Are you passionate about animal welfare and public safety? Do you have the courage and compassion to make a real difference in your community? Nash County is seeking dedicated and motivated Animal Control Officers to join our Animal Control team.

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the Animal Control Program by performing protective, preventive, and investigative work in enforcing animal control laws and regulations within the jurisdictional boundaries.  The Animal Control Officer also investigates any calls received pertaining to animal cruelty and/or neglect.  

Regular work schedule is 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Employee participates in an on-call rotation schedule.  Additional hours may be required to meet the needs of the agency (i.e.: disasters, shelters, special vaccination/adoption clinics, etc.).

An employee in this role is subject to working in inside and outside environments and the risks involved in handling rabid or vicious animals.  Independent judgment must be exercised in deciding what action to take if animals cannot be readily captured.  Work is performed under general supervision and evaluated by observation, reports, and discussion for appropriate remediation results and satisfaction of the public.

• Enforces the county animal control ordinance and NC law related to animals; educates citizens about animal issues and animal control.

• Patrols a designated area of Nash County; answers requests and complaints from citizens regarding dogs and other animals; investigates reports or complaints concerning dogs, cats, or other animals creating nuisances, running loose, or abandoned and takes appropriate action.
• Investigates complaints of cruelty to various animals; Investigates incidents of animal bites; enforces ordinances governing the keeping of animals; picks up stray animals reported as sick or injured; traps, snares or otherwise captures animals; takes animals to the County Animal Shelter. 
• Locates dogs or other animals that have bitten humans; issues citations to owners for violation of animal regulations. 
• Assists in arranging for or conducting rabies clinics. 

• Keeps and maintains routine records and makes reports; appears in court on cases involving animal regulation violations.
• Monitors animals under rabies quarantine.
• Administers rabies vaccination to animals in kennels when necessary; assists in the euthanasia of animals when required.
• Assists citizens by showing animals available for adoption and helps owners reclaim their lost animals.
• Takes after-hours call on rotation with other officers in order to respond to emergency animal issues and cleans the shelter during weekends or holidays when on call.
• Provides courteous and expeditious customer service.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Safety Officer.

 Working knowledge of public health rabies control laws; working knowledge of animal capture methods; working knowledge of laws and regulations relating to animal control; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public; ability to reach, interpret, and explain rules, regulations and procedures; skill in the use of physical means to capture animals, knowledge of disease control cleaning methods, ability to use safe restraint methods for controlling animals.

1.  Required Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Graduation from High School or GED and one year of animal control experience or animal care experience (veterinary office or shelter experience) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Possession of a valid Class “C” North Carolina Driver’s License is required.  

1. NACA Animal Control Officer I & II Certifications will each serve as six months of Animal Control Officer experience.
2. Applicants who have graduated from High School or have GED will be considered for a Work Against status for one year to obtain required work experience or until completion of the NACA Animal Control Officer I & II Certifications.