Animal Control Officer

Teller County’s Sheriff’s Office is seeking a full-time Animal Control Officer to enforce animal-related laws to protect public safety and animal welfare. Duties include, but are not limited to, patrolling for stray or dangerous animals, responding to complaints, investigating bites and cruelty cases, and handling emergency care. The role involves issuing citations, preparing reports, collaborating with agencies, and educating the public and maintaining accurate records.

What You'll Do:

(1) Patrol in neighborhoods at random for dogs in violation of animal control ordinances and in response to complaints of dogs and other animals at large.

(2) Respond to calls regarding livestock, and other unusual animals running at large or posing a threat to the health, welfare, and safety of the community, seeking means to control or impound the animals as necessary.

(3) Apprehend and impound stray dogs and other animals in violation of animal control ordinances, or issue summonses and complaints to the owner or keeper of said animals. Ability to make appropriate determination if probable cause before charging any person(s) with a violation.

(4) Respond to citizen requests for pick-up service of confined/stray dogs.

(5) Facilitate rabies quarantine procedures in cooperation with health department and other agencies; enforce state and County health department laws regarding rabies vaccination requirements.

(6) Investigate reports of animal attacks against humans or other animals.

(7) Respond to calls on injured animals and if needed administer first aid; transport the animal to veterinarian for treatment or to the shelter for care; obtain corroborating veterinary statements as needed.

(8) Perform emergency euthanasia for sick/injured animals in the field and may assist with euthanasia of sick/injured animals in the shelter as required.

(9) Rescue animals in distress; perform investigations of reports on animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse.

(10) Make report to resolve situations by educating the party on the needs of the animal, or by issuing summons and complaint if warranted; gather evidence for prosecution if warranted; make follow-up visit to determine welfare of animal as necessary.

(11) Take signed complaints from citizens, and serve officer-initiated complaints, in response to animal ordinance violations.

(12) Secure necessary search and seizure warrants and court orders; make court appearances and testify as necessary; perform citizen contacts regarding delinquent animal licenses.

(13) Keep records of daily activities and make reports as necessary; participate in regular and special training and education programs to gain new ideas and information leading to the greater efficiency, effectiveness, and courtesy of an animal control officer.

(14) Perform other animal control and welfare activities as related to performance of duties.