Animal Control Officer - Lake County Government
Leadville, CO 80461
About the Job
Based on years of experience. Additional pay potential for higher education and level of Spanish proficiency.
FSLA Status: Full-Time, Non-exempt
Position Summary:
Responsible for enforcing County laws regarding stray, dangerous, nuisance and unwanted domestic animals; investigates complaints; patrols assigned areas; captures animals; performs other duties related to humane animal protection and control.
Benefits:
- Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
- 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
- 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
- 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
- 401(a) and 457(b) Retirement Plans with a 9% Employer Match
- Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days and Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!
- Wellness Stipend of $427
- Personal PTO hours available upon your start date
- Paid Continuing Education for ongoing professional development
- Work-Life Balance with flexible working conditions
- Merit and cost-of-living raises to ensure competitive compensation
- Please review the 2024 Benefits Guide for full details.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
Essential Functions
• Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous or diseased animals.
• Conducts investigations of complaints regarding animal cruelty and neglect; investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.
• Explains local laws, codes and ordinances relating to the care and control of animals, filing of complaints, and policies of the shelter to the public; sells rabies vaccination, microchip, or sterilization vouchers to animal owners.
• Performs shelter duties as required; reports need for supplies and maintenance.
• Issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; patrols assigned areas operating County vehicles.
• Captures stray and unlicensed animals for impounding; removes dead animals from public and private properties; transports injured animals and provides for their care.
• May testify in court regarding citations and disposition of complaints.
• Maintains records and prepares daily reports related to work performed.
• Operates humane traps, mobile radios, cellular phones, and related animal control tools and equipment.
• Identifies basic symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary medical care of isolation to the animal owner.
• May speak to and meet with a variety of community, business and educational organizations to further goals of the program.
• Maintains records of work performed and materials used.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a team.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public
Other Duties
Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements
• Education and Experience: High School Education/GED; AND two (2) years of experience in experience with animals in a shelter or animal control function; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Colorado Driver’s License
Knowledge of:
• Behavior and handling of common domestic animals.
• Methods and equipment used in the care and control of animals.
State and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the proper care and control of animals.
• Safety practices related to the work.
• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic animals.
• Basic symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
• Health and hygiene of animals.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, at all levels of responsibility, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
Skill in:
• Handling and controlling animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency circumstances.
• Assessing animal behavior and making effective decisions regarding handling the animal.
• Identifying symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other common domestic animal diseases.
• Maintaining accurate and legible records and preparing basic reports using Microsoft Office applications.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Speaking English effectively to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Dealing successfully with the public, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
Physical Activity & Work Environment
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to work in a typical kennel setting, use standard office equipment; strength and stamina to lift and maneuver animals weighing up to 100 pounds with proper equipment; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
Work is subject to performance while exposed to adverse environmental conditions, loud noises and unpleasant sights and odors; exposure to animal bites and other related injuries; incumbent must be willing to handle injured, ill or dead animals in potentially hazardous situations.
Hazard Notice
Employee may be exposed to and be required to work with escalated individuals.
EOE Statement
Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.
Lake County Benefits - Full-Time Employees
As a reflection of the value we place on the contributions of our employees, the County offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees. Please review the 2024 Benefits Guide for full details. The Guide provides information on Lake County Government's benefit offerings, including:
- Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
- 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
- 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
- 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
- 401(a) and 457(b) Employer Matched Retirement Plans
- Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days and Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Public Health Emergency Leave
- Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!
Lake County Benefits - Part-Time Employees
Lake County is also proud to offer paid sick time off and flexible work schedules for our part-time employees.
EOE Statement
Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.
Notice of Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities
All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.
Other Duties
Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Expected Duration of the Application Process
Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.
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