Animal Control Officer

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community. We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government. We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full- time and part-time employees. Understanding the many challenges facing today’s professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

Primary functions of the job are to protect the public's health and safety in regard to state and local animal laws, including performing apprehending, rescuing, and trapping of animals and to provide public education. Employees in this job have no formal supervisory role, however, work as part of a team and are responsible for ensuring that the team meets its objectives.

Employees must meet the minimum requirements, conditions of employment, and be able to perform successfully all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

This position may require irregular hours and also requires travel by the employee in the employee's own vehicle and/or County vehicle. May be required to work on-call in an emergency.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following)

• Responds to citizen complaints and enforces Animal Control laws in conjunction with state and local ordinances.
• Enforces applicable state and county ordinances related to Animal Control issues, issuing citations for violations.
• Educates the public on humane and proper keeping of animals.
• Seizes sick, deceased, injured, and healthy domestic animals found at large and makes disposition, as well as performs euthanasia on unclaimed impounded animals.
• Transports animals to county shelter, the Humane Society, and to veterinarians.
• Investigates animal bite incidents, including rabies, and prepares specimens for rabies testing, including the removal of animal heads, in compliance with health regulations.
• Inspects licensed kennels and makes recommendation on suspension of licenses.
• Cares for and feeds animals and prepares necessary records and reports as required.
• Participates in court activities, which includes serving court documents to defendants, preparing reports, and making appearances to testify.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records related to operational activities and actions.
• Collects fees associated with animal redemption and animal licensing and maintains related financial records.
• Maintains vehicles utilized in daily activities and Animal Control shelter facilities.

EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements)

• High School Diploma or G.E.D
• One to two years of experience in Animal Control work

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES (minimum requirements)

• Animal Control Officer Certification
• Special deputy appointment
• CPR Certification
• Animal Tranquilizer and Euthanasia Certification
• Requires a valid driver's license and may require personal vehicle insurance and must maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's Vehicle policy.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (legal or contractual pre-employment obligations and/or requirements, such as drug testing, background check, etc.)

• May be required to serve in an “on-call” capacity.

A background check may be required initially and periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job. Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of a persons’ identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position; review of Department of Motor Vehicles records; Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law. A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant's or employee's suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.

BENEFITS

• Medical: The County offers employees a high-deductible plan through Priority Health. To help cover the cost of the deductible, Grand Traverse County will deposit a contribution amount up to $2,000 into an employee Health Savings Account every year. You may also direct deposit funds into this account every pay period.
• Vision: The County provides a no cost plan for employees. We also offer an enhanced plan through EyeMed.
• Dental: Our dental insurance provider is Delta Dental. You will pay no costs or premium for diagnostic and cleaning services.
• Wellness: Grand Traverse County is committed to creating a culture of health. We provide a variety of incentives and programs that allow you to live a healthy lifestyle.
• Employee Recognition: We highly value our employees, which we show by providing our employees awards and recognition throughout the year, and on anniversary dates.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed up to $5,250 annually for enrollment in courses at an accredited college, university, or trade school.
• Vacation: Grand Traverse County provides a generous amount of vacation days to benefitted employees so you can spend time with family and friends.
• Holidays: The County gives you 12 days a year to celebrate holidays. Beyond these 12 days, you will receive additional floating holidays to use at your discretion.
• Personal Leave: Employees receive up to 64 hours annually depending on contract, to use for appointments, take care of family needs and other personal reasons. Employees are paid every year for unused personal leave up to 40 hours.
• Parental Leave: Employees may take up to 6 months of leave to begin at birth or date of adoption of their child.
• Retirement: Grand Traverse County offers a defined contribution through MERS. The plan includes a generous match that fully vests after 6 years of employment. We also offer a deferred compensation 457b Plan.
• Life Insurance: Benefitted employees automatically receive life insurance.
• Short Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays two thirds of your salary or wages for a maximum of 182 days.
• Long Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays 60 percent of your salary or wages for a maximum of 24 months.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.72 per hour

Work Location: In person