Animal Control Officer

Summary

Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Animal Control Officer working with the department of Police Officer. The ideal candidate will be working with and handling animals. Will have experience in report writing and investigations, and enforcement of policies, procedures, rules, and/or regulations.

Under basic supervision, this job classification performs Animal Control and animal related law enforcement activities for the Yuma Police Department (YPD) to safeguard citizens from dangerous and nuisance animals; investigates animal related violations of state and Federal laws and local ordinances.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrols City to check animal populations for dangerous and nuisance animals, strays and wildlife.
• Enforces state and Federal laws and local ordinances governing Animal Control issues.
• Responds to complaints and calls for service; captures, contains, transports and impounds animals.
• Transports animals to Humane Society shelter; picks up and disposes of dead animals.
• Investigates nuisance complaints and calls on Animal Control code violations; interviews complainant and witnesses; notifies owners and involved parties of animal violations and corrective actions; writes reports and issues citations within scope of authority.
• Investigates request of service for animal cruelty charges; seizes animals as allowed by Arizona Statutes.
• Provides animal-related information to public, including questions regarding animal care and regulations.
• Maintains assigned vehicle and equipment according to Department standards.
• Assists and coordinates with other emergency services personnel, outside organizations, and local law enforcement organizations.
• Prepares reports and maintains records and files.
• Presents Animal Control enforcement cases to courts and hearings.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
High School Diploma or GED equivalent and a combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to two years full-time employment involving extensive public contact. Some (6 months - 1 year) experience working with/handling animals. Some (6 months - 1 year) experience with report writing and investigations, and enforcement of policies, procedures, rules, and/or regulations.
Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• General safety practices, and animal capture and restraint techniques and equipment.
• Symptoms of common animal diseases.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Regional animal care resources available to citizens.
• Geography, roads, and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.

Skill in:

• Capturing, controlling, containing, and transporting sick, injured, and rabid animals.
• Exercising patience, care and compassion in dealing with animals.
• Care, maintenance and safe operation of specialized Animal Control tools and equipment.
• Interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Following and communicating verbal and written instructions.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a standard office environment and in the field. Required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.

• Engaged in reported/unreported criminal behavior in such a manner that if hired would be detrimental to Yuma Police Department
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
• Illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale marijuana or dangerous drugs/narcotics
• Illegally used marijuana/dangerous drugs/narcotic drugs for any purpose within the past year
• Have a pattern of abusing prescription medication
• Convicted of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with such a frequency so as to indicate disrespect for the traffic laws and disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway within the past three years
• Been previously employed with a law enforcement agency and since has committed or violated federal, state, or city laws pertaining to criminal activity
• Lied during any stage of the hiring process, falsified any information on the application or background questionnaire
• Conviction of domestic violence crime, misdemeanor, or felony or conviction of a lesser charge, which at the time of occurrence was a domestic violence crime