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?

Non-exempt; 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.

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 scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays

* Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending

* 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D benefit

* Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program

* Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program

* County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan

* Vesting after 5 years of service (effective 7/1/2024)

* Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.

Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, etc.

For more information, visit ourbenefitspage on the Frederick County Governmentjob 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. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples 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.

* Highschool 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)

* Minimum 1 year of customer service work experience

* 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 constantly walk, lift up to 50 pounds and drive; frequently sit, lift over 50 pounds, push up to 40 pounds, pull over 40 pounds and reach; occasionally climb, stoop, push over 40pounds and perform repetitive motions; and rarely crawl

* While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work outdoors and walk on uneven ground; frequently work indoors, has potential exposure to infectious diseases and is required to wear protective equipment; occasionally works in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) and cold temperatures (below 32 degrees) and in dirty and dusty environments; rarely works in a noisy environment, near chemicals or fumes, at heights and below ground level

* 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. - 11 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

* Required 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)Related (English) reading and writing testing

4) A pre-employment Security Sensitive background investigation

5) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test