This position is responsible for answering all incoming Animal Control related complaints, compiling necessary information for officers responding to such complaints, entering data into dispatching software and dispatching calls in priority levels to Animal Control officers in the field.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Must not be impaired from testifying credibly in a court of law or impaired from swearing to an affidavit

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.

Skill in:

• Will have a high level of understanding of radio communication and professionalism when using radio equipment.

• Strong work ethic and self-motivation with willingness to go “above and beyond” duties

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a high focus on teamwork

• Excellent communication skills to be able to explain complex policies, rules and regulations in a diplomatic and understandable manner

• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and professional when interacting with the public under highly stressful situations

Ability to:

• Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.

• Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within State and Federal statutes.

• Work the allocated hours of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a typical indoor and outdoor setting; and is a combination of mobile and sedentary work. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Will spend a large amount of time viewing a computer screen.

• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.

• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.

• Work is primarily in an office setting.

• Use and normal maintenance of office machines, (copier, computer, printer, etc.).

• Frequent use of phone handset and repetitive use of hand & fingers to operate office equipment, use computer keyboard & computer mouse and to perform other office tasks.

• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.

• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (Section 1981) and 1964 (Title VI, VII,) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

Department: Animal Control

Pay Grade: 65, Non-Exempt

Starting hourly rate: $20.54

Minimum Experience:

• Prior communications experience as a telecommunications dispatcher or call taker is preferred.

Minimum Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

Certifications, Licenses:

• Must have dependable transportation.

• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

This position is responsible for answering all incoming Animal Control related complaints, compiling necessary information for officers responding to such complaints, entering data into dispatching software and dispatching calls in priority levels to Animal Control officers in the field.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Receives, prioritizes, transfers, and dispatches animal control personnel to calls regarding complaints, bites, and general information requests. Maintains logs and files of all complaints. Performs data entry and query of information on computers.

• Responds to public inquiries and explains departmental policies, procedures, laws, and ordinances related to animal control. Refers calls to other agencies such as Humane Society’s, Sheriff, Police, and other governmental agencies, department or staff.

• Responds to animal related complaints and collects necessary information on validity of complaint, location, nature of incident, and status of complaint and assigns the complaint to an animal control officer working in the service area of the complaint.

• Communicate with Officers via two-way radio. Relays complaint information to officers, providing the necessary information including nature and location of complaint, and any history of complaint, and logs the movement of all officers and maintains continual awareness of their location. Tracks the location of each officer on the road.

• Relays messages from animal control officers to police and other agencies including notifying police agencies of accidents, contacting veterinarians to treat injured animals picked up by animal control officers, or contacting other animal control officers or police officers for assistance.

• Documents complaints on complaint cards and enters complaints into computer, includes entering nature of complaint, time complaint was taken, name of dispatcher receiving call, time of dispatch, arrival and departure times of officers, names of officers dispatched, names, addresses, and telephone numbers of complainant and owner and final disposition.

• Performs data entry to the computer and query of dog bites, licensing, and microchip information. Use the computer to create new forms and documents for office, officer, and dispatcher use.

• Gathers information at officers’ request using maps, books, computer programs, or through police agencies.

• Maintains log and completes follow-ups on incomplete bite reports and quarantine checks

• Completes log of calls that turn over to the next day’s shift

• Generates monthly computer reports on dispatch statistics

• Assist with feeding, cleaning, and vaccination of onsite animals

• Have a thorough understanding of county animal control ordinances and state animal laws

• Assists patrons with adoption paperwork and payment for selected animals, while trying to obtain optimal animal placement

• Performs general administrative/office functions, as needed, including, but not limited to taking and distributing messages, stamping, sorting, and distributing mail, etc.

• Will be responsible for the cleanliness and organization of the office and dispatch area.

• Investigate and gather information on animal related complaints (animal bites, animal attacks, dangerous dog, reports of animal cruelty, strays, injured, neglected, sick/diseased, and possible rabies exposure cases) and resolves related problems in a tactful manner;

• Compiles a variety of data regarding animal control; prepares daily, weekly, and monthly reports of activities, and maintains paper and computer files and records relative to actions taken.

• Maintains effective relationships with community by educating the general public on responsible pet ownership, animal control functions, and animal safety, animal laws; and animal care programs.

• Carries out duties in conformance with all federal, state, county, and city laws and ordinances.

• Will perform other duties as assigned.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no fiscal responsibilities.

COUNTY ORGANIZATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represents the Department to other County departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.

• Provides quality customer service to individuals needing directions or assistance.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Field Supervisor