ASSISTANT ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Code: 00312@ Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the close supervision of a supervisory official in a local government agency or institution, is responsible for assisting the animal control officer in handling, capturing and, when necessary, the humane destroying of wild and strayed domesticated animals and birds; cares for impounded animals; cleans and maintains the impounding facility; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Provides assistance patrolling the streets, capturing, and impounding stray animals, wild game, birds, and unlicensed dogs. Assists in the caring and feeding of animals in the public pound and observes their physical condition and behavior. Contacts veterinarian when necessary. Assists in the capturing of wild animals or strayed domesticated pets using nets, traps, or tranquilizer guns. Assists in the capture and impound of animals suspected of being rabid and observes physical condition. Assists in destroying rabid animals in a humane way and taking their remains to the State Health Clinic for analysis. Provides assistance in handling complaints regarding wild and stray animals, and licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals. Assists in the enforcement of the rabies control program and issues summonses for violations of local or state animal control ordinances. Provides assistance cleaning and maintaining the sanitation of the impounding facility; washes and scrubs the facility, cleans up feces and urine, and dips and baths animals to rid them of fleas and ticks. Promotes the adoption of animals and arranges for their spaying and neutering. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Applicants must possess a current and valid certificate as an Animal Control Officer issued by the New Jersey Department of Health.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the methods used to handle and capture stray animals, wild game, and birds. Knowledge of the types of equipment used in animal control. Knowledge of common communicable diseases of domesticated and wild animals and methods of control. Knowledge of the methods used to care for and feed impounded animals. Knowledge of the humane methods used to destroy stray animals, wild game, and birds. Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to capture and impound animals. Ability to feed and care for animals. Ability to promote the adoption of animals. Ability to recognize sick and injured animals and to arrange for medical care. Ability to handle complaints regarding animals and take proper remedial actions. Ability to humanely destroy animals and birds when necessary. Ability to enforce the jurisdiction's rabies control program. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Appointees may be required to complete a course and obtain certification in the Chemical Immobilization of Animals. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.