Description :

General Definition of Work
Performs intermediate technical work in the enforcement of local and state laws and ordinances regulating the keeping, control and protection of animals within the County, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work is performed under the limited supervision of the County Administrator.  Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department.

Essential Functions
- Receives, investigates and answers complaints concerning animal control ordinances.
- Investigates animal related bites.
- Uses animal control equipment including leashes, catch poles, weapons, traps, etc.
- Patrols the County checking for violations of animal control ordinances.
- Delivers animals to the animal shelter.
- Prepares and maintains accurate records.
- Develops and administers department budget.
- Prepares and presents educational programs related to animal control.
- Oversees the County's Day's Reporting Program.
- Supervises, assigns work to and trains department staff.
- Establishes programs for cost containment, reduces operating costs where possible and ensures that department stays within budget.
- Ensures excellent customer service is provided to both internal and external customers of the department, answers questions and provides information as needed. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
General knowledge of the laws, ordinances, and regulations governing the control of dogs and the protection of livestock and fowl; general knowledge of the geography of the County; general knowledge of the care, control and handling of animals; ability to recognize rabies symptoms and other animal diseases and general knowledge of the methods and procedures to be followed; ability to collect facts and prepare reports; ability to deal tactfully with the public; skill in the application of specialized animal capture techniques; ability to handle, lift and/or manage heavy animals; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Education and Experience
High school diploma or GED and moderate experience involving the care of animals and dealing with the general public, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting, frequently requires climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling and occasionally requires sitting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and bites/rabies, frequently requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts and wearing a self contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Special Requirements
- Possession of or ability to obtain firearms training within six months of employment and to keep updated annually thereafter. Possession of or ability to obtain basic animal control training within two years of employment.
- Valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contact : Please complete the employment application located on our website.
Applications can also be obtained through the Human Resources Office at 605-1 Pine Street, Hillsville, VA.

Deadline for Applying : Open until filled