ANIMAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT – ANIMAL WELFARE OFFICER

Minimum Qualifications

**Please note: This position may require you to work “on call”, rotating shift work, weekends and/or holidays.**

Acceptable Experience and Education
High School diploma or (GED), and one (1) year of animal care and handling experience excluding personal pets, or six (6) months as an Animal Welfare Attendant, and possess a Basic Animal Welfare Officer certification, OR obtain within one (1) year of employment;

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid Class “C” driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Patrols assigned area to locate animals in violation of animal regulation laws/ordinances. Involves: captures biting, vicious, diseased, loose or stray animals with nets, ropes or other devices;

Captures, handles, tranquilizes and euthanizes domestic and wild animals, as law permits;

Responds to dispatch calls in reference to loose animals;

Transports captured animals to impoundment facility;

Assists the public with inquiries and handles difficult customers;

Removes animals from truck and places them in designated cages and completes impoundment reports;

Investigates complaints and animal bite cases in conjunction with law enforcement;

Verifies animal licenses and rabies vaccinations;

Examines captured animals for obvious injuries and transports injured animals;

Aids in delivering animal brains for rabies examination;

Conducts animal cruelty and nuisance investigations;

Explains and enforces animal regulation laws, ordinances, policies, procedures, rules and regulations;

Issues warnings or citations for violations and presents cases in court;

Prepares and submits records, reports, and statistics;

Maintains and updates automated record keeping and files;

Maintains accurate documentation and tracking of violations and code enforcement activities;

Testifies in court proceedings as needed;

Inspects equipment, vehicles, and facility on a regular basis to ensure proper maintenance;
Reports damages or issues with vehicles or equipment to supervisor;
Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

May work weekends, holidays, and 24/7 standby.

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment;

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
Summary of Position
The Animal Welfare Officer under general supervision, assesses assigned area to locate animals in violation of animal regulation laws/ordinances, captures and impounds animals, investigates complaints, and enforces animal regulation laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Additional Information
Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Animal Welfare Officer Lead

Directs: This is a non-supervisory position

Other: Has frequent contact with other county employees, animal shelters, local veterinarians, area law enforcement officers and the general public.