- This position is being reposted. Previous applicants are still being considered and do not need to reapply*
Join our team as an Animal Services Officer! Â In this position, your primary responsibility is to ensure the welfare and safety of animals and citizens within the community.
- Responds to telephone and 911 communication requests for service, checks animals for proper care and rabies vaccination
- Investigates reports of injured animals, animal cruelty, neglect, abuse, and abandonment in potentially hostile environments and a variety of weather conditions
- Provides assistance to citizens to allow them to keep their pets healthy and safe
- Participate in community events, to foster a positive image of Animal Services and its programs
- Conducts dangerous dog investigations in accordance with state statutes and county ordinances
- Issues warnings and/or civil citations for non-compliance and monitors complaints to completion
- Investigates, and documents animal cruelty scenes
- Prepares reports and maintains case files of investigations for civil or criminal prosecution. As required, provides testimony/evidence at court proceedings
- Testifies to the Animal Services Board during appeal hearings on potentially dangerous dogs
- Investigates animal attacks involving humans and/or other animals
- Humanely apprehends and transports animals, including livestock and wildlife, using industry standardized methods
- Explains ordinances and related laws to the public and advises citizens on the responsibilities of animal ownership, Coordinates investigations with outside agencies when necessary, Completes all case paperwork, Answers emergency calls during working hours and scheduled on-call
- Must adhere to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances
- Works during county declared emergencies, including manning pet friendly evacuation shelters
Graduation from high school or GED and two (2) years of experience involving handling and caring for animals; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Trainee  Appointment:  Trainee appointments will be considered for applicants possessing less than the minimum qualifications.  A lower salary would be offered based on the applicant's related training and experience. Trainee progression plans may last for a period up to one year.Â
Employees must obtain
- Fear-Free certification within 60 days of hire, Â
- Certified Euthanasia Technician, Rabies Vaccinator certification, and Red Cross First Aid certification for animals and humans within 6 months of hire,
- NACA certification for ACOI within 12 months. Â Â
Employees must complete pre-exposure rabies vaccine series after hire or show proof of prior vaccination against rabies and have an adequate titer.Â
Management Preference: experience in handling animals in a veterinary or shelter environment.
Necessary Additional Requirements
Successful completion of Customer Service, and Spelling tests will be required. Candidates selected as qualified will be contacted via email by a Human Resource representative for testing.
- Please make sure to check the email address provided on your application for correspondence in reference to your application. Some email servers may see correspondence as spam, so it is important to check your spam folder as well. All correspondence will also be viewable within your NeoGov inbox. When signed in, click on your name in the top right-hand corner and then inbox.Â
- Knowledge of the care, humane treatment, safe handling and behavior of animals
- Knowledge of and ability to explain and apply local ordinances and state statutes after training
- Ability to identify injury or illness in animals
- Ability to deal effectively with the public and animal owners in adverse situations
- Ability to work alone in the field and investigate complaints relating to potentially dangerous animals
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to multitask while maintaining efficient time management skills
- Ability to apprehend animals in the field, including aggressive or dangerous animals and wildlife as well as utilize special industry tools (e.g., catch pole, traps, tranquilizer gun.)
Conditions of Employment
Driving is an essential function of this position. To be considered, you must have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. If your driver's license is from another state, you will be required to obtain and show proof of a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire.
Successful candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment with Cumberland County must pass pre-employment screenings, including criminal history checks and drug screenings, as required by Cumberland County Policies and Procedures, prior to beginning work or receiving a final offer of employment. Refusal to submit to testing or testing positive for prohibited substances will result in the withdrawal of the conditional employment offer.
Cumberland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Cumberland County are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other status protected by applicable laws and regulations. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
