Animal Services/Control Officer (ACO) - City of Brenham, TX

Summary

Enforces the City Code of Ordinances and state regulations involving animal welfare issues. Responds to requests for service to citizens, visitors, and businesses of Brenham. Protects the public and animals through public education and the application of humane animal welfare concepts.

The starting rate of pay is $15.81 per hour (Paygrade 16). There is a possibility of higher starting pay based on job certifications and additional experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.

• Cleans and maintains city animal shelter to established guidelines, including feeding and watering animals and cleaning holding facilities; 

• Safely and humanely captures and transports animals including those that are stray, sick injured or potentially dangerous;

• Provides rotating Emergency 24-hour standby and callback services after-hours, 365 days a year including weekends and holidays;

• Conducts inspections by patrolling the city for animal violations, investigating neglect or other animal complaints, responding to citizen's requests for service;

• Issues citations for animal related violations, investigates criminal violations for Municipal and District Courts and executes warrants 

• Educates the public about animal control laws, regulations, and issues pertaining to animal behavior, health, responsible pet ownership, and public safety;

• Provides assistance to the Brenham Pet Adoption Center (BPAC), including adoption services, receiving surrendered animals, conduct euthanasia administration and dispatches service requests;

• Provides rotating weekend shifts to BPAC;

• Enforces state laws pertaining to rabies quarantines and preparing specimens for rabies testing shipped to DSHS;

• Assists Police and Fire Departments as requested;

• Removes and properly disposes of dead animals from areas in city jurisdiction; 

• Operates, maintains, cleans, and reports any issues for city assigned vehicle, equipment & tools.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This is a non-supervisory position.

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 essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school graduation or its equivalent; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge Of

Local and state laws, regulations, and ordinances as they pertain to animal control, animal behavior, safe animal handling, breed characteristics, computers, and standard office practices and procedures.

Skill/Ability To

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public, customer service, ability to work independently, communicate effectively, operate a computer, and read and understand manuals, policies, and other documents.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Basic Certification as a Texas Animal Control Officer through the Texas Department of State Health Services preferred or must be obtained within 180 days of hire; obtain Euthanasia Certification within 180 days of hire; Bite Stick (Baton) training within 180 days of hire; must currently hold a valid Texas driver's license with a clean driving record per City of Brenham policy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity, work with tools and equipment, drive vehicles, perform repetitive motions, perform work involving the entire body, stand, and walk and balance on all types of surfaces. The employee is required to bend from the waist, crouch, or squat, kneel, sit, crawl, climb, twist, and reach with arms and hands. The employee is required to lift and/or move objects or animals weighing up to 100 pounds or more and may be required to carry, push, and pull materials. The employee must be able to see clearly, with or without vision correction, in close situations, at a distance, and peripherally, and be able to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment always requires that the employee exercise caution and adhere to safety standards to avoid the risk of personal injury. The employee is exposed to outdoor elements, loud noises, vibrations, strong odors, and angry and/or unhealthy animals. The work environment is noisy and distracting.

All offers of employment shall be made contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment background and other screenings, as determined by the City of Brenham. Depending on the requirements of the position, the following background and pre-employment screening(s) may be conducted:

• Criminal Background
• Driver's License History
• Drug Screening
• Physical
• Respirator Medical Evaluation
• Skills Testing for Required Skills/Job Duties
• Employment Verification
• Reference Checks
• Public Safety Background Investigation
• Verification of Education