Salary : $42,791.00 – $49,623.00 Annually
Location : Hillsborough NC 27278, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 189-2023-374
Department: Animal Services
Opening Date: 10/17/2023
Closing Date: 10/31/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description
The Orange County Animal Services Department has an opening for a Animal Control Officer. The work involves the primary responsibility for responding to calls for service from the public involving domestic animals and wild animal rabies vectors. An employee in this class provides community-oriented animal services to residents, enforcing local ordinances and state laws regarding animals with a strong emphasis on customer service and education. Responsibilities include responding to injured, aggressive, attacking, nuisance, or neglected animals. Work requires a strong emphasis on public interaction and exceptional communication skills.
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Animal Control Manager with considerable leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making decisions regarding customer needs. Supervision over others is not required of this position. Position does related work as required.
Officers must reside within a thirty (30) minutes or less commute from the Animal Services Center located in Chapel Hill NC and be ready to respond within fifteen (15) minutes to all calls received from county communications (911).
* This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. Background Check is required. Fitness for Duty Assessment is required.
Examples of Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions: Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Enforces all state and local laws pertaining to the ownership and control of dogs and other animals.
Responds to calls when a dog, cat, ferret, or wildlife bites an Orange County resident, and determines rabies risk by investigating the situation and observing the wound.
Documents the injury and information provided; takes a statement from the victim, pet owner and witnesses regarding the incident; verifies rabies vaccine status and quarantines the animal in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes.
Reports all bites reported by citizens to public health agencies as required by North Carolina General Statutes.
Responds to calls when domestic animals are causing nuisance as defined in the county animal ordinance and provides information to the public regarding applicable animal laws.
Informs individuals of laws and penalties for violations, follows up with citizens for compliance; issues warnings/citations.
Ensures domestic animals living within Orange County are provided adequate care as defined by local and State statutes.
Responds to animal cruelty complaints, animal abandonment, and abuse and neglect cases, and investigates alleged animal cruelty on a case-by-case basis. Documents findings, interviews and takes statements from witnesses; issues Notice of Animal Cruelty Violations and follows up for compliance; in accordance with the laws of North Carolina. Confiscates animals depending upon the severity of the neglect, provides documents and reports to law enforcement and the District Attorney and provides court testimony.
Investigates animal tethering complaints; informs the pet owner of tethering laws, follows up for compliance and takes necessary enforcement actions.
Impounds/confiscates stray domestic animals in response to calls from residents, warrants/court-orders or when observed while driving to and from dispatched calls, including, but not limited to, cats, dogs, pigs, goats, horses and cattle.
Works to locate an animal owner to return an animal while working in the field to avoid impoundment or shelter admission.
Investigates reports of observed dangerous animal behavior and issues declarations for confinement when domestic animals are found to be dangerous or potentially dangerous and responds to animal bites or nuisance complaints about an attack to another animal; and provides testimony at appeal hearings for dangerous animal declarations.
Sedates or euthanizes wounded or suspicious wild animals that are posing a threat to domestic animals, humans or property.
Attends classes, meetings, and workshops related to the responsibilities of an Animal Control Officer.
Uses departmental software to document daily and end of day field activity and other records, inputs data and case documentation according to Department policies and procedures.
Prepares and maintains accurate and legible records, reports, dispatch logs and monthly spreadsheets.
Answers incoming calls, assists callers or forwards to the appropriate staff member.
Adheres to State, local and the department’s safety rules and regulations.
Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, and e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the Animal Services Department; familiarity with the various programs offered by Animal Services.
Thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations related to the work responsibilities of an Animal Control Officer.
Thorough knowledge of animal welfare, animal behavior, common animal diseases, and best practices for animal control methods.
Skill in the humane handling and care of companion animals and wildlife, including dogs, cats, little critters, farm animals, raccoons, foxes and bats.
Ability to demonstrate interpersonal relations with others.
Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills.
Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both orally and in written communication.
Ability to diffuse escalated situations and to act quickly in emergencies.
Ability to use firearms for emergency field euthanasia, pepper spray and tranquilization equipment such as blowpipe or dart gun.
Ability to focus on tasks while remaining alert to surroundings and potential safety hazards.
Ability to operate modern office equipment with proficiency (i.e. telephone, personal computer and software applications, copier and fax machine).
Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with co-workers, outside agencies, pet owners and the public.
Ability to participate in ongoing training.
Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s Degree AND one (1) year of work experience in handling and restraining a variety of domesticated and non-domesticated animals; OR
Possession of a High School Diploma or GED AND three (3) years of work experience in handling and restraining a variety of domesticated and non-domesticated animals.
National Animal Care and Control Association Certification preferred.
Training in Large Animal Rescue and Animal Handling and Restraint preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful clearance of a background check, drug screen and fitness test. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
This position’s work schedule isbased on service needs in the community and within the Department. Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
An employee in this classification is required to provide services on an on-call basis during evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and during inclement weather on a rotational schedule.
Overtime pay and call back to duty pay is provided for after hour on call work in addition to the base salary.
Work involves driving an animal control vehicle and transporting live animals.
Physical Requirements and Possible Hazards
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Ability to physically perform (with or without reasonable accommodation) basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.
Must be able to physically crawl in confined areas.
Must be able to lift up to 75 to 100 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 25 to 50 pounds routinely.
Must be able to handle animals which are sick or injured, frightened or dangerous, or who may display unpredictable behavior.
Work requires exposure to potentially hazardous conditions such as aggressive animals, zoonotic diseases, angry people and unsanitary housing conditions.
Work requires an employee to work outdoors with expose to various weather conditions.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a computer terminal and determine the dispositions of animals, humans and assess hazardous situations.
Worker is exposed to noise, vibration, mechanical hazards, respiratory hazards (i.e. fumes, gases, chemicals, dust or dirt), chemicals that may cause burns or irritation to skin, respiratory system or eyes, oils, mace, tranquilizing drugs.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:
- Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
- Orange County contributes 12.85% of your base salary per pay period and 14.10% for LEO.
- Health Insurance (Medical)
- Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
- Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
- Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
- Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
- Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
- Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees’ salary up to $50,000.
- Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
- Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
- Orange County contributes $29.15 per pay period ($757.90 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
- Orange County contributes up to an additional $67 ($1742 annually) for voluntary supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
- Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
- 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
- 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
- 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
- 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
- 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
- 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year
- 96.2 hours/year
01
Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.
- Yes
02
I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have or are you able to obtain a driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina?
- Yes
- No
04
Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?
- Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
- Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
- Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
- No, I am not an Employee
05
Please indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school.
- High School or GED
- Associates’ Degree
- Bachelors’ Degree
- Masters’ Degree
- Professional Certifications
06
How many years of work experience do you have handling and restraining a variety of domesticated and non-domesticated animals?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year but less than 3 years
- 3 or more years
07
Do you currently possess a National Animal Care and Control Association Certification?
- Yes
- No
08
List any other certifications you have related to this position.
09
Do you have training in Large Animal Rescue and Animal Handling and Restraint?
- Yes
- No
10
Do you live within a thirty (30) minute or less commute from the Animal Services Center located in Chapel Hill, NC.?
- Yes
- No
11
Would you be able to respond after hours from home within fifteen (15) minutes to all calls received from county communications (911)?
- Yes
- No
12
This position’s work schedule is based on service needs in the community and within the Department. Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. An employee in this classification is required to provide services on an on-call basis during evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather on a rotational schedule. Are you willing able to accommodate this schedule?
- Yes
- No
13
This position requires the ability to lift up to 75 to 100 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 25 to 50 pounds routinely. Are you able to meet the physical requirements of this position?
- Yes
- No
Required Question