Supervisor III - Animal Control Officer

St. Mary's County Government

Job Description

This skilled, supervisory position oversees the daily operations of the Animal Control division, including, but not limited to training, assisting, and assigning staff on animal-related cases such as sick, stray, and/or injured domestic animals. This role also supervises and participates in investigations into suspected animal cruelty and/or neglect, engages in policy creation, and enforces state and local legislation pertaining to animals, as well as other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

Supervises the daily operations of the Animal Control Division;
Plans, implements, and evaluates task-specific activities;
Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; and participates in hiring processes;
Enforces and explains departmental policies and procedures to assigned staff and members of the public;
Schedules Animal Control Officers for call response and on-call response and duties to ensure proper coverage and sufficient staffing;
Monitors employees’ time, leave requests, and overtime; perform employee evaluations;
Investigates concerns, and makes and recommend any disciplinary procedures in compliance with County personnel policies and procedures;
Prepares and submits relevant financial and/or statistical reports;
Plans for and provides input on annual operating and capital budgets; prepares budget requests for the division;
Ensure all Animal Control Officers are adequately trained per Comar Regulation(s);
Reviews safety rules and regulations with staff in compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulatory agencies;
Coordinates with the Animal Adoption & Resource Center Staff regarding facility operations and any calls for service that could potentially impact shelter staff.
Works with and receives guidance from the County Attorney’s Office regarding cases, laws, and interpretation of the law(s);
Provides information for Freedom of Information Act as requested from the County Attorney’s Office;
Provides Quality Assurance on documents submitted by Animal Control Officers;
Represents the Animal Service’s Division at meetings with other jurisdictions and maintains liaison with appropriate operating officials.
Maintains all records and evidence in accordance with Maryland Law and St. Mary’s County policy
Will oversee all equipment and vehicles issued to the Animal Control Division. Will coordinate and schedule all maintenance and repairs.
Collaborate with DNR, rescue organizations, veterinarians and other external partners.
May testify in court regarding citations, dispositions of complaints, and charges of animal cruelty.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to gain thorough knowledge of St. Mary’s County Government policies and procedures;
Ability to act as a representative of St. Mary’s County Government to the Federal, State, and Local agencies, local partners and the public;
Expert knowledge of department practices and procedures;
Knowledge of relevant Federal, State, and Local regulations relative to the operations of the department;
Extensive knowledge of and ability to effectively identify animal species and breeds
Extensive knowledge of two-way radio communications regulations, standards and operating procedures
Possess thorough knowledge of firearms and firearm safety.
Ability to effectively communicate with other staff members;
Ability to supervise, schedule, train, and motivate subordinate staff;
Ability to use available resources to research information;
Ability to keep accurate records;
Ability to de-escalate emotional situations.
Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or G.E.D.;
Four years or more of related experience or additional education in a specialized area;
Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience.

Additional Requirements:

Must have Pre-exposure rabies vaccination series within 90 days of employment;
Must successfully complete the following FEMA Independent Study courses within the first year of employment:
ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System;
ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents;
IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction;
IS-10.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness;
IS-11.a Animals in Disasters: Community Planning;
IS-111.a Livestock in Disasters;
IS-240.b Leadership and Influence;
IS-241.b Decision Making and Problem Solving;
IS-242.b Effective Communication;
Successfully pass a physical, hearing and vision exam.
Successfully pass a psychological fitness examination with favorable results.
Successfully pass extensive background investigation with favorable results.
Possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License;
Certification in Humane Euthanasia at County Expense within 6 months of hire;
Certification as a licensed Animal Control Officer at County Expense within 1 year of hire;
Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations within three months of start date at County expense;
May be required to work beyond normal scheduled hours to include on-call, evenings weekends and holidays
May be required to assist with managing the shelter when needed

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work environment in the office involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls.

Work in the field can involve high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g., aggressive human behavior, extreme outdoor weather conditions, aggressive animal behavior, and/or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled.

Work many demand sustained strenuous effort, requiring manual work involving walking over rough, uneven terrain, repeated bending, climbing, crouching, stooping, stretching, and/or reaching. Work may require the lifting or handling of heavy animals, tools, or materials of 60 lbs or more.

Must have the physical ability to push/pull, squat, twist and turn. May require standing or walking up to 50% of the time.

This is a full time job