including but not limited to parking, municipal code violations, citizens fingerprints, lost and found property reports, over the counter vehicle accident reports. Works with citizens to promote personal safety, bicycle safety, animal safety & bite prevention. Performs public relations skills when contacting the public to ensure maximum enjoyment of the City's facilities and events. Ensures compliance with animal licensing and rabies vaccination requirements. Removes dead, injured, or dangerous domestic or wild animals from streets and residential premises. Assisting with wildlife will occur in conjunction with local Colorado Parks and Wildlife Respond and complete reports on minor motor vehicle accidents. Completes related citations, as necessary. Conducts traffic control at accident scenes, during times of street detours, and during special events. Assists with special events in the capacity of crowd and traffic control. Issues warnings, citations, and parking tickets when appropriate. Prepares written reports. Support reports and cases with possible court room testimony. Composes a variety of correspondence, reports and other materials requiring independent judgment as to content, accuracy, and completeness; a variety of reports and records including reports of incidents, reports of hazards, animal bite reporting, and public contacts. Provides a variety of information to the public. Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with other law enforcement agencies if needed.  Serves as liaison with the Shelter Operations, Health Department, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and local veterinarians and affiliated rescues. Officers will assist these departments on calls as needed. Work closely with the media, public interest groups and businesses to promote safety and improved care and control of animals. Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.  Community Service and Animal Control activities as assigned. Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provides mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities. Contacts Police Officers in situations requiring arrest authority.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

As assigned.

We are seeking the following qualifications

(A)      Must be 18 years or older at the time of employment.

(B)      Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any State. 

(C)      No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years. 

(D)      Must be able to read and write the English language.

 Education and Experience

(A)      High school, diploma, or GED equivalent; and

(B)      Two (2) years of animal related experience preferred; or

(C)      Two years of general office, communications, or customer service experience (high level contact).  

(D)      An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience

 Certification and/or Licensures encouraged (within the first 5 years):

• Affiliation with Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials. 
• Basic Colorado Animal Control Certification (preferred completion within 1 year)
• National Animal Care and Control Certifications
• Colorado Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) Certification
• FEMA Emergency Management Certification 100, 700

 Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.

(B)      Some skill in the operation of most of the tools and equipment listed below.

(C)      Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; Ability to learn the City's geography.

(D)    Working knowledge of basic animal behavior and capture/restraint techniques; Knowledge of basic animal care and handling techniques.

(E)    Must apply knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions; evaluates alternative courses of action and selects the most acceptable alternative; makes sound decisions in a timely manner; sizes up a situation quickly and takes appropriate action.

(F)     Must recognize conditions or circumstances that indicate something might be wrong, unusual, or out of the ordinary, utilizing senses of sight and hearing.

(G)    Must be willing to become certified in Medic First Aid and CPR.

(H)    Must speak in a clear understandable manner and be able to listen carefully to comprehend various types of information.  Must be able to use police communications radio.

(I)      Must be able to write clearly and concisely, using acceptable grammar, pronunciation, and spelling. 

(J)     Must be sensitive to the feelings and perceptions of others and resolve problems through conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques. 

(K)    Must assert oneself.

(L)     Ability to maintain State or National certifications by attending trainings and continued education in field related topics.

 Must be a quick learner to be able to:

•        develop a working knowledge of Steamboat Municipal Code and Colorado Statutes 
•        develop a working knowledge of animal behavior and handling and learn to properly operate equipment used for restraint.
•        learn basic self-defense skills and operate basic self-defense tools
•        learn basic crime scene documentation and basic evidence collection
•        learn conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques  
•        learn animal disease management and prevention 
•        learn how to use personal protective equipment (PPE)
•        learn municipal ordinances including, but not limited to, parking, municipal code violations, citizens fingerprints, lost and found property reports, over the counter vehicle accident reports, bicycle registrations and vehicle identification checks

All supplemental questions must be answered for your application to be considered.

The hiring process will include the following:

• Written/Report writing exam
• Job Suitability Evaluation
• Physical Fitness (Cooper Single Norms)
• Oral Interviews
• Officer ride along
• Polygraph
• Chiefs Interview

To be employed by the Steamboat Springs Police Department the candidate must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, psychological exam, and polygraph exam prior to commencing employment. A complete job description is available upon application. EOE.