Animal Control Officer

JOB INFORMATION The Frederick County Division of Animal Control is committed to serving the community through education and resources, humane law enforcement, and animal sheltering. We are proud of an impressive legacy of progressive thinking and community outreach that has reduced animal intake, reduced unwanted litters, and ultimately reduced animal euthanasia. Members of the Animal Control team, have a unique opportunity to not only make a difference for the homeless animals of Frederick County, but to engage in a rewarding career that demands hard work, integrity, high standards, and constant learning. Working with animals and serving the public-what better job could there be? POSITION DETAILS: Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible; additional compensation to include uniforms, equipment, on-call compensation, and job-related trainings); full-time; 40 hours per week (varied schedule, Sunday thru Saturday); full benefits This skilled position is responsible for the safe apprehension of uncontrolled or dangerous animals and transporting them to the Animal Control Center, while enforcing relevant sections of State, County and City laws. The Animal Control Officer also serves as an investigator in animal cruelty cases and assists with case preparation for Court. Supervision is received from the Animal Control Officer Supervisor and/or the Director of Animal Control. NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate. Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today. TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee. 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays) Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan Vesting after 5 years of service Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc. Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Respond to calls received at the Animal Control Center concerning animal bites, livestock kills, stray and injured animals, etc. Educate the public in the proper care of animals Enforce animal and fowl regulations and other relevant sections of the Frederick County Code, Frederick City Code and Maryland State Code, including transportation of domestic and wild animals to the Center when necessary Compile, prepare and submit related forms and reports, including controlled substance logs and records Participate in investigative efforts regarding animal cruelty cases Assist with the collection of evidence and the preparation of Statements of Probable Cause, Statements of Charges and other related documents Assist other law enforcement agencies and their efforts Perform euthanasia procedures as required Perform dispatch and communication duties, and maintain related logs and records as needed Maintain all assigned equipment Perform other related duties as required To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties do not cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. High school graduation or the equivalent Minimum 2 years of work experience caring and handling animals in a setting such as a veterinary clinic, boarding kennel, animal shelter or similar setting (care of personal pets is not accepted) Possession of a valid automobile operator's license Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course certification (MFRI or a comparable certification body), or able to complete the EVOC within 1 year of hire KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES: Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges Ability and willingness to successfully complete on-going related training that includes (but is not limited to): Animal Control Officers Academy (within 1 year of hire); 3 levels of Cruelty Investigative School through Law Enforcement Institute, U of MO (within 3 years of hire); euthanasia training with written examination (within 6 months of hire); Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) and monadnock (expandable baton) training through local law enforcement (within 1 year of hire) Ability and willingness to obtain rabies pre-exposure vaccinations (at County expense) immediately following hire Ability and willingness to travel out of the area (at County expense) as needed for education and certification purposes Knowledge of the tools, techniques and tranquilization equipment used in the humane handling/restraining of animals, and ability to use them without endangering personal safety Ability and willingness to perform euthanasia procedures (the humane destruction of animals) Ability and willingness to perform surgical procedures on euthanized animals to obtain specimens for rabies testing Ability to learn State, County and City animal and fowl regulations and other relevant sections of those Codes Familiarity with and the ability to effectively identify animal species and breeds Knowledge of roads and communities in the Frederick County area or the ability to learn Ability to learn and comply with two-way radio communications regulations and standards Effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to accurately complete related forms and reports Accurate math skills in order to calculate proper dosage per animal weight Ability to develop and maintain effective, professional working relationships with co-workers, law enforcement and government agencies and the general public PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR: Criminal justice or animal related coursework Animal control work experience Security / law enforcement / animal welfare enforcement work experience PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS: While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, lift up to 20 pounds and drive; occasionally lift between 20-50 pounds. While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently work indoors and outdoors; occasionally walk on uneven ground. Sound physical condition in order to respond to the spontaneous physical demands of comprehensive animal control duties (e.g. restraint and control, capture, foot pursuit, search, animal transport, etc.) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS Available for shift work as assigned within Animal Control Center operating hours (Monday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.) and available on-call for emergency situations This position is designated as security-sensitive, requiring a satisfactory background investigation conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office in accordance with established Frederick County policy. Estimated completion time for this background investigation is at least 30 days. This position is subject to random drug testing Listed certifications and licenses must be maintained current while employed in this position EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include): 1. An evaluation of training and experience 2. One or more interviews 3. A pre-employment physical examination 4. A pre-employment drug test without marijuana 5. A pre-employment Security Sensitive background investigation Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to Recruitment@FrederickCountyMD.gov Retirement Plan: A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability. Health Insurance: County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment. Dental Insurance: Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance. Flexible Spending Accounts: The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $3,400 per year for Health Care Spending and $7,500 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses. Life Insurance: Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Supplemental Life Insurance is also offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents. Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation: The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time. Contribution maximums are set each year by the IRS. Educational Reimbursement Program: County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may apply for education reimbursement for courses that can improve or develop an employee's capabilities related to their current job or for a promotional opportunity within Frederick County Government. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG. Employee Assistance Program: This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related issue or concern. Leave Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year 0 – 2 years 11 days 2 – 10 years 17 days 10 + years 24 days Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year. Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement. NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours. Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, and Military. Holidays: The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections. For additional information on Frederick County Government's benefits package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov. All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.