Job: Animal Control/Community Services Officer

Job Description

Job Type: Full time, Hourly

Wage: $20.21/hr.

Location: Trinidad, CO.

Job Description:

This position is a non-sworn, uniformed position.  The Community Services Officer enforces the City of Trinidad Code of Ordinances, conducts inspections, and investigates complaints related to Code Enforcement, Parking enforcement, and Animal Control by gathering evidence, issuing violation notices and citations, and preparing reports. The CSO will assist with all Community Programs and with traffic control, parades, escorts, vehicle inspections and found property.

Cultural Values and Competencies:

The mission of every employee at the City of Trinidad is to deliver exceptional value and quality of life to all of our citizens.  Each employee is measured by the ability to adhere to the city’s core value of Pride which is delivered through Purpose, Responsibility, Integrity, Dependability and Excellence.  As a City we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity for all citizens and recognize that it is a privilege to serve the citizens of Trinidad, Colorado.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required.  The City of Trinidad retains the right to modify or change the essential duties and additional functions of the job at any time without notice. Examples of duties are not intended to be all-inclusive or restrictive.  Responsibilities as outlined in the City Charter:

Note:  Regular and predictable attendance in the performance of this job is an essential function.

• Detects, responds to, and investigates code violations including animal control throughout the City. Coordinates and initiates action with property owners or tenants to correct violations.  Maintains records and prepares reports, issues summons, prepares court memoranda, and gives testimony in court as required. 
• Capture and impound dead, sick, injured, stray or trapped domestic and non-domestic animals. Investigate complaints from the public regarding stray, sick, injured, and abused animals; investigates cases of cruelty, neglect, abandonment, animal bites and barking dogs. Quarantine biting animals for observation according to established guidelines.
• Explains various ordinances regarding code enforcement and animal control to the public; post signs and distribute flyers and pamphlets.
• Respond to calls of found property, transport property to police department and log in the property management system.
• Assists with all Community Programs including Shop with a Cop, Life Skills, Explorer Post 1876, National Night Out, and Citizen’s Academy.
• Assists other divisions with traffic control at crime scenes, traffic accidents, and parades.
• Provides assistance to motorists and administers first aid as appropriate.
• Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Observes and follows established City and department policies and procedures in the daily conduct of the job.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:       

• High School diploma or equivalent.

Other Necessary Requirements: 

• Must possess a valid current state-issued driver's license and not be under suspension, revocation or denial nor have any prior alcohol related driving offenses within last five yrs.
• Successful candidates must pass a physical examination in accordance with job duties, a background investigation and drug screen prior to employment.
• Must pass the City’s Drug and Alcohol program, including pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing.
• CPR and First Aid training required.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:             

Knowledge of:

• Applicable Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.
• Report preparation and presentation.
• Principles of customer service.

Skilled in:

• Interpreting, applying and explaining laws, policies and regulations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Communicating and dealing successfully with employees, customers and citizens at all levels and with individuals of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles.

Ability to:

• To listen to, read, understand and communicate the English language so that others are able to understand. This must be done both orally and in writing, at the level appropriate for the position held.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.

Working Conditions

Work Environment and Physical Activities:            

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters and that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. This position is subject to being on call or called out during emergency situations. This position may work nights, holidays, and weekends. Position wears personal protective equipment such as radio, baton, taser, duty belt, or prescribed uniforms.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and/or move up to 75 pounds with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to move heavy objects or persons, give chase on foot, and restrain persons within the course of proper police procedures; work in confined areas; walk, sit or stand for long periods of time; possess the physical strength/ agility to defend self and/or others in a hostile or combative situation.

Tools and Equipment Used:         

Personal computer, Microsoft Office Suite, and databases; phone; fax and copy machine. Equipment such as a vehicle, radio, baton, Taser, duty belt, body camera or additional prescribed items.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general supervision of the Chief of Police.

Supervision Exercised:

Generally None.

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.