Animal Care Specialist

AM PM Staffing Services is looking for an Animal Control Specialist for our client in St. John Parish.

The Animal Control Specialist is a vital member of the community safety and animal welfare team. Responsible for enforcing local laws related to animals, ensuring public safety, and promoting humane treatment of animals. This role involves responding to calls, capturing stray or aggressive animals, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong animal handling skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage conflict situations effectively.

Duties

• Respond to animal-related calls and emergencies within the community.
• Capture and safely handle stray, injured, or aggressive animals using proper techniques.
• Enforce local ordinances related to animal control, licensing, and vaccination requirements.
• Write detailed reports documenting incidents, actions taken, and outcomes.
• Assist with community education on responsible pet ownership and safety measures.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies during criminal investigations involving animals or related issues.
• Perform minor maintenance, yard work and repair work (including temporary repairs to cages) in and around the Animal Control Center office and kennels; cleans and dusts office area and empties trash cans.
• Investigate complaints of cruelty to animals and violations of animal control ordinances; responds to complaints regarding stray, dangerous, or injured animals.
• Assist in the maintenance of kennel operations such as feeding and watering animals at the Animal Control Center, cleaning and disinfecting animal cages, disposing of refused materials, changing sawdust and other bedding materials, and washing walls and floors of animal rooms where necessary.
• Maintain inventory of kennel; assists in training new personnel; picks up animal traps as necessary.
• Greet and assist customers in person and over the phone and provides routine information about shelter operations.
• Operate and maintain an animal control vehicle. Utilize a variety of animal control devices and equipment including leash, muzzle, traps, radio, and tranquilizing equipment.
• Process animal remains (i.e. burying or operating an animal incinerator); transports animal to nearby veterinarian for humane destruction; performs loading, unloading and euthanizing of dogs and cats.

Skills

• Strong animal handling and care skills with knowledge of humane capture techniques.
• Be familiar with the geographic layout of the Parish.
• Experience in surveillance, report writing, and law enforcement procedures.
• Leadership qualities with the ability to manage conflicts calmly and professionally.
• Background in criminal investigation or law enforcement is a plus.
• Valid driving license with a clean driving record for safe transportation of animals and equipment.
• Excellent communication skills for community outreach and inter-agency collaboration.
• Knowledge of laws and ordinances related to animal control, including humane animal collection, care, and disposal methods.
• Physical ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and lift moderate loads when necessary.
• Knowledge of rabies control program and policies

Ability to:

• Operate a two-way radio
• Learn, interpret, and apply codes, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures of animal collection, impoundment, quarantine, and disposal
• Capture, handle, feed, and transport domestic and non-domestic animals
• Respond to calls and complaints regarding animals in the community
• Maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports
• Provide total upkeep of the animal shelter
• Capture, handle, feed, and transport domestic animals (the definition for domestic animals includes companion animals as well as livestock.)
• Use equipment in capturing and humanely euthanizing animals
• Understand the occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary in the performance of the duties
• Exercise tact and courtesy in explaining and enforcing State laws and local ordinances pertaining to animal control to the public
• Maintain confidentiality when responding to and investigating complaints
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment in applying laws and ordinances to work situations.
• Must be able to run, maneuver quickly, and apply physical strength in the apprehension, control and containment of animals.
• Be on call for evenings and weekends
• Respond to emergency assistance calls and arrive at identified scenes within 45 minutes of call
• Be comfortable with and participate in the euthanization of animals

Pay rate: $16/hour

Monday – Friday is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday are currently feed/clean shifts that can be 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. depending on the amount of animals that need to be cared for.

This position offers an opportunity to serve the community by ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and animals through dedicated enforcement and compassionate care.