CASY-MSCCN Jobs

City of Fort Wayne

Animal Control Officer

Job Code:

2024163

Posted On:

Wednesday, 27th March 2024

Category:

Regular Full Time

Department:

Animal Care and Control

Shift:

Hours vary depending upon shift bid and assignment

Location:

Fort Wayne, IN 200 E. Berry Street

Pay Rate:

$28.58 per hour

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Works under the direction of the Deputy Director. Incumbent receives, investigates, prioritizes, and responds to calls related to public and animal safety. Calls for service range from; barking and sanitation; animals running at large; injured domestic animals and wildlife; aggressive and biting animals; cruelty, neglect, and hoarding cases; and calls regarding compliance to City and State regulations. Incumbent determines levels of intervention needed for each unique situation from educating public, removing animals from properties, issuing court summons for non-compliance with City Ordinances and submitting formal charges for violations of State Statutes. Maintain accurate record keeping and documentation of all interactions with the public, intake, and redemption of animals. Evaluate animal behavior and medical health to determine when animals require vaccinations / treatment / veterinary care and/or euthanasia. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies, and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESinclude the ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism and the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Planning/Implementation

• Evaluates each situation to determine the appropriate behavioral approach to successfully work with the animal and public. Maintains confidentiality and integrity of case investigation;
• Conducts a thorough investigation for all calls received and determine the appropriate course of action. Deescalates hostile situations and determine when other agency assistance is warranted in order to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the animals and public. Coordinates, corresponds, and contacts partnering agencies such as local Police Department, Fire Department, Board of Health, County Animal Control, Neighborhood Code, Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services as the situation requires. Photographs crime scene, animals, victims, potential evidence, environmental elements, and other photographs as required;

Information/Communication

• Works alone with minimal supervision. Uses police dispatching equipment, police codes, and criminal justice database Spillman and CAD daily to accurately receive, send and investigate calls. Reviews and prioritizes all incoming calls based on facts unique to each individual situation. Respond to calls with the required urgency and priority. Calls will range from low priority non-urgent calls to urgent priority calls requiring immediate response from the Animal Control Officer and FW Police Officers;
• Educates the public about animal care and training, process for lost and found animals, solutions for nuisance wildlife problems, departmental policies, animal control ordinances and State laws;
• Performs public speaking engagements as requested or assigned;
• Contact supervisor as questions on policy/procedure arise;

Management/Operations

• Monitors and assesses the behavioral and medical health of all animals received into Animal Control custody. Begins treatment for medical conditions within their scope of training and authority. Administer subcutaneous vaccines upon intake to animals. Documents all medications and vaccines in the shelter database, outlining dosage, frequency and timing. Informs the supervisor of concerns regarding the animals health that requires immediate veterinary care and/or changes in behavior or medical condition;
• Evaluates incoming animals health and behavior and determine the need for euthanasia as outlined by City Ordinance, shelter policies and/or as requested by the owner. Calculates the dosage and determine the appropriate route of euthanasia solution for each individual animal. Administers euthanasia solution in an accurate and humane manner in accordance with National Shelter Standards of Euthanasia. Assists supervisor and other technicians in the humane restraint and care of animals when not administering euthanasia. Implants microchips in animals and/or assist as needed;
• Processes animals into the shelter either from the field, office, after hours which includes but is not limited to: documents the animals breed, age, sex, color, etc. along with the contact information for the owner / finder in a specialized database; photographs all incoming animals; ensures that the unique shelter identification follows the animal and is placed on their kennel; locate and trace microchips and any other form of ID on the animal; attempts to contact owner to reunite the animal with its owner; ensures all animals have the proper food, water, bedding, and toys appropriate for the breed, weight and special conditions of each individual animal;
• Performs other duties including those duties of an Animal Care Specialist, Dispatcher, Adoptions Counselor, and/or Maintenance as needed or required;
• Performs on-call duties on a rotational basis;
• Demonstrates a historically safe driving record and maintains a valid Drivers License, will drive a city vehicle;

Document Management, Processing and Analysis

Applies elements of City Ordinance or State Statutes in case investigations to determine enforcement action. Conducts competent in-depth investigations on animal bites and more serious criminal and animal related civil violations. Determines when a situation is a possible crime scene and secure and process as necessary to maintain integrity and evidence of the scene. Collects, secures, and documents evidence that supports City or State cases. Prepares paperwork for City and State cases as required by the Courts and Prosecutors Office. Ensures all documentation, evidence, witness statements, photo logs, and other required information is accurate and concise in order for the Court or Prosecutor to determine if formal charges will be brought against the alleged individual. Testifies in Court regarding investigations conducted and knowledgeable on rules of evidence;

Utilizes numerous databases in the field to assist in the quick identification of an animal, owner, and previous interactions with the animal owner or address. Completes field redemptions to eliminate the animal being brought into the shelter. Intake animal into the specialized database, collect money as required, and ensure the necessary paperwork is completed by the owner. Completes work in various software programs, Microsoft office databases, mapping programs, in the field and in an office environment. Maintains confidentiality of information acquired from any and all databases along with sensitive information on current animal cases;

Conducts inspections for all individuals or businesses requesting or renewing City Permits. Determine if all