city seal

City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

city seal

Animal Protection Officer Senior
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (80) Serv/Maint
Class Code: 10515 Salary Grade: JA9
Approved: October 24, 1997 Last Revised: September 11, 2017

Purpose:
 
Under general supervision, perform tasks related to rabies control, dangerous or vicious animal investigations, and animal impoundment, education and prevention services.  
 
 
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
1. Train and lead Field Services staff in performing field duties, investigation techniques, bite reporting, and injured animal handling. 
2. Investigate reports of rabies exposure, dangerous or vicious animals, and proper care violations. 
3. Safely and humanely capture and transport animals, including those who are sick, injured or potentially dangerous.
4. Establish quarantines and oversee home observations.
5. Perform field tranquilization on ill, injured, or dangerous domestic animals or wildlife 
6. Maintain a current list of declared Dangerous Dogs for public access.
7. Euthanize animals when necessary with understanding and compassion for the animal.
8. Respond to observed or reported emergency situations and ordinance violations as well as afterhours emergency calls as needed from the Austin Police Department.
9. Write reports and record data on appropriate log/forms.
10. Dispatch calls for service to field personnel. 
11. Answer citizens' questions and provide assistance and education to citizens regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance requirements.
12. Issue citations, obtain affidavits and testify in court.  Fill requests for records under the provision of the Texas Public Information Act.
13. Attend training sessions to attain or maintain certifications, or as required by management. 
14. Participate in prevention services such as teaching bite prevention classes, responsible pet ownership classes, etc.  Contribute to the programs and services that support the shelter’s live outcome goals.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
• Knowledge of State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances concerning animal related issues/complaints. 
• Knowledge of City of Austin and Travis County streets and roads. 
• Skill in safely handling wild, domestic and livestock animals, including those with unknown temperament.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications. 
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City of Austin employees and the public.
• Skill in the use of tools used to capture, restrain, and transport animals. 
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in verbal and written communication, including the ability to draft grammatically correct, concise reports under strict deadlines.
• Skill in Public speaking.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to diffuse heated encounters, both human and animal.
• Ability to identify animal species and breeds.
• Ability to train others.
• Adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of relevant work experience.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.
  • Certifications relevant to the job must be obtained within the given timelines.  The City will pay for any certifications obtained while employed with the City of Austin.
  • Employee must have a current certification with the State of Texas as an Animal Control Officer or obtain this certification within six (6) months of hire.
  • Must obtain chemical immobilization certification within six (6) months of hire.
  • Notary Public must be obtained within six (6) months of hire. 

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.