DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Apply Bernalillo County Animal Code and New Mexico state laws pertaining to animals, Bernalillo County policy and procedures, and operational directives.
- Enforce applicable animal care laws. Impound, sick, injured, or aggressive domestic, livestock or wild animals.
- Investigate allegations of animal neglect and cruelty, animal bites, and permit requirements; remove and dispose of dead animals; quarantines bite animals.
- Work to reunite stray animals with their owners. May impound stray animals at risk.
- Identify illness or injury and transports animals to be evaluated for treatment or euthanasia.
- Use radio equipment and cell phone to communicate with dispatch and other staff, must use a variety of computer software and equipment to prepare investigative reports, daily log sheets, legal documents and other reports as required.
- Write criminal complaints and appears and testifies in court.
- Address groups and organizations relating to animal care and community animal related issues and dispenses information.
- Use specialized equipment for the purposes of animal care, capture and containment.
- Safely operate a variety of animal care vehicles and equipment.
- Provide instruction, guidance, and leadership to lower-level officers through department approved training, and by setting an example of professionalism.
- Train and monitor the work of assigned staff and oversee daily field services activities in the absence of the supervisor.
- Answer dispatch phone line and radio if requested in the absence of the dispatcher.
- Obtain information through interrogation, observation, and investigation.
- In certain roles, responsibilities may involve performing euthanasia tasks.
*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or GED and four (4) years' experience performing animal care enforcement or maintenance, or training and handling of livestock, domestic or wild animals or law enforcement to include one (1) year experience of which must be as an animal care or control officer.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Individuals performing euthanasia are required to hold a valid license as a Euthanasia Technician issued by the State of New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- Prior to performing euthanasia tasks, approval from the Director of Animal Care must be obtained.
PREFERENCES
- Experience in animal services, law enforcement, or veterinary field.
SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE
The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:
- Experience in animal services, law enforcement, or veterinary field.
- This position is safety sensitive. Employment is subject to a pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state rules and regulations regarding alcohol and/or drug testing.
- Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background check.
- Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.
- Employee must complete required FEMA trainings as assigned to position.
- Employee must wear uniform, badge, and ballistic vest.
- Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver's license by employment date and maintain a valid NM driver's license while employed in this position.
- Must be able to work weekends, holidays, on call and other shifts.
- Must be public service oriented and have strong skills and abilities in a wide variety of areas including communication, critical thinking and problem solving.
- Successful and satisfactory completion of Level I cruelty investigations training through LETI, Code 3 associates, or equivalent approved by the Director.
- Successful and satisfactory completion of NACA ACO I and NACA ACO II certification administered by the National Animal Care and Control Association, or equivalent certification approved by the Director.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Duties are performed essentially outdoors, and in a county vehicle.
- Indoor duties are performed in a temperature-controlled environment.
- Outdoor duties are performed on surfaces that may be even or uneven, wet, or dry, in extreme heat or cold. Stairs may be required in performing indoor or outdoor duties. Outdoor duties may be performed on natural ground, asphalt, concrete, snow, ice, or mud.
- Work hazards or potential work hazards include use of vehicle, stairs, exposure to extreme weather conditions, driving in adverse weather conditions, and exposure to dangerous animals, animal bites, and potential exposure to contagious or deadly diseases. 5. Workers will be exposed to potentially dangerous or aggressive domestic animals, wild animals, rabid and or plague-ridden animals. May assist law enforcement officers on crime scenes that can include deceased individuals.
- Worker performs duties alone or as part of a select team. Many duties are performed without the assistance of direct supervision.
- Workers communicate by cell phone or radio when performing duties away from office.
- Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate citizens.
- Ability to lift large animals (50+ pounds) up to a height of 48".
- Physical ability to pursue animals across many types of terrain and in weather extremes.
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS
- Workers may use net, rope, leash, animal capture device, snake hooks or tongs, humane traps, halters, horse trailer, camera, or other relevant equipment in the performance of essential duties.
- Workers wear a uniform, ballistic vest and badge while performing essential duties.
- Worker handles a variety of forms and paperwork, writing utensils, and other basic office supplies while making daily reports.
- Worker handles a wide variety of domestic, livestock and wild animals.
- Workers utilize personal protective equipment in the performance of duties.
- Ability to work on a computer and learn industry related software.