ANIMAL WELFARE OFFICER
Salary: $11.35 to $17.60/Hourly
Interested outside applicants apply at the Personnel Department, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Full time employees will receive preference in the following order: first division, then department, and then all other full-time City employees. Once it has been determined that there are no qualified full-time city employees left on the eligibility list, qualified outside applicants will be considered for hire. Applications will be accepted from January 3, 2006 through January 9, 2006.

JOB SUMMARY
This job is located in the Animal Welfare Division of the Neighborhood Services Department with The City of Oklahoma City and is under the supervision of an Animal Welfare Supervisor. The Animal Welfare Officer is primarily responsible for enforcing ordinances and laws pertaining to animals, patrolling an assigned geographical area when responding to public inquiries and complaints, exchanging information with the public, and providing assistance in support of the overall operations of the work unit. Essential job functions include: following all applicable safety rules and regulations; enforcing ordinances and laws pertaining to animals and issuing citations when necessary; responding to calls reporting injured and stray animals, barking dogs, leash and sanitation violations; investigating reports of animal abuse and cruelty, and taking appropriate action; humanely impounding and caring for stray, dangerous, nuisance, sick/injured and other animals; using controlled substances to tranquilize or medicate animals; quarantining animals involved in biting incidents; and examining animals physical condition and notifying proper individuals if medical attention is required. Other duties and responsibilities included, but are not limited to: completing standard reports and forms (e.g., animal bite report, daily reports, citations, etc.); caring for and feeding animals; cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining facilities and equipment; assisting in the euthanasia of animals; and appearing in court to provide testimony on citations and complaints. The Animal Welfare Officer has frequent contact with City staff, the general public and outside agencies to exchange information. The employee must use tact and diplomacy when answering inquiries or responding to complaints from citizens via telephone, written correspondence and face-to-face. The work is frequently performed independently with unusual problems or situations referred to an immediate supervisor. The work performance is evaluated through visual inspection of records and complaints registered by citizens and/or City personnel.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
• Knowledge of various breeds of dogs, cats and other domestic animals.
• Knowledge of basic methods of animal collection and impoundment.
• Knowledge of small animal/livestock behaviors and their care.
• Skill in communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Skill in handling animals.
• Ability to conduct investigations related to animal welfare and/or code and ordinance violations.
• Ability to deal with the public.
• Ability and willingness to perform the prescribed animal welfare and control activities.
• Ability to work with animals of various sizes and temperaments.
• Willingness to work with sick and/or vicious animals.
• Willingness to euthanize animals.
• Possession of a valid Class "D" driver license.

WORKING CONDITIONS
• Outside, frequently exposed to heat, cold, humidity, rain, etc.
• Possibility of animal bites, deep cuts, sprains and fractures.
• Subject to working near moving objects such as traffic and machinery.
• Exposed to steady and loud noises.
• Exposed to large amounts of dust.
• Exposed to allergy-causing agents such as dust; bee or wasp stings; poison oak, ivy and sumac; etc.
• Exposed to chemical irritants such as bleach and flea dip.
• Exposed to large concentrations of noxious odors such as urine, feces and dead and decaying animals.
• Possibility of infections or illnesses caused by disease carrying animals.
• Required to use and maintain immobilization (tranquilizer) equipment.
• Frequently required to work overtime and irregular hours.
• Local travel on a daily basis.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Strength enough to lift, push, and pull objects such as animals weighing up to 75 lbs.
• Stamina to exert oneself physically throughout the workday.
• Flexibility enough to bend, twist, and reach to perform duties such as loading and unloading animals on and off a truck and in and out of carriers, cages and kennels.
• Mobility enough to continually move oneself from place to place.
• Gross body coordination and balance enough to remain upright while capturing large animals such as cattle, horses, etc.
• Manual dexterity enough to perform duties such as placing identification collars on animals, typing and completing forms.
• Near vision enough to read items such as tags or animal identification numbers, etc.
• Far vision enough to be able to perform duties such as identifying species of animal from a distance (e.g. skunk vs. cat).
• Visual color discrimination enough to perform duties such as distinguishing the color of animals for identification purposes.
• Hearing enough to distinguish sounds in a noisy environment such as produced by dogs barking and other animal sounds, etc.
• Speech and hearing enough to communicate clearly and distinctly in person and by two-way radio.

FRINGE BENEFITS:

  • Differential Pay 2nd shift .32¢/hourly: 3rd shift .50¢/hourly.
    (If Applicable.)
  • Vacation: 96 hours per year.
  • Sick Leave: 130 hours per year.
  • Holidays: 10 regular holidays per year.
  • Injury Insurance: Effective day of employment.
  • Retirement: Jointly paid by The City and employee.
  • Credit Union: Full banking services.
  • Life Insurance: City provides $5,000 term coverage; optional, supplemental and dependent coverage available at low rates.
  • Health Insurance or Health Maintenance Organization: Several plans are available for employee and dependent coverage.
  • Dental Insurance: Dental plan options are available for employee and dependent(s) coverage at reasonable rates.