Animal Response Team Officer

Salary: $38,372.00 – $69,070.00 Annually

Location : Hampton, VA

Job Type: Full-Time Permanent

Job Number: 07707

Department: ANIMAL CONTROL

Opening Date: 07/31/2023

Closing Date: 8/14/2023 3:16 PM Eastern

Function
Patrols an assigned area in the enforcement of state and local animal control laws and ordinances. Impounds and confines stray and unlicensed animals. Responds to wildlife and domestic animal calls for service. Investigates animal bite incidents and other animal related complaints.
Examples of Work
Responds and investigates dispatched complaints regarding animals and wildlife.

Captures, impounds and disposes of animals by using a variety of issued equipment including injectable tranquilizers and Schedule II narcotics. Issues summons or obtains warrants. Appears in court as necessary to present evidence.

Completes reports and records by maintaining documents in accordance with state and local laws, documenting any problems that occur.

Responds to citizen complaints. Checks homes in question for various animal violations including lack of food, water, shelter, and assesses outside temperatures relating to cruelty to animal regulations.

Handles and employs a variety of specialized equipment safely and effectively, and in a manner consistent with law and departmental policy.

Provides animal education and teaching humane treatment of animals to citizens and school groups.

Rescues injured animals and/or performs field euthanasia of injured and sick animals as necessary by means of chemical injection.

Assists other personnel of the Police Division and those other agencies such as the Health Department, Fire and Rescue Division, Sheriff’s Office and Codes and Compliance with animal problems upon request. Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications
Requires high school diploma or successful completion of the GED; two years of college, vocational, or technical school with major emphasis in wildlife management, biology, animal husbandry or a closely related field preferred. Two years of college, vocational, or technical school with major emphasis in wildlife management, biology, animal husbandry or a closely related field may be substituted for the preferred knowledge of the proper care and handling of wild and domestic animals. An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the more specific qualifications outlined above.

Requires some work experience involving frequent customer, client, or other public contact and some knowledge of the proper care and handling of wild and domestic animals. Prior experience in animal handling as a veterinarian assistant, attendant at an approved kennel or as an animal control officer preferred.

Must successfully complete state mandated basic training for Animal Response Team Officer within twelve months of employment as well as successful completion of 12 weeks field training.

Must possess ability to: read and interpret federal, state and local laws and City ordinances, correspondence, various reports, contracts, articles and manuals; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; prepare reports and judicial documents using a personal computer and a variety of software; to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships.

Must be highly motivated toward the welfare and humane treatment of all animals. Must be able to deal both firmly and courteously with the general public.

Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the State of Virginia and must have a satisfactory driver’s record based on the City of Hampton’s criteria. Must pass a physical agility test, Hampton Police Division’s full Criminal background check to include a polygraph and psychological testing and have the ability to be designated as a Conservator of the Peace. Any person offered employment in this position must successfully pass medical testing to include controlled substances.
Features
Performs duties under the general supervision of the Animal Response Team Manager. Requires considerable public contact and considerable travel within the City. Requires shift work to include nights, weekends, holidays and on call emergency standby on rotating basis. Must be a United States citizen or have been a resident for ten (10) or more years, as a VCIN certification is required. Must possess sufficient physical strength to move and/or control resistant or immobilized animals, and to move, lift and carry up to 60 pounds. This is a non-exempt position.

Must be able to maintain the ability to provide credible testimony in court, to the magistrate and in other situations where credibility will be of importance. A sustained finding of untruthfulness at the conclusion of an internal investigation may result in immediate termination.

Benefits Overview

• The following plans are available the first of the month following one full calendar month of employment:
• -Health insurance
• -Dental insurance
• -Vision insurance
• -Reimbursement accounts
• Health insurance offered through Optima Health (1-800-229-1199). For more information on the provider network and pharmacies, see the
  The vision plan is offered through EyeMed Vision Care. For more information, see the
• Three dental plans are offered through Delta Dental (Delta Care, Delta Dental PPO, and Delta Dental PPO Plus) 1-800-237-6060. For more information, see the
  
• Employees begin accruing annual and sick leave immediately.
  
• The eleven paid holidays each year include:
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans’ Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Employee’s birthday
  
• A tax deferred retirement plan 457 is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation. An after-tax retirement plan, Roth IRA, is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation (1-800-669-7400). For more information, see the
  
• Group life insurance is offered through the VRS and the carrier is the Minnesota Life Insurance Company.

  Tax deferred retirement plan 457 is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation (1-800-669-7400). For more information, see the

• Training and Career Development: The Employee Education Assistance Program (EEAP) encourages employee development through (1) educational programs leading to a degree, (2) skilled craft or trade training leading to a certificate or license and (3) coursework to renew and update skills. Eligibility criteria apply. In addition, the City offers training opportunities in technological, leadership, supervisory, and other areas of government/business knowledge and skill development.
• Medical/Dental and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts are offered on a pre-tax basis in order to reduce the amount of tax the employee pays.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is confidential and personal counseling service for the employee and their immediate family (757-363-6777, 1-800-899-8174 or
  
• Direct deposit into most banks is a convenient finance feature.

  Savings bonds are available to the City’s workforce.

• Employees are covered for Workers’ Compensation where appropriate.

01

Do you have a High School diploma or successful completion of a GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a minimum of two years of college, vocational or technical school with a major emphasis in wildlife management, biology, animal husbandry or a closely related field of study?

• Yes
• No

03

How much experience have you had in animal handling as a veterinarian assistant, attendant at an approved kennel or as an animal control officer?

• None
• One to three years
• Three to five years
• More than five years

04

Do you have knowledge of the general care and handling of animals? If yes, please describe how you obtained this knowledge in the body of your application.

• Yes
• No

05

I understand that upon employment I must obtain and maintain for duration of employment the following: successful completion of Level I National Animal Control Association training, Special Conservator of the Peace Officer Designation, Euthanasia Certification, Chemical Immobilization and Capture Certification.

• Yes
• No

06

This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background investigation which may include a polygraph examination, and the ability to be designated as a Conservator of the Peace. I understand that this is required.

• Yes
• No

07

This position requires that you possess a valid Driver’s License and have a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton criteria. Failure to provide your driver’s license number will prevent us from considering your application. Please confirm your driver’s license number by entering it below:

08

I understand that this position requires considerable contact with the public.

• Yes
• No

09

This position requires work that is physically demanding requiring the strength to move and/or control resistant or immobilized animals, and to move, lift and carry up to 60 pounds. I understand that this position can be physically demanding.

• Yes
• No

10

I understand that this position is non-exempt.

• Yes
• No

11

Have you ever been charged with a crime (felony or misdemeanor) that has not been expunged, even if you were found not guilty, or the charges were dismissed?

• Yes
• No

12

Have you ever been rejected for employment or terminated for ANY reason, by ANY law enforcement agency? If yes, please provide the agency and reason.

13

Have you EVER been terminated from ANY job or received a written reprimand? If yes, please provide details below.

14

Have you EVER, as an ADULT or JUVENILE, been arrested, charged, indicted or convicted for violation(s) of ANY city, municipal, state, or federal law, whether Felony or Misdemeanor? ? If so, provide an explanation that includes date, location, charge and disposition.

15

Have you EVER been detained by ANY law enforcement representative, been the subject of ANY criminal investigation, or been named as the accused on a warrant? If “yes”, please explain below in detail.

16

Have you EVER received ANY tickets for traffic violations (excluding parking tickets) on ANY license that you have held since you began driving? If “yes”, list type of violation, date received, jurisdiction, and disposition (i.e. fine, suspension, charge(s) dismissed) below.

17

Have you EVER consumed ANY drugs prescribed for another person? If “yes” provide the name or type of drug(s) and the last time consumed:

18

Have you EVER used, tried, ingested, or experimented with marijuana or ANY illegal narcotics or dangerous drugs or substances (i.e. heroin, cocaine, speed, LSD, methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, pcp, ecstasy, hallucinogens, exotic drugs, spice/salvia, etc.)? If “yes”, indicate what type of drug and when you last used it?

19

Have you EVER sold ANY type of illegal drug, delivered illegal drugs, or directed another person where to buy drugs to include marijuana? If “yes”, indicate what type of drug and the last time you engaged in these activities.

20

Have you applied for ANY other Law Enforcement Agencies (Federal, State, & Local) either presently or in the past? If so, please provide the agency and results below.

21

Have you purposely omitted ANY information from your employment application?

• Yes
• No

Required Question