Animal Protection Officer

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT 

Housing and Community Development Services consists of four divisions: Neighborhood Support, Animal Services, Housing and Community Development, and Community Engagement. The mission of the Housing and Community Development Department is to maintain community appearance and enhance the quality of life in Aurora’s neighborhoods. This is accomplished through a combination of community outreach, education, code enforcement, and numerous neighborhood improvement programs and services. The staff is dedicated to forming partnerships with neighborhoods, residents, and community groups to strengthen and enhance both the social fabric and physical aspects of Aurora neighborhoods 

Aurora Animal Protection Officers provide protection for animals throughout the city, ensuring safe enclosures, food, water, vaccinations, and homes free from abuse by enforcing the ordinances the City of Aurora has set forth and educates the public about responsible pet ownership. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. 

Education:   

• High School diploma or equivalent  

Experience:   

• Previous animal handling experience 

• Previous ordinance/law enforcement experience 

Preferred Qualifications:  

Experience: 

• Associates Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Animal Sciences, Criminology or related field 

• At least two (2) years progressively responsible experience in animal care/control, code enforcement, and/or related work 

Knowledge: 

• Animal behavior 

• Animal first aid 

• Court procedures 

• Human psychology 

• General shelter operations 

• Officer Saftey 

Skills:   

• Strong interpersonal skills  

• Strong customer service skills 

• Skill in customer relations, crisis communications management, public speaking  

• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors 

• De-escalation skills  

• Strong defensive driving skills 

• Map reading skills 

Abilities:   

• Active Learning: Willingness to be trained and ability learn new processes 

• Animal Handling: Ability to work with a wide variety of animals including domestic animals, livestock and wildlife 

• Communication: Attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively; both verbally and in writing for report writing, data entry, investigations 

• Judgment: Ability to make competent decisions and remain calm and professional during high stress/tense situations 

• Navigation: Capability to navigate through the city to respond to any address within the jurisdiction in the timeliest manner 

• Perceptiveness: Must have situational awareness and critical thinking capabilities to make reasonable judgements and work under limited supervision 

• Problem Solving: Exceptional interpersonal and mediation skills to verbally de-escalate situations 

• Safety: Ability to perceive and identify public safety hazards and dangerous surroundings 

• Teamwork: Ability to work in a team or with a wide variety of people and be collaborative 

• Values: Should abide by the City’s core 4 values in all situations with peers, citizens, and the general public 

Licenses and Certifications Required:   

• Driver's License with a good driving history. Interviewed candidates will be required to submit a copy of their driving record. 

• Euthanasia certification to be obtained within a year of employment 

• State certified officers through the Colorado Animal Welfare organization preferred or ability to obtain it within 18 months of employment 

• RCB and OC spray certifications within one year 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Essential Personnel:  

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. 

Physical Demands: 

• Heavy physical work requiring ability to lift and carry animals and/or objects weighing up to 100 pounds with or without assistance 

• Frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance 

• Regular walking and standing 

• Full range of body movements including pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, stooping/crouching, crawling, and climbing 

• Hand/eye coordination for data entry and frequent operation of motor vehicle, radios, cellular phones and computers 

What physical activity will be performed day to day? 

• Frequent lifting, carrying, walking and standing 

• Occasional running 

• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping 

• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents 

• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens 

• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard 

Work Environment: 

• Essential duties performed inside and outside in all types of weather including inclement weather, chemicals and other hazardous conditions 

• Works in a noisy environment with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, animal dander, odors, fumes, aggressive/dangerous and sick animals 

• Extensive time spent driving a City vehicle 

Equipment Used: 

• Operates a motor vehicle 

• Uses a variety of hand tools and equipment common to animal control operations such as a catch pole, syringe for vaccinations/euthanasia, wire cutters and shovel, live-capture humane traps 

• Portable and/or mobile two-way radio, telephone, digital camera, computer, crematory, and “Hotsie machine”/pressure washer vehicle 

• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment