Animal Control Officer

Definition

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The entry rate of pay for this position is $23.97 per hour.

The Missoula County Health Department is seeking an ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER to join their team. This position enforces the city and county animal control and garbage ordinances for the Missoula City-County Health Department to ensure the health and safety of domestic animals and the community.

Details: Priority screening will begin on Friday May 16, 2025. It is in your best interest to apply by this date. Applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established, or the position has been filled.
To Apply:

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is submitted.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: A letter of interest.
• Please answer the supplemental question(s).
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Representative Examples of Work

Responds to calls for assistance regarding animal control issues from the public and law enforcement agencies. Captures and removes stray, uncontrolled or abused animals. Drives animal control service vehicles to transport animals to and from the shelter, and veterinarian offices. Responds to and investigates violations of animal control and garbage ordinances and issues warnings or citations. Patrols designated areas in vehicle, on foot and on bicycle. Issues temporary licenses. Investigates reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviews witnesses, collects evidence, writes reports; makes court appearances to serve as a witness as required. Investigates animal bites; captures rabid animals. Follows protocol for rabies quarantines. Examines animals for injuries, malnutrition or disease. Administers first aid and arranges for any necessary medical treatment. Educates the public regarding complying with ordinances. Prepares and delivers public education presentations on animal control topics. Authorizes euthanasia of animals for humane or public safety reasons. Communicates with owner of animal. Transports animals for euthanasia and disposes of dead animals. Assists shelter attendants with dispatching, animal care and feeding, impounding, releasing, kennel cleaning and maintenance, euthanasia, adopting, licensing, medicating and immunizing animals. Maintains activity logs and other records. Maintains Animal Control vehicle and equipment. Participates in quality improvement projects and strategic work plans. Works within the incident command structure during emergencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
  
• Requires one year of experience that may include time working with: animal control; animal care, handling or treatment; animal research; or law enforcement.
  
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Requires a valid Montana Driver's License. New employees will be asked to volunteer vaccination status for required vaccines upon hire and will be offered assistance during hiring to receive necessary immunizations. Employees who have not received the vaccines required for their positions or who are unwilling to voluntarily provide vaccination status for required vaccines will receive a reasonable accommodation where such accommodation does not require an undue hardship or endanger the health or safety of any person. Requires pre-employment physical exam, driving history check, and a criminal background check.
  

Physical/Environmental Demands

Requires driving a county vehicle, riding a bicycle, and patrolling on foot. Requires capturing and transporting animals which may be injured, fearful, or vicious. Requires occasional heavy lifting (up to 100 lbs.), bending, crouching, and crawling in restricted space. Requires travel to private property or residences; requires exposure to hostile people. May involve exposure to animal bites, blood or body fluids; may require defending oneself against physical attack. Requires the use of protective clothing or gear. Requires working weekend and evening hours and occasional work on holidays; or serving in an on-call capacity. Requires performing work out of doors and may involve exposure to extreme weather and hazardous driving conditions.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in a scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!
Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.
Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.

This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

Missoula County will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:

Excellent Medical Health Benefits- Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees. The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees. The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees. The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage. Family health benefits coverage is $258.00 per pay period.

Medical deductible is $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.

Flexible Benefits Plan- Pre-tax out-of-pocket medical expenses and day care expenses.

Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage, Long and Short-Term Disability, Critical and Accident Insuranceare offered through Mutual ofOmaha.

Public Employees Retirement System- Montana public employees of the state, university system, local governments and certain employees of school districts are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New members to the PERS have an opportunity to choose between two retirement plan options: the Defined Benefit Plan or the Defined Contribution Plan.

Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS)- A public pension plan for all Montana Sheriffs hired after July 1, 1974 and Detention Officers hired after July 1, 2005.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Working for Missoula County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Supplemental Retirement Benefitsare offered through Valic or Nationwide.

Sick Leave- Full-time employees accrue 7.38hours per month and are eligible to use sick leave once you have been an employee for 90 days.The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Vacation Leave- Full-time employees accrue 9.24 hours per month and are eligible to use leave after continuous employment for a period of 6 full months. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays- The County observes eleven legal holidays in even numbered years and ten legal holidays in odd numbered years.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)-In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Missoula County 6 continuous weeks of PPL to eligible full-time employees that have been with the county for 180 days. The hours are pro-rated for part-time employees.

Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Missoula County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses.

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• Missoula County

• 406-258-3293

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