Operations Supervisor

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE:

 

Performs responsible supervisory and public safety work and participates in the control of animals and protection of people and animals.

 

Supervises staff responsible for the enforcement of County Animal Control Ordinances, State, and Federal Rabies Laws and regulations, animal cruelty investigations and overall field operations.  Work includes supervising the capture and confinement of stray and vicious animals and enforcing regulations concerning vaccinations, licensing and control of animals, participating as necessary.  Work also includes supervisory functions of planning daily work schedule, problem-solving in difficult situations, employee training, performance coaching and review and ensuring employee safety.  Independent judgment and initiative are required in determining appropriate actions for injured and vicious animals.  Tact, courtesy and firmness are necessary in dealing with the public.  Risk is involved in handling rabid or vicious animals.  The employee is subject to hazards including indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, vibrations, loud noise, scaffolding and high places, close quarters or crawl spaces which may cause claustrophobia, and atmospheric conditions such as carbon monoxide or dusts.  Work in the animal control field is also subject to the final standards of OSHA on blood borne pathogens. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 

Plan and supervises in the work of staff engaged in animal control including call response and investigation regarding stray, mistreated, neglected, abused, injured, diseased, vicious, potentially rabid, and other animal-related public health and safety concerns.  Actively participates in the above as necessary.

 

Provides supervision, technical advice and assistance to officers in the field; participates in hiring process; makes work assignments and schedules; trains staff in animal related laws and ordinances, departmental policies and procedures, safe work methods, customer service, and dealing with sensitive issues

 

Purchases supplies and materials; insures proper maintenance of vehicles and equipment; provides input into budget development.

 

Counsels, evaluates and disciplines Officers based on observation, call monitoring, reports, and public feedback.

 

Conducts weekly officer meetings, plans daily work schedule and assigns staff to tasks sets priorities and monitors work quality.

 

Reviews reports prepared by Animal Control Officers for accuracy and directs necessary corrections.

 

Aids in preparation of court cases, attends all court cases, and assists the District Attorney’s office in negotiating pleas with defendant’s counsel.

 

Works closely with local Law Enforcement in enforcing State Laws regarding animals in Iredell County.

 

Provides or arranges and participates in training and training opportunities, including required continuing education.

 

Transports injured animals to veterinary hospital, when necessary.

 

Supervises and participates in animal cruelty and other complaint investigations, rabies investigations, dangerous dog investigations, exotic animal licensing and humane euthanasia, as necessary.

 

Works closely with the Public Health Director, State Public Health Veterinarian and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture regarding cases with potential effect on public health.

 

Enforces laws regarding rabies vaccination of domestic animals; arranges and oversees targeted rabies vaccination clinics.

 

Participates in preparation of rabies specimens, including packaging.  Delivers specimens to the designated location for relay transport to the State Lab for testing.

 

Supervises and participates in keeping records of work activities.

 

Works a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special emergency and/or disaster situations.

 

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

 

Performs related tasks as required.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS,  & ABILITIES:

 

Considerable knowledge of the Animal Control Ordinance and related state and federal regulations regarding animal capture, vaccination, rabies, vicious animals, wild animals, animal care, adoption, cruelty investigations, and euthanasia.

 

Considerable knowledge of methods of safely capturing and handling animals.

 

Considerable knowledge of appropriate equipment and its use to safely capture and secure a variety of animals. 

 

Considerable knowledge of modern supervisory practices, principles, and related laws and practices.

 

Considerable knowledge of the County’s personnel and purchasing policies and procedures.

 

Knowledge of the application of information technology to work records.

 

Knowledge of animal breeds, behavior, habits, care, feeding and shelter of various wild, exotic and domestic animals.

 

Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of rabies.  Knowledge of common infectious and contagious diseases of animals, their symptoms and first aid treatment.  Knowledge of zoonotic diseases.

 

Ability to provide effective public presentations on Animal Services operations and programs.

 

Customer contact and collaborative conflict resolution skills.

 

Considerable knowledge of courtroom and hearing practices. 

 

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 

 

Ability to prepare detailed records and reports.

 

Ability to deal tactfully, courteously and firmly with the public, including the ability to speak with impassioned citizens and offer resolutions to their concerns.

 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.

 

Ability to quickly assess a situation and take effective, appropriate action under stressful and emergency situations.

 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE “REQUIREMENTS”:

 

Graduation from High School and considerable experience in animal control including the ability to Lead/Supervise subordinates; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

 

ADDITIONAL “REQUIREMENTS”:

 

Must obtain and maintain the following:

 

North Carolina Certified Euthanasia Technician – Euthanasia by Injection (within one (1) months of hire).

North Carolina Certified Rabies Vaccinator (within six (6) months of hire).

North Carolina Notary Public (within six (6) months of hire).

North Carolina Driver License (prior to employment).

Firearms certification as required by departmental policy (within one (1) year of hire).

Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis regimen (within six (6) months of hire)

 

“PREFERRED” QUALIFICATIONS:      

 

National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) Animal Control Officer (ACO) I, II, and III certifications strongly preferred.