Animal Protection Officer Senior (Multiple Positions)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (2) years of relevant work experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.
• Certifications relevant to the job must be obtained within the given timelines. The City will pay for any certifications obtained while employed with the City of Austin.
• Employee must have a current certification with the State of Texas as an Animal Control Officer or obtain this certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must obtain chemical immobilization certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Notary Public must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Notes to Applicants
Who Are We?
Austin Animal Center‘s mission is to enhance the lives of pets and people by preventing animal homelessness, to help lost pets find their way home or find new homes, to provide education and resources to preserve the human-animal bond, and to administer animal-related ordinances to ensure public and animal safety, all while achieving a 95% live outcome rate for sheltered pets.
What is the Job?
The Animal Protection unit is seeking someone who will share our commitment to the programs and services we offer to Austin and Travis County citizens, supporting responsible pet ownership and public safety.
We work to build trust in the community through a message that balances community engagement with enforcement. Our goal is to explore available options to ensure that the Austin/Travis County animals remain with their families whenever possible. They will minimize the need for animal sheltering services by effectively addressing an individual’s barriers to pet retention and connecting the individual with the resources that will enable them to keep their pet in the home. By providing resources as well as listening to concerns, the Animal Protection Unit does its part to keep the City of Austin No-Kill.
The position will serve in a specialized role in our team, being both the lead investigator and subject matter expert over all matters pertaining to Severe Bites. This position’s responsibilities will include serving as a court liaison, primary investigator for severe bites cases, reports of serious bodily injury and maulings, and following these cases through the court and hearing process.
The ideal candidate for this position will have experience in investigative processes, be an excellent verbal communicator, strong writing skills, exemplary customer service, computer proficient, and be a self-starter who can learn independently.
This position will require the ability to work in a variety of environments. Indoor/outdoor, early morning/after hours, and in varying weather conditions with or without accommodations. This position is considered essential; therefore, you will be required to work on the weekends or holidays.
Regarding Your Application:
Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.
Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Class C Texas Driver’s license or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
If you are selected to interview:

• Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference.

If you are selected for hire:

• You must provide proof of education which may include your official college transcript, High School diploma, GED or equivalent degree and your professional licenses.
• A Criminal Background check ( CBI ) will be conducted.

Additional Information:

• Animal Service Office worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any ASO worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
  Please Note: this posting may close any time after 7 days.

Pay Range
$22.40 - $25.48 per hour
Hours
This position will work 40 hours per week; four - ten hour shifts, typically Sunday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Saturday. Overnight, on-call, emergency and holiday shift work is required. Days and hours subject to change with notice.
Job Close Date 03/05/2024 Type of Posting External Department Animal Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 7201 Levander Loop Austin TX 78702 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience with investigative processes.
• Experience in delivery of no-kill animal services.
• Experience operating a variety of motor vehicles including trailers and hand tools.
• Experience working independently in a field setting.
• Bilingual - Spanish.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Train and lead Field Services staff in performing field duties, investigation techniques, bite reporting, and injured animal handling. Investigate reports of rabies exposure, dangerous or vicious animals, and proper care violations. Safely and humanely capture and transport animals, including those who are sick, injured or potentially dangerous. Establish quarantines and oversee home observations. Perform field tranquilization on ill, injured, or dangerous domestic animals or wildlife Maintain a current list of declared Dangerous Dogs for public access. Euthanize animals when necessary with understanding and compassion for the animal. Respond to observed or reported emergency situations and ordinance violations as well as after hours emergency calls as needed from the Austin Police Department. Write reports and record data on appropriate log/forms. Dispatch calls for service to field personnel. Answer citizens’ questions and provide assistance and education to citizens regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance requirements. Issue citations, obtain affidavits and testify in court. Fill requests for records under the provision of the Texas Public Information Act. Attend training sessions to attain or maintain certifications, or as required by management. Participate in prevention services such as teaching bite prevention classes, responsible pet ownership classes, etc. Contribute to the programs and services that support the shelter’s live outcome goals.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
• Knowledge of State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances concerning animal related issues/complaints.
• Knowledge of City of Austin and Travis County streets and roads.
• Skill in safely handling wild, domestic and livestock animals, including those with unknown temperament.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City of Austin employees and the public.
• Skill in the use of tools used to capture, restrain, and transport animals.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in verbal and written communication, including the ability to draft grammatically correct, concise reports under strict deadlines.
• Skill in Public speaking.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to diffuse heated encounters, both human and animal.
• Ability to identify animal species and breeds.
• Ability to train others.
• Adhere to disease management and safety protocols.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for this position are: Graduation from high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of relevant work experience. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires: A current certification with the State of Texas as an Animal Control Officer or that you obtain one within six (6) months of hire. Must have or obtain chemical immobilization certification within six (6) months of hire. Must have or obtain Notary Public within six (6) months of hire. Do you, or will you be able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver License or, if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Describe your experience with conducting complex investigation and rabies control reporting.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your knowledge of and experience with animal related issues.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience with delivery of no-kill animal services.
(Open Ended Question)
* What type of motor vehicles and hand tools do you have experience with?
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience working independently in a field setting?
(Open Ended Question)
* Are you fluent (read, write, and speak) in English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents Optional Documents