The town of Dartmouth is seeking an Animal Control Officer under the direction of the Board of Health department. This position is responsible for law enforcement, investigative and public relations work in the enforcement of state and local laws and regulations of animals within the town for the protection of public health and public safety. This includes the maintenance of reports and records and impounding, feeding and disposing of animals as needed, testify in court proceeding, and other related work, as required.
Responsibilities:
- Logs and collects stray dogs, cats and other domestic animals; investigates complaints regarding nuisance dogs and other animals; investigates cruelty to animals' notifications and takes appropriate action.
- Ensures that all dogs are properly licensed, taking appropriate enforcement action in those cases where dogs have not been licensed within the time specified by statute; explains applicable statutes and by-laws, which regulated the control of dogs within the town.
- Ensures that kennel license applications are properly issued and kennels are inspected in accordance with state and local requirements.
- Investigates and reports on all known incidents of mammalian animal bites to humans to the Board of Health, obtains sufficient information to allow for proper follow-up action by Animal Control, the Board of Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources or other similar departments when a matter needs response by another state, county or local government.
- Performs rescues of animals in dangerous situations; transports injured stray animals to the veterinary hospital.
- Assists Emergency Management is shelter planning for pet accommodation to ensure health and safety of the animals, evacuees and staff.
- Performs animal inspections, farm inspections, and domestic animal permit inspections for the Board of Health; completes necessary documentation.
- Removes deceased animals from town roads and disposes of them properly. Write warnings, citations or notices as required by state law and town by law. Performs similar or related work as required or as situation dictates.
- Complies with and enforces all orders and regulations issued by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Director of Animal Health; complies with all related provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws (specifically Chapter 129, Section 15-25).
- Performs responsible public health duties requiring some judgement in the examination of animals for contagious diseases, in quarantining animals suspected of disease and may be required to check domestic animal tags and health certificates as so ordered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Director of Animal Health.
- Makes regular and thorough inspections of a variety of animals located within town limits; inspects domestic animals when there is a suspicion of contagious disease.
- After inspection, maintain associated records and take any needed follow up action. Quarantines animals in cases where there is a finding or suspicion of contagious disease; complies with all related notice and recording requirements.
- Inspects barns and other areas where animals are kept; keeps associated records and makes related reports.
- Investigates complaints about animals that appear to be neglected, abused, or kept in unclean areas; responds to reports of injured, ill or entrapped animals.
- Routinely issues non-criminal citations and appears at District Court to represent the Department. Responds to records request for public information and must be familiar with records law and regulations of the state to ensure confidential information is not disclosed to the public.
- Provides supervision to the Assistant Animal Control Officer(s).
Qualifications:
- High School education: two years of training or experience in animal handling or animal husbandry required
- Certified animal control officer by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
- Possession of a Class D Massachusetts motor vehicle operator's license.
Please visit the town's website for complete job description and posting at https://www.town.dartmouth.ma.us/Jobs.aspx
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $31.34 - $40.78 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
