Deputy Sheriff

Position Summary:

Animal Control Officers enforce State laws and local animal control ordinances, interacting with both animals and residents. The Animal Control Officers have a strong emphasis on customer service and education.

Essential Functions:

• Enforces State laws and local animal control ordinances regulating the keeping, control and protection of animals within the County of Louisa.
• Patrols assigned area(s) in an animal control vehicle to monitor violations, animals in distress and citizens’ complaints.
• Investigates and completes documentation related to animal bites, possible rabies exposures, possible animal cruelties, barking dog complaints, and potentially dangerous and vicious dog complaints.
• Educates animal owners and other public members on humane care, rabies prevention; and presents animal control information to promote responsible pet ownership at schools, public festivals and in other community settings.
• Picks up or traps stray or unwanted animals that may be uncooperative, vicious or injured and transports them to the Animal Shelter.
• Assists law enforcement when requested and during an eviction when animals are involved; requests assistance when search and seizures are required.
• Participates in animal rescue efforts during disaster situations. Assists in recovery efforts during animal disaster situations or emergency situations.
• Impounds dogs and cats that are at large without owners; impounds stray and surrendered animals; impounds, relocates, euthanizes, humanely destroys and relieves distressed wildlife.
• Responds, investigates, and processes suspected rabid animals that may have exposed humans/pets; prepares/processes the suspected animal for shipment to the State Laboratory for testing; coordinates/submits reports to the Health Department; provides follow up action.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of computerized reports as well as written logs and forms.
• Processes and documents Civil Court cases; processes, documents, and seizes animals/equipment for Criminal Court cases; testifies in court proceedings.
• Subject to 24 hour call for emergencies
• Initiates & Coordinates Public Education sessions dealing with animal issues
• Maintains file of animals impounded and disposition of each
• Examines dog license for validity and issues warnings or summonses to delinquent owners
• Snares animal with net, rope, or other devices; cages or secures animal in truck
• Removes animal from truck to shelter cage or other enclosure
• Communicates with public both orally and in writing
• Performs additional duties as directed

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, within eighteen (12) months of hire,
• Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Animal Control Officer – certification
• Basic Law Enforcement certification
• VDACS (Va Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services) Euthanasia Certification
• CPR – certification