SENIOR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
In New Jersey, Senior Animal Control Officer is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying takes 2 years of relevant experience and a professional license.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Senior Animal Control Officer is used at one independent authority, New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
Independent authorities
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority | 2 |
Where this title is used
Senior Animal Control Officer is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
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 supervision of a supervisory official in a local government agency or institution, takes the lead over lower-level animal control officers and/or performs the more difficult and complex technical work involved with handling, capturing and, when necessary, humanely destroying wild and stray domesticated animals and birds; cares for impounded animals; cleans and maintains the impounding facility; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Assists superiors in the planning, development, and evaluation of animal control policies and programs. Assists superiors in assigning, preparing, and scheduling work assignments. Assists superiors in ensuring animal control officers are patrolling their assigned areas and performing their work according to established procedures. With appropriate authorization, may represent superiors in animal control meetings held with federal, state, county, local government, private individuals, organizations, industry, and business representatives. Leads enforcement activities concerned with animal control programs. Contacts appropriate enforcement personnel regarding violations of federal or state animal control laws, rules, and regulations. Assists state, county, and local enforcement/legal authorities in preparing and prosecuting animal control violations. Investigates complaints concerning stray and wild animals and determines if the use of traps is warranted. Maintains current knowledge and understanding of pending legislation, and federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal control and treatment. Assists superiors and/or is responsible for the chemical bathing of animals and isolation of sources of contagion. Answers inquiries regarding ordinances and regulations pertaining to animal control. Advises animal owners and others of the law and instructs them on practices and procedures required. Promotes and assists with the adoption of animals and promotes spaying and neutering. Patrols the streets, captures, and impounds stray animals, wild game, birds, and unlicensed dogs. Cares for and feeds animals in the public pound and observes their physical condition and behavior. Contacts veterinarian when necessary. Uses nets, traps, or tranquilizer gun to capture wild animals or strayed domesticated pets. Captures and impounds animals suspected of being rabid and observes their physical condition. Destroys rabid animals in a humane way and takes their remains to State Health Clinic for analysis. Handles complaints regarding wild and stray animals, and licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals. Enforces the rabies control program and issues summons for violations of local or state animal control ordinances. Cleans and maintains sanitation of the impounding facility; washes and scrubs the facility, cleans up feces and urine, and dips and bathes animals, to rid them of fleas and ticks. Prepares comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in animal control.
License
Possession of 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 proper procedures used in capturing and caring for stray and wild animals and birds. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing the humane handling of animals. Knowledge of proper procedures used in handling and capturing stray and wild animals and birds. Knowledge of varied laws, regulations, and accepted means of humanely destroying stray animals. Knowledge of common communicable diseases of domesticated and wild animals and their control. Knowledge of the proper care and feeding of impounded animals. Knowledge of means of destroying stray and wild animals, and birds painlessly. Ability to maintain a compassionate attitude towards animals. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of other employees, provide advice, guidance, and instructions. Ability to work harmoniously with citizens and others, and to promote adoption of animals. Ability to assess status of sick or injured animals and to communicate with veterinarians in order to treat sick of injured animals. Ability to secure facts through observation and inspection and make accurate judgments. Ability to answer complaints regarding dogs, and other animal and bird nuisances and take proper remedial actions. Ability to care for animals and birds sympathetically and to destroy animals and birds, when necessary, through use of accepted and recognized humane methods. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions. 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 the 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. In jurisdictions where the Animal Control Officer serves as the designated, authorized Humane Law Enforcement Officer, appointees will be required to satisfactorily complete a Police Training Commission (PTC) approved animal protection law enforcement training course within one year of designation as a Humane Law Enforcement Officer. Such training includes successful attainment of a satisfactory level of proficiency in the use of firearms on a semi-annual basis. 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 the essential duties of the position.