Animal Control Officer, Senior*

Salary : $46,966.40 – $63,918.40 Annually

Location : 1600 Chamberlayne Avenue, VA

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 88M00000020

Department: Office of Animal Care & Control

Opening Date: 08/07/2023

Closing Date: 8/14/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

The City of Richmond Office of Animal Care and Control is currently seeking a qualified and dedicated candidate for the position of Animal Control Officer, Senior.

This class enforces the City’s animal control ordinances. As assigned, incumbents may: provide animal control patrol; maintain a kennel; investigate complaints; interview witnesses; prepare case reports; issue citations; testify in court; enforce quarantines; attend special events; investigate animal cruelty, attacks, and complaints; humanely tranquilize and euthanize unhealthy animals and wildlife; prepare animals for rabies testing; conduct daily roll call; and maintain records and reports.

Incumbents in this class may serve as lead workers, assigning work and monitoring work completion.

This position requires working shift hours, which includes weekends and evening. Overtime may required as well.

This position is designated as Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions or inclement weather.

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y?
Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity…You!!!

Duties include but are not limited to

TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES: These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

• Patrols, as assigned, to ensure compliance and enforcement of Virginia and City Codes pertaining to animals. Responds to animal related calls; leads, conducts and coordinates independent and partnering raids and investigations; issues summonses for court; seizes/impounds animals from inhumane living conditions, as needed. Assists with aggressive animals and citizens.
• Performs a variety of paperwork including incident reports and update notes for all calls responded to; writes reports; keeps quarantines current; and communicates updates to staff. Maintains equipment, as needed.
• Conducts and closes investigations. Prepares cases for court including gathering documentation, printing pictures, talking with witnesses and documenting statements, discussing details with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, etc.
• Updates supervisor on current cases; keeps staff informed on the operations of the department.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.
Considerable knowledge of animal behavior and handling; aggressive animal handling; electronic databases and related software applications such as the shelter intake system Shelterbuddy; licensing laws; court and legal system as it relates to animal care and control general knowledge of government as it pertains to animal care and control;

Demonstrated skill understanding and appreciating animals; capturing and impounding dangerous or stray animals; answering calls regarding animals in the City; assigning work activities to others; communicating with various internal and external departments; investigating cases of animal cruelty; enforcing local and state laws; maintaining a list of up-to-date bite reports; maintaining a professional attitude and a positive relationship with citizens; providing assistance and guidance to others regarding difficult situations involving cruelty, aggressive animals, and citizens; providing training and instruction to others such as new officers; using communication skills to deescalate situations; evaluating situations and using judgment/discretion to charge someone with a crime for actions or negligence, and deciding whether to seize an animal from an owner for cruelty/neglect reasons; using a variety of animal control tools and equipment such as control pole, leash, animal trap, nets, mace, gloves, snake and cat tongs, etc.; fast decision making skills; using discretion to decide whether to seize an animal from a location pending the investigation; using discretion to decide whether to issue a summons to a citizen or provide them a chance to come into compliance; writing reports; communicating interpersonally

Demonstrated ability making judgments; multi-tasking; problem solving; maintaining an even temperament; being fair, firm and consistent

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Three years of related animal control experience
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record
• Requires a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver’s License within 30 days of hire
• Requires a basic animal control officer certification
• Requires a euthanasia certification within one year of employment.

With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an “Employer of Choice” among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an “Employer of Choice”.

The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.

01

10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran’s widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02

5-point veteran’s must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following:Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 – 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03

Employees in this job classification are designated as Essential Personnel and must be available to report to work during inclement weather, disasters and other emergencies. Are you willing and available to report to work during these conditions?

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires working shift hours, which includes weekends and evenings and overtime may be required as well. Are you willing and available to work shift hours, weekends, evenings and overtime?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of experience do you have working as an animal control officer?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 to 3 years of experience
• 3 or more years of experience

06

Are you certified for euthanasia in Virginia?

• Yes
• No

Required Question