General Statement

Responsible for the enforcement of city and state regulations pertaining to animals within the city limits. Investigates animal complaints; provides education and information to the public regarding animal related issues such as protecting residents from stray or vicious animals, and related diseases. Patrolling for loose, stray, sick, or injured animals. Captures, impounds, transports, and removes deceased animals from roadways. Maintains records, prepares, and submits reports to supervisor, and work a flexible schedule as needed.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Patrols the city to prevent animal related violations; enforce ordinances; respond to calls from Dispatch.
• Responds to priority and non-priority calls for service and take appropriate action.
• Investigate bite incidents, cruelty cases, welfare concerns, potential rabies exposures, and complaints related to animals in violation of the city ordinance and determine if other violations are present. Gather evidence needed in preparing a case for court.
• Appears and testifies in municipal and/or county court in cases involving violations of city ordinances and state laws related to animal control.
• Impound and transport stray and other animals, both domestic and wildlife, including those who are sick, injured, or potentially dangerous.
• Issues verbal warnings, written warnings, and/or citations for violations of the city ordinance.
• Educate animal owners and citizens on animal ordinances and proper care.
• Participate in public events and/or presentations to educate the public regarding responsible pet ownership.
• Operates the Animal Control truck in the performance of duties and utilizes specialized equipment in the capture of animals such as catch poles, live animal traps, nets, and other standard animal control equipment.
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains animal control truck and supplies to ensure disease management protocols and proper functionality.
• Provides humane treatment to animals while in the Animal Control Officer’s custody.
• Collaborates with other departments and agencies as required to ensure compliance.
• Prepares/receives correspondence, reports, or other work products.
• Interact with the public by phone and in person, sends/receives facsimiles, provides and receives written and verbal information to the public, responds to citizen service requests, and direct inquiries.
• Attend training courses as assigned, including overnight travel as necessary.
• Maintain continuing education requirements for an Animal Control Officer.
• Attend meetings and participate on committees and boards as assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience, and/or Certifications Required

• High School Graduate or Equivalent; and
• Minimum of one (1) year of full-time experience working directly with animals in a shelter, veterinarian, or animal control capacity, and one (1) year of customer service experience.
• OR any combination of experience, training, and/or education that demonstrates the required job duties.
• Animal Control Officer certification highly preferred, or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire date.
• Must pass an extensive personal background check and have or be able to obtain a valid Texas Driver’s License and be eligible for coverage under the City of Kyle’s vehicle insurance provider.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures; local and state ordinances and laws; court procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to successfully perform in a high-pace environment.
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office Suite Software.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and reach conclusions; deal with problems involving several variables.
• Ability to exercise judgement and discretion in dealing with the public and in interpreting and applying departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to compose and prepare reports, records, and correspondence.
• Ability to understand and execute complex written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience and know to find information.
• Ability to successfully multi-task; remain calm and act resourcefully in the performance of job responsibilities and work independently.
• Ability to operate the following: computer, printer telephone, copy machine, calculator, fax machine, and vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS: 
The duties of this job require the employee frequently to sit; stand; walk; run; reach with hands, fingers, and arms; handle or feel objects, tools or controls; climb; balance; bend; stoop; and kneel, crouch; and/or crawl. The employee regularly is required to read; speak, including talking on a telephone; and hear with background noise. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is expected to be able to bend, stoop, reach, and stand, sometimes for lengthy periods.
 
Medium to heavy work that involves carrying, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, and exerting up to seventy-five (75) pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, including restraint of animals in varying size, age, and physical condition.
 
Exposure to extreme temperatures when outdoors, general driving hazards, physical risk from aggressive and/or wild animals, zoonotic diseases, hazardous chemicals, and potentially irate members of the public. Possible exposure to rabies.
 
The noise level in the work environment can range from moderate to loud at times.