POSITION: Animal Control Officer

Police Department

RANGE & RATE: Schedule WA00 Range 07

Starting Salary: $32.247/hour - $67,074/year

40-hour work week

SUMMARY:

This is animal control work involving administration and enforcement of statutes and ordinances

pertaining to dogs and handling general animal complaints.

Work involves responsibility for the overall enforcement of dog statutes and ordinances and for

the capture and impounding of stray dogs. Duties include response to complaints of sick, injured

or vicious dogs, or other animal nuisances, removal of dogs or other animals and operation and

maintenance of the animal pound. This position is also responsible for making difficult public

safety decisions regarding the handling of animal complaints. Work requires considerable

knowledge, skill and ability in animal care, and in dealing effectively with the general public.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Police Department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Makes information available to citizens concerning dog laws. Assists in training Police Officers

and others in handling dogs and other animals.

Responds to complaints concerning stray, lost, stolen, injured, mistreated or vicious dogs. Takes

appropriate action including impoundment, investigation, or public relations/education.

Oversees the Annual Deer Cull Operation.

Drives a vehicle and patrols areas of the Township. Maintains vehicle, equipment and assigned

weapon.

Enforces state and local animal control laws, including laws relating to wild animals, birds, and

fish. Issues summons for infractions of laws.

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Oversees maintenance of an animal pound. Sees that the animal pound is cleaned and

disinfected and that animals are fed and watered. Purchases supplies and food for the animal

pound.

Returns impounded dogs to owners. Places unclaimed dogs with the County S.P.C.A.

Maintains log of impounded dogs for reporting purposes.

Quarantines animals. Prepares quarantine notices for owners of diseased or suspect animals.

Assists in enforcing local health and housing ordinances relating to domestic animals.

Removes deceased animals from the Township and disposes of them in a safe manner or for

testing when required.

Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or an equivalency certificate, plus three years of progressively

responsible work experience, including one year in caring for and controlling dogs and other

animals, and some clerical experience.

Must have a valid Class C driver's license.

Considerable knowledge of dog and domestic animal care and handling.

Good working knowledge of state and local dog control laws and related ordinances.

Good knowledge of state and federal laws relating to domestic and wild animals.

Good knowledge of Township geography.

Considerable ability in handling vicious, diseased, or uncooperative dogs and other animals.

Good skill in the safe care and use of an assigned weapon.

Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-

workers, the veterinary community, and the general public.

Good knowledge of record keeping.

Good ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook software programs.

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to sit, stand and/or walk for up to 2 hours, and drive for up to 4 hours a workday.

Ability to bend, stoop, squat, climb, crouch, kneel, reach above shoulder height, lift, and

push/pull for up to 10% of the workday.

Ability to lift and carry up to and above 100 pounds for manipulation of animals.

Ability to use both the right and left hand for firm grasping and repetitive actions.

Ability to perform job function in all types of weather and temperatures.

Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions on unprotected heights and where

moving machinery may be present.

Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions where environmental conditions may

be challenging.

Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions to maneuver in wooded and rough

terrain and to climb over obstacles.

SELECTION: Based on education, work experience, merit, training, employee

record, test scores and interview.

HOW TO APPLY: External Applicants: Employment applications can be

downloaded from www.lowermerion.org – employment

opportunities.

Send application to: Human Resources Department

75 E. Lancaster Avenue, 2nd Floor

Ardmore, PA 19003

Or email: humanresources@lowermerion.org

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER