Animal Control Officer

Salary: $19.20 - $20.37 Hourly
Location : TX, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00623
Department: Sheriff's Office
Division: BCSO Administration
Opening Date: 12/11/2023
Closing Date: 1/19/2024 5:00 PM Central
Description
Under general supervision, assists in controlling the animal population and educates the public on proper care and containment of animals.
Example of Duties
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. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. 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:

• Responds to citizen's complaints, investigates alleged acts of animal cruelty, and enforces local and state laws concerning Animal Control;
• Captures, restrains, and impounds animals;
• Follows-up on bite cases;
• Vaccinates animals;
• Euthanizes animals as needed;
• Prepares and maintains accurate records (including, but not limited to drugs logs), and reports of activities, incidents, and offenses;
• Maintains inventories of equipment, materials, and supplies required to support daily operations;
• Works closely with the public and gives suggestions or advice on problems and care relating to animals;
• Prepares and transports animal remains for testing to the Houston Rabies Lab in cases of suspect rabid animals;
• Issues citations for violations of County and/or State animal ordinances and regulations;
• Testifies as an expert witness in court for animal cruelty cases;
• Ensures that animals in custody are maintained in a healthy and sanitary environment as required by state laws and the liabilities incurred with the seizure of personal property;
• Inputs data into shelter software;
• Computes fees and issues receipts to owners claiming animals;
• Maintains, fuels, and services vehicles;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Knowledge and experience in the care and handling of all types of animals is preferred, as well as knowledge of Federal, State and County animal laws. Must be insurable by Brazoria County insurance provider in order to operate County vehicles.
Minimum requirements:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Have no more than 20/200 vision that is correctable to 20/20.
- No past convictions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI or DUI).
- No more than three (3) moving violations within the last 2 years.
- Possess a valid, current Texas Driver's License.
- Not have ANY felony convictions.
- Not have ANY misdemeanor convictions for any offense involving moral turpitude or family violence.
- Be a United States Citizen (born or naturalized)
- Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.
- If prior military service, possess an honorable discharge.
- Be prepared to purchase regulation departmental uniforms (a minimum of $200)
- Have a current, working telephone.
- Successfully pass a written examination consisting of vocabulary and comprehension skills. (Applicants failing this test will be allowed to test a second time not less than 90 days from the first test, if a position is available at that time.)
- Not previously been re-hired by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office more than once.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge of:

• Proper care and treatment of all types of animals;
• Proper use, care and maintenance of tools such as catch poles, traps, kennels, leashes and lariat ropes;
• County and state legal principles, practices, procedures regarding the criminal justice system;
• Court settings;
• Legal terminology and various state and federal codes and agencies;
• Applying concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations;
• Modern office procedures and equipment;
• Department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.

Skill in:

• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, including writing routine correspondence, reports, and specialized legal documents;
• Providing mature, experienced judgments during potentially hostile situations as well as regarding the legal and technical aspects of law enforcement;
• Maintaining strict confidentiality;
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with judges, managers, supervisor, employees, external public agencies and organizations, attorneys, bonding companies and the general public;
• Using initiative, discretion and decision making within established procedures, guidelines and rules;
• Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusion;
• Performing various mathematical calculations;
• Performing effectively under stressful working conditions;
• Multitasking and adjusting to constantly-changing projects and prioritizing job scheduling daily;
• Operating a computer and various software applications.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Valid Texas Driver's License;
Basic Animal Control Certification;
Euthanasia Certification;
State Certification in all required aspects of Animal Control, and the Laws of the State of Texas.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to high. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to a variety of environments to include, office, automobile, hospitals, jails, and courts of law. The employee is also exposed to outside weather conditions while assigned to various special cases. The assignments may require travel outside of the County to locations in other states. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Brazoria County is a local government entity that offers competitive salaries with an excellent benefits package, which includes:
Government Pension through TCDRS with 7% fixed interest and a county match of 2:1 at retirement; we do not pay into Social Security but instead contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan as an additional savings for retirement (AUL).
Reasonable medical/dental health insurance (Aetna) for employees and dependent coverage rates.
Section 125 Cafeteria Plans including- Aflac, Humana and others; free LTD; free Life Insurance coverage 3x annual salary with a cap of $150K; with AD&D.
Free employee health clinic, EAP; 14 paid holidays, vacation and sick benefits, free telemedicine services.
At retirement, a free paid up $50K Life Insurance policy; a 401h retiree medical reimbursement plan.