Animal Control Officer na City of Tuscaloosa, AL

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to perform work functions associated with providing effective and efficient animal control, as outlined by Federal, State, and City regulations, status, ordinances, as well as general operational procedures.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Understands and meets Department’s expectations of customer services, stewardship of work duties, and workplace culture.

Prepares correspondence, depositions, summons, and documents; maintains records of departmental activities and documentation. Performs investigations on animal related cases.

Responds to incoming calls from citizens, 311, and other departments and agencies concerning animal control issues, specifically: potential animal abuse, animal attacks, stray/nuisance animals, wild/dangerous animals, and injured/dead animals; assesses situation and determines appropriate action; assumes safe operations control over animal capture scenes; mediates disputes.

Investigates animal bites, in accordance with Emily’s Law, ensures proper quarantine procedures are followed; corresponds with local health department, management and legal staff, and citizen(s) with direct engagement.

Effectively and strategically traps unwanted wildlife or nuisance animals; to include humanly euthanizing captured, sick, or injured wildlife when necessary. 

Assist TPD and local health department staff with animal control related issues or incidents.

Effectively and strategically traps/captures and restrains animals; to include unwanted wildlife, nuisance animals. Assesses the extent of any injuries; transports to animal shelter, veterinarian, or as otherwise directed; advises veterinarian as to extent of injuries and/or quality of life of the animal.

Removes dead animals from roadways and transport to landfill or designated freezer; properly dispose of animal carcass.

Provide on-call animal control services after normal shift hours as assigned.

Operates, cleans, and maintains equipment and tools associated with animal control activities, specifically: animal control vehicles, freezers, catchpoles, traps, nets, net gun, and related equipment.

Communicates via telephone, email, text, work order software, etc. to provide updated information, guidance, and answer questions as appropriate to address citizens, management, other department staff, or other agencies’ personnel. 

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the Department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day to day activities.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required; animal control, code enforcement, or related experience preferred.  Must be willing to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations through local health department. Must be willing to obtain and maintain chemical aerosol (pepper) spray seminar certification.  Must be willing to obtain and maintain a Level I and Level II Animal Control Academy certification.  Must possess a valid Alabama driver’s license.  

Other Qualifications

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of animal control and automated office equipment including computer, typewriter, fax machine, copiers, two-way radio, service vehicles, camera, traps, sprayers, net gun, etc. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for medium to heavy work.

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include photographs, maps, forms, reference materials, ordinances, and operational manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange animal control-related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public and in court.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of animal control-related documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write basic job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice such as in public speaking situations in court.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand animal control-related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, determine percentages, and determine time and weight.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include standard measuring devices and recording devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office and animal control-related equipment and to operate motor vehicles.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, automated office and animal control-related equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.