Full-time position with benefits package. Starting hourly rate is $22.87 per hour.
Responsible for enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to Animal Control in Montgomery Township and partner communities, as specified by state laws and township ordinances. Under direction of the Health Officer, is responsible for the handling, capturing, and when necessary, the humane destroying of wild and strayed domesticated animals and birds; for the compassionate care and well-being of all impounded animals. Does related work as required.
Job Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment
- Enforces the rabies control program and issues summons for violations of local or state Animal Control ordinances. Brings specimens for testing to NJ State Public Health Environmental Laboratory for analysis.
- Coordinates and attends all rabies vaccination programs for Montgomery Township and Shared Service communities.
- Conduct licensing of dogs and cats and subsequent pet census for Montgomery Township.
- Ensure accurate billing from vendors
- Patrols the streets, capturing and impounding stray animals, nuisance wildlife, and unlicensed dogs.
- Captures, impounds, and transports stray domestic animals and animals suspected of being rabid.
- Uses nets, traps and other equipment, in the capturing of animals stray and wild.
- Contacts the veterinarian when needed if animals appear sick and or injured.
- Timely response to complaints that relate to wild, straying animals, licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals and alleged violations of state anti-cruelty laws. Responses may be at night or on weekends.
- Investigation of animal bite and vicious dog incidents. Issues warnings, summonses, and quarantines, and release quarantines as required. Testifies as an expert in legal proceedings.
- Maintains clear, sound, and accurate records in order to document all calls and activities properly.
- Transports animals to agency, shelter, or veterinarian, as appropriate, while attempts are made to locate owners and/or when the animal needs to be impounded or investigated for diseases such as rabies.
- Assists residents with wildlife concerns, questions and gives advice on how to abate situations if animal is sick or injured, including referrals to Wildlife Center.
- Locates, removes and/or marks carcasses on roadways and provides notification to animal removal contractor.
- Mutual Aid Animal Control coverage for other Municipalities when needed.
- Work cooperatively with Township Veterinarian and Contracted Shelter employees.
- Participate in community emergency response as needed.
- Performs tasks as assigned by Health Officer, including but not limited to community outreach events, and vaccine clinics.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing the humane handling of animals.
- Knowledge of the proper procedures used in handling and capturing stray and wild animals and birds.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, web-based licensing and permitting software and other similar platforms
- Must enjoy working with animals
- Previous Animal Handling Experience
Desired Skills and Knowledge:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to remain patient in stressful situations
- Ability to read, comprehend, and explain animal control related state, local regulations and ordinances
- Ability to handle animals in various forms of distress in a safe and humane manner
- Ability to learn and recognize the signs of rabies and other common animal illnesses
- Ability to learn and recognize physical and behavioral characteristics of animals.
Required Education/Certification/License
- High School Diploma or GED
- Possession of a current, valid certificate as an Animal Control Officer issued by the NJ Department of Health.
Certification / License Desired:
- National Animal Control Association (NACA) certificate
- Animal Care, Park Ranger or Law Enforcement background
Physical Requirements:
- General office setting in Health Department and Township facilities, extensive fieldwork and in Township vehicle.
- Ability to stoop, squat, crawl, climb, and perform other physical duties as needed to investigate locations and animals
- Ability to regularly work in outside weather related conditions in heat, cold, wet or humid conditions.
- Ability to lift at least 50lbs in relation to picking up stray animals and wildlife.
- Ability to use all associated equipment, cages, nets, poles etc. in a humane way to perform job duties.
Additional Requirements:
- Effective 9/1/11, all employees of State and local government must reside in the State of NJ, unless exempted.
- Must have a valid NJ Driver’s License.
If you would like to be considered, please submit your letter of interest and resume to Letizia Troisi, Personnel Coordinator, at ltroisi [at] montgomery.nj.gov or in person to the Township Administration office, 100 Community Drive Skillman, NJ, 08558. EOE.