ANIMAL CONTROL LEADWORKER

CLASS DESCRIPTION

General Responsibilities:

This is specialized lead work and programmatic activity in the enforcement of City Ordinances governing animal control, care, health, and welfare. In addition to performing the full range of duties of an Animal Control Officer, this position is characterized by general program coordination and leadworker activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Environmental Health Services Supervisor.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

Receive and respond to (and/or oversee the response to) complaint calls involving domestic and wild animals. Investigate and resolve the more complex complaints. Control and/or capture dangerous, injured, or sick animals, including those that are possibly rabid. Impound animals. Enforce all applicable City and State laws and ordinances. Issue warnings and citations. Appear in court when needed. Perform and/or oversee case management activities, maintain records, and make follow-up contacts as appropriate.

Investigate and/or oversee the investigation of animal bite and dangerous animal cases and perform necessary follow-up activities, to include animal capture, control and impoundment. Enforce quarantines for rabies. Prepare reports, notifications, citations, etc. Patrol the city on assigned shifts for stray and unlicensed animals and identify other animal-related violations.

Provide leadership to Animal Control Officers by advising them in the more difficult aspects of the work, as required. Schedule and train staff.

Design, recommend and implement public information programs relating to the responsibilities of animal ownership and related domestic and wild animal concerns. Develop, recommend and implement operating procedures for the work unit.

Provide program liaison and coordination with the City Police Department, City Attorney's Office, County Humane Society, etc. in the resolution of problems and in the development of related procedures.

Prepare and maintain necessary written records, reports, and statistics.

Operate small arms, tranquilizing equipment and other devices to control, impound or euthanize animals when necessary. Operate a mobile radio.

Perform related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of the characteristics, care and requirements of domesticated and wild animals. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other agencies, and the public. Knowledge of the Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and ordinances relative to domesticated and wild animals. Ability to lead Animal Control Officers and to advise them on the more discretionary aspects of the work. Ability to effectively participate in the development of operating procedures. Ability to maintain records. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to speak before groups in making informational presentations. Ability to deal effectively with persons who may be upset, confused, and/or angry. Ability to control animals that may be sick, injured, vicious, and/or fractious. Ability to prepare accurate and detailed records, reports, and correspondence. Ability to make skillful detailed observations. Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions. Ability to operate independently in the field and to deal with potentially dangerous situations.

Training and Experience:

Three years of experience in the handling, care, and/or control of diverse animals (including sick, injured, and potentially dangerous animals), at least one year of which was in an enforcement capacity comparable to the class of Animal Control Officer with the City of Madison. Such experience would normally be gained after graduation form high school or an equivalent. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledges, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of these positions will also be considered.

Necessary Special Qualification:

Possession of a valid driver's license. Possession of the physical requirements necessary to perform the functions of this position. (See Physical Requirements Addendum). Ability to obtain and maintain Health Department certification to operate remote chemical capture equipment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS ADDENDUM (Animal Control Officer and Leadworker)

Daily: Ability to lift and control struggling animals (up to 75 pounds alone or 140 pounds with assistance); place animals into large cage, and load cage into vehicle or van.

Daily: Ability to transport a filled 2' x 1' animal cage (weighing up to 50 pounds) for 100 yds. in a manner which avoids contact with the animal.

Monthly: Ability to capture aggressive animals using such tools as a snarepole or dart gun, get the animal to the vehicles, and force into cage.

Quarterly: Ability to accurately and effectively use a chemical dart gun to subdue animals.

Annually: Ability to transport (with another person) wounded or tranquilized animals, including animals in excess of 140 lbs., by stretcher, including removal from fenced areas, culverts, drainage ditches, or other obstacles.

Daily (A-J): Ability to remove animals from drain basins.

Daily: Ability to work in adverse weather conditions. Ability to operate a motor vehicle in all types of weather conditions.

Daily: Ability to denote colors for animals identification.

Ability to receive preexposure vaccination for rabies.