AHPD Animal Care Services Assistant - City of Alamo Heights
Alamo Heights, TX
About the Job
JOB SUMMARY:
The Animal Care Services Representative promotes compliance with State Laws and Local Ordinances concerning the abatement of animal nuisances and humane animal care through proactive community involvement, publication of domestic animal care information as well as non-domestic animal issues/concerns, and programs to control feral cat populations.
The Animal Care Services Representative is assigned to Police Administration and reports to the Administrative Lieutenant.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Retrieves lost, stray or otherwise at-large domestic animals; determines ownership through license/owner identification tags or microchip in order to reunite domestic animals with owners; transports animals humanely to impound facilities when necessary.
- Investigates domestic animal complaints and conducts follow-up visits regarding City Code violations observed or reported to the Police Department.
- Conducts follow-up investigations for all reported animal bite/scratch cases to ensure post bite/scratch requirements are met in accordance with the Texas Health and Safety Code.
- Work proactively in the community to address domestic animal concerns; provides guidance to domestic pet owners regarding ownership responsibility, pet safety, and regulation/registration requirements.
- Maintain the Animal Care Services webpage on the City's website and provide updates as necessary; prepares community bulletins and newsletter articles pertaining to domestic and non-domestic animal issues and concerns.
- Maintain and update a lost and found page on the City's website to include pet description, owner information, pet location, and a picture of the lost/found pet.
- Remain current on non-domestic animal and wildlife issues/concerns; work proactively with the community to keep residents informed and provide guidance to discourage non-domestic and wildlife animal presence.
- Manage and promote the Trap-Neuter-Return Program (T-N-R) to control the feral cat population: work with volunteers and network with outside support providers for T-N-R Program opportunities and program enhancements.
- Enter all animal care services activities in the Police Department records management system; maintain databases and spreadsheets necessary to prepare activity reports and track expenditures.
- Attend and successfully complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of specialized training on topics involving domestic and non-domestic animal case service and animal control programs (Health and Safety Code Chapter 829.002).
- Disposes of dead animals found or reported on public or private property.
- Performs duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
LICENSES OR CERTIFICATION:
- Basic Animal Control Certification
- Valid Class C driver's license or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of State Laws and local Ordinances to include, but not limited to the Texas Penal Code Chapter 42, Texas Health and Safety Code Title 10, and Chapter 4 & 10 of the Alamo Heights City Codes.
- Knowledge in the care and use of animal control equipment, humane traps, humane capture and handling techniques, and animal transport procedures.
- Knowledge of basic animal care and the characteristics of domestic and non-domestic animals.
- Knowledge of computer equipment, basic computerized data entry procedures, and internet research procedures.
- Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Knowledge of the Alamo Heights Police Department General Manual.
- Knowledge of the Alamo Heights Employee Manual.
- Ability to research animal control/care issues and make recommendation for remediation.
- Ability to prepare newsletter articles and community bulletins concerning domestic and non-domestic animal issues/concerns.
- Ability to operate a digital camera and download pictures into computer programs.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively; address sensitive animal care services related concerns tactfully.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
- Ability to read and write the English language.
- Ability to work within the chain of command.
- Ability to safely operate City equipment and City owned vehicles in compliance with State Law, Department policy, and City policy
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Frequently required to lift or move heavy objects up to sixty (60) pounds.
- May be required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Able to tolerate regular exposure to various weather conditions and outside elements.
- Able to provide on-call responses to a variety of animal related concerns including, but not limited to injured/sick domestic and non-domestic species, wildlife intrusion, poisonous and non-poisonous reptile issues, relocation of trapped wildlife, aggressive canines, feral cats and other species of animals prohibited by City Codes.
- Able to withstand occasional levels of noise beyond reasonable levels.
- Able to demonstrate hand-eye coordination.
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.
Management has the exclusive right to alter this job
description at any time without notice.