Animal Control Deputy

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Animal Control Deputy

SALARY:

$48,083.75 - $62,192.32

DEPARTMENT:

Opening Date:

05/01/2025

Closing Date:

05/15/2025 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction, responsible for safeguarding the health and safety of residents, ensuring the humane treatment of animals, and promoting responsible pet ownership through public education. Enforces local, state, and federal laws and ordinances concerning the care, treatment, selling, licensing and impounding of animals. Handles a wide variety of animals, including domestic pets, wildlife, livestock, dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks, birds of prey, and more.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patrols assigned County areas for stray animals and disposes of deceased animals.

Investigates animal bites, cruelty, and other complaints and issues citations, warnings, and warrants.

Prepares investigative reports that may be introduced as legal court evidence.

Appears for scheduled court dates and testifies regarding civil infractions, misdemeanors, and felony charges.

Identifies impounded animals and prepares daily impounding slips.

Performs humane euthanasia and prepares animals for rabies testing.

Provides care for animals according to established schedules and procedures.

Maintains logs and activity reports on a daily basis.

Performs inspections of kennels, horseback riding stables, and pet stores.

Transports animals for veterinary procedures.

Handles various types of animals including but not limited to domestic, wild, farm and livestock animals that are living or deceased.

Assists the public in the field and at the Animal Control facility with questions regarding animal care, laws, ordinances and regulations.

Sanitizes and maintains animal cages, kennels, pens and yards and reports any problems.

Inspects and sanitizes department vehicles and equipment daily and reports any problems.

Required to travel to attend mandatory training, conferences, or other events.

Works a flexible schedule as determined by operation demands, participates in on-call rotations and mandatory overtime, including weekends and holidays.

Operates an assigned County vehicle to perform assigned duties.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel

• As a condition of employment, must obtain certification by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as an Animal Control Deputy within probationary period

• As a condition of employment, must obtain certification in performing euthanasia and tranquilization techniques within probationary period

• As a condition of employment, certification in Level 1 and Level 2 from the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) or University of Missouri must be successfully completed within eighteen (18) months from date-of-hire

Preferred Education and Experience

• Previous animal control experience
   

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Animal health and wellbeing

• Law enforcement techniques, principles, and practices

• Local, state, and federal animal laws

• Basic court procedures

• Handling and caring for animals

• Animal euthanasia methods

• Tranquilization medications, methods, and techniques

• Exemplary verbal and written communication

Skill in:

• Active listening

• Physical agility and stamina

• Interpersonal skills

• Critical thinking

• Emotional intelligence

• Service orientation

• Public speaking

• Self-motivation

• A team-oriented approach

• Making sound decisions while under pressure in the field

Ability to:

• Foster a strong commitment to animal welfare

• Determine breeds, species, sex and age of animals

• Recognize signs o