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Job Summary
Job Description
Overview
The Animal Services Officer (ASO) I is an employee of Dallas Animal Services whose duty is to protect the health, safety and well-being of City of Dallas residents, animals, and communities. ASOs are being trained and authorized to enforce city ordinances and state laws regarding animal welfare. The City of Dallas provides 24/7 animal services coverage, which requires scheduling flexibility, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and overnights. The ASO is required to work at least one weekend day, some holidays and during inclement weather conditions. Until training and onboarding certifications haves been completed, ASO I will not be permitted to enter the field without a training officer.
Essential Functions
1. Investigates citizen complaints by conducting interviews, compiling detailed notes, and taking photos for evidentiary purposes related to:
- Animal bite investigations
- Dangerous dog investigation
- Aggressive dog activity
- Loose animals
- Animal welfare checks
- Improper confinement of animals
2. Utilizes a department-issued rugged tablet to accurately enter comprehensive data related to animals, owners, and complainants, as well as citation paperwork, violation notices, owner surrender forms, and bite reports.
3. Impounds lost animals, owned animals, and wildlife - some of which may be injured, sick, and aggressive - safely restraining and transporting them to the City of Dallas animal shelter. The ASO also returns found animals to owners.
4. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills
1 Knowledge of basic animal care and handling, behavior, and physical characteristics.
2 Ability to learn and follow city ordinances and state/federal laws pertaining to animal welfare.
3 Ability to meet and interact with the public, including citizens who may be anxious or upset.
4 Ability to employ de-escalation techniques and obtain pertinent information for investigation purposes.
5 Ability to prepare citations, warning notices, and other forms. 6 Ability to learn and recognize common animal diseases.
7 Ability to safely operate a large vehicle during high-stress traffic hours of the day, inclement weather, and poor road conditions.
8 Ability to physically lift animals of 50 lbs. or heavier into and out of an animal services vehicle.
9 Ability to learn and competently employ methods for safely handling dangerous, aggressive, sick, injured, and diseased animals.
10 Ability to perform intravenous injections and determine proper dosage of drugs to administer to animals.
11 Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
12 Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
13 Ability to learn and follow the City of Dallas and Dallas Animal Services department procedures, policies, and work instructions.
Minimum Qualifications:
EDUCATION:
High School Diploma or GED.
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of customer service or animal shelter/animal control experience that involved processing inquiries and/or complaints.
EQUIVALENCIES:
Basic Animal Control Officer (ACO) certification issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) will meet the education and experience requirements.
LICENSES and/or CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
Must obtain a basic Animal Control Officer (ACO) certification AND euthanasia certification issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) within probationary period.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
NO Felony Drug offenses within the last ten years
NO Animal Cruelty convictions
Availability to work varying shifts including nights, weekends, holidays and twenty-four seven (24/7) on call status
Subject to working in inclement weather
Salary Range
The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.
City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Other facts
About City of Dallas
Municipal government of Dallas, Texas, USA.
Dallas is the ninth largest city in the United States, with over 1.3 million residents. The City of Dallas operates with over 13,000 employees and an annual budget of $3.6 Billion.
Welcome to Dallas
Committed to "Service First" Excellence
Our core values are Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Equity
What you'll do
- The Animal Services Officer investigates citizen complaints related to animal welfare, conducts interviews, and compiles evidence. They also impound animals and ensure their safe transport to the shelter.
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