Position: Animal Control Officer – King County, WA
Animal Control Officers provide an essential service to King County by ensuring the public safety and the well being of domestic animals and promoting responsible pet ownership. Animal Control Officers may be assigned to one of two areas based on a seniority bidding process: direct operation and maintenance of the animal control shelters, or in the field enforcing animal control ordinances. Duties and responsibilities include:
When assigned to Animal Control Shelter:
Provide daily care for shelter animals by cleaning/disinfecting kennel runs, cages and other areas of the shelter and providing food and water to animals
Medicate sick or injured animals as prescribed by veterinary staff
Screen and counsel potential pet adopters to ensure adopted animals receive healthy, appropriate, and humane long-term care
Assist the public when bringing in or redeeming animals
Participate in animal welfare educational activities
Issue licenses and collect fees
Process off-site adoptions
Perform data entry functions
Write investigatory and incident reports
Educate and counsel the public on pet care and laws and regulations covering pet ownership
Transport animals to other shelter and/or medical facilities, adoption events
Provide tours of the shelter
Humanely euthanize unhealthy/untreatable animals, when or if needed
Provide exemplary customer service
Other duties as assigned
When assigned to the field:
Respond to complaints of animal nuisance and vicious or abused animals; determine course of action, write reports and issue written warnings or citations
Pick up owned or stray animals, including injured or dead animals
Transport animals to other shelter and/or veterinary facilities, adoption events
Rescue domestic animals, livestock and wildlife
Enforce animal control ordinances
Prepare court cases and testify in court
Write investigatory and incident reports and maintain logs
Mediate and resolve conflicts
Educate and counsel the public on pet care and laws and regulations covering pet ownership
Issue licenses and collect fees
Participate in animal welfare educational activities
Support and assist other public agencies on issues related to animal control
Perform data entry functions
Fill in at shelter as needed
Other duties as assigned
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Two (2) years of paid experience working directly with animals (primarily dogs and cats) in an animal shelter, animal control, kennel, veterinary, or zoological setting. SUBSTITUTIONS: Volunteer work (minimum of 1000 hours ; equated to 6 months) in an environment working directly with animals may substitute for six months of the two year requirement OR combination of related degree(i.e. animal sciences, zoology, veterinary technology) and one year of related experience)
Experience working directly with the public in providing quality customer service and responding to complaints, inquiries and problems
Ability to demonstrate effective customer service skills including effective listening, problem-solving, and verbal skills and ability to deal courteously, professionally and tactfully with the public
Demonstrated ability to perform duties and maintain composure under difficult and stressful situations, including working with individuals where English is a second language and/or interactions with uncooperative or hostile persons
Experience in animal handling and behavior assessment techniques, and proper methods for the care and feeding of animals and cleaning of cages, kennels and other areas
Demonstrated ability to handle animals in a humane manner under a variety of shelter/field situations, including willingness to vaccinate and euthanize animals as directed
Ability to prepare written informative narrative reports documenting investigative actions, incidents
Ability to use a computer, including use of Windows-based software (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
Ability to work mandatory overtime, after hours and on the weekends, including availability to be on call at all hours
Ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments and be flexible in a busy environment
Ability to complete assignments in an efficient and timely manner
Ability to handle cash, accurately account for monies, licenses and items subject to inventory, and accurately make mathematical calculations and enter data
Demonstrated ability to operate the Animal Control vehicle in a safe and careful manner
Ability to operate a two way radio
Ability to work with kennel cleaning materials (i.e. bleach, Kennel-sol, stinger degreaser, and other various household cleaning products)
Ability to work independently and work in a team environment
Ability to have predictable and reliable attendance
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful completion of the Animal Control Academy
Possession of a valid Washington State Veterinary Technician License
Experience with Chameleon or similar animal tracking software
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License at the time of hire, with no moving violations within the past year
Must pass a thorough background investigation and physical examination before hire
Ability to perform moderate to difficult strenuous manual tasks including lifting animals weighing up to sixty (60) pounds on a frequent basis
Salary: $20.76 - $26.31 hourly
To apply, go to http://www.metrokc.gov/ohrm/jobs/
