Animal Shelter
Join the Jefferson City Police Department
Become an
Animal Control Officer
Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both challenging and rewarding, and it requires handling all kinds of animals, from pets to wildlife.
The starting salary for an Animal Control Officer is, $36,117.90.
Animal Control Officer Duties & Responsibilities
To capture and transport to the City Animal Shelter animals in violation of City animal control ordinances or are otherwise dangerous. Enforce ordinances through the issuing of citations and summons; and assist with the daily operation and maintenance of the animal shelter.
Job Functions:
Capture unlicensed, stray, uncontrolled, sick or injured dogs, cats or other animals; capture any domesticated or wild animals that have bitten humans; set up and retrieve humane wildlife traps; pick up dead animals; transport captured and dead animals to Animal Shelter; and prepare background, descriptive and other records on each animal entering the shelter.
Enforce City animal control ordinances, including writing misdemeanor summonses to pet owners who violating of City ordinances; investigate complaints of cruelty to animals and other Code violations, and coordinate with law enforcement agencies, to ensure all animal control ordinances are enforced uniformly and efficiently on a daily basis. Provide expert testimony in court cases
Assist with shelter and office duties, including providing information to the public and taking complaints both in person and on the telephone, cleaning the shelter, assisting with veterinary exams, euthanasia and caring for shelter animals.
While on duty, animal control officers interact frequently with members of the public. They issue citations and warnings to people for mistreatment of animals in their care and may remove animals from a negligent owner’s custody. Officers may also provide educational seminars to the community on topics such as animal welfare and animal-related laws.
Abilities:
Physical: Ability to restrain animals weighing 100 pounds or more. Ability to bend, stoop and lift alive or deceased animals of varying weights. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
Mental: Ability to think clearly in emergency situations. Ability to work with seriously ill or abused animals and to perform euthanasia when required.
Education/Experience Qualifications:
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. One year experience in animal handling desired.
Requirements:
A valid Missouri Driver's License.
Become an
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary assistants care for animals under the supervision of the shelter Veterinarian. They're responsible for feeding, bathing, and exercising the animals, and restraining them during examinations and treatment.
Veterinary assistants, also perform lab work, such as drawing blood and collecting samples.
The starting salary for an Veterinary Assistants is, $34,398.00.
Veterinary Assistant Duties & Responsibilities
Supports the daily functions of the Animal Shelter, including assisting veterinary personnel with all aspects of animal care and adoption procedures. Maintains health records and a sanitary environment, administers medications and evaluates animal behavior. Provides public education and awareness events.
Job Functions:
Greets public and assists with animal adoptions and related paperwork; answers telephones and assists with Animal Control Officer call for service processing; provides the public with information about the shelter and adoption policies; and follows departmental policies and procedures. Provides clerical support, including inventory of food and cleaning supplies and assistance with animal records. Performs animal intake and redemption procedures and helps with adoption website maintenance. Aids in training and monitoring work quality of volunteers and community service workers when needed.
Assists veterinary personnel during examinations, euthanasia, treatment and surgical procedures; assists in collecting blood and stool samples, performs laboratory tests on samples including fecal analysis, ear mite checks, heartworm and FeLV/FIV testing; notes symptoms of illnesses in animals; and assists with temperature taking and administering medications. Evaluates temperament of animals and reports findings to veterinarian. Maintains surgical equipment and veterinary supplies. Maintains proper inventory of supplies.
Provides daily maintenance care for animals, including feeding, watering, and administering medications; exercises dogs, bathes, dips and grooms as time permits. Assists with cleaning runs and animal cages; does laundry; keeps towels, food/water bowls, litter pans and other cage equipment clean; and performs minor maintenance and cleaning of equipment.
Participates in educational events at local schools/libraries and gives tours to groups to raise public awareness and education.
Abilities:
Physical: Ability to restrain, exercise, lift and carry animals weighing up to 50 pounds. Ability to stand and work for extended periods. Practices proper animal restraint to prevent staff injuries. Ability to bend, stoop and lift while cleaning, moving and caring for animals.
Mental: Ability to deal comfortably with the public during emotional situations. Ability to interact with and direct community service workers under stressful conditions. Ability to work with seriously ill, injured, or aggressive animals. Assist with euthanasia when necessary.
Education/Experience Qualifications:
Requires a high school diploma. One year of custodial or animal care experience desired. Previous veterinary assistant experience preferred.