Animal Care Services Investigator

Summary

We welcome and appreciate your interest in employment with the City of Corpus Christi. We are an equal opportunity employer; no information obtained during the recruitment or selection process is intended for any discriminatory purposes.

Pay

This position is a non exempt position at pay grade 109.

Attendance

Non - rotating 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 4:00pm. Must be available to work additional hours as needed.

Who May Apply?

All persons legally authorized to work in the United States

Overview:

Under general direction of the Animal Care Services Program Manager, ACS Supervisor and ACS Lead ACO, is responsible for the investigation of animal cruelty complaints from neglect, animal hoarding, misdemeanor, and felony level offenses. Responsible for the enforcement of City ordinances and State laws concerning cruelty to animals and other criminal activities related to Animal Care Services. Will assemble a criminal case file to submit to the City Attorney's Office for criminal charges. Will testify in court concerning Animal Cruelty both at the Municipal, District and possible State level Courts. Additional responsibilities will be for the investigations into Texas State Law (Health and Safety Code) and the Chapter 6 Ordinance for the City of Corpus Christi specifically for Dangerous and Aggressive Dogs. Will be responsible for creating and presenting findings to the Program Manager for determination to deem dogs Dangerous or Aggressive. Will ensure owners of deemed dogs are following requirements as outlined in their determination letters and the Chapter 6 Ordinances. Will be called to testify in court as needed for cases. In addition, Investigation will be responsible for all Serious Bodily Injury dog attacks as outlined in the Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822 which includes obtaining seizure warrant for dog, providing case file to City Attorney's Office, testifying in court and if determined euthanizing offending dog. Will also be responsible for working with CCPD or be direct investigator for all Attack by Dog cases outlined by Texas Health and Safety code Section 822 which is a third-degree felony. Will file criminal case files directly with the District Attorney's Office when a Attack by Dog occurs. Working conditions are in an office setting with fieldwork outside with frequent exposure to temperature extremes. May exercise functional lead over assigned Animal Control Officer I and Animal Control Officer II.

Responsibilities

• Assist with Field Operations and respond to calls for service concerning animals, both domestic and wild

• Proactively patrol the city enforcing the city's ordinances, issuing warnings and or citations

• Safely and humanely capture and transport animals including but not limited to those that are sick, injured or potentially dangerous

• Immediately respond to calls for animal assistance from law enforcement agency staff standing by. May be asked to assist with Bite Investigation as necessary

• Write detailed report of actions taken on each call worked and input information into the ACS software

• Counsel/educate citizens regarding responsible animal ownership

• Required to testify in cases both administrative and criminal in court when necessary

• Must maintain equipment and vehicles in working order and ensure proper sanitation standards are adhered to so as not to transmit diseases

• Attend and present at scheduled events, educational seminars, schools, and other workshops as required

• Responsible for calls of service and complaints of Animal Cruelty for the city of Corpus Christi

• Responsible for enforcing Chapter 6 Ordinances and State Law concerning the treatment of animals and possible acts of Animal Cruelty

• Investigate reports of unsuitable living conditions, calls ranging from neglect to critical/criminal cruelty offenses

• Will obtain Animal Cruelty Warrants as authorized under the Texas Health and Safety Code to seize animals believed to have been cruelly treated.

• Prepares cases for administrative and criminal trial

• Provide cases to both City Attorney's Office and District Attorneys Office when needed

• Follow up on cases that are adjudicated, keeping track of outcomes for both administrative and criminal cases

• Review criminal case files with Program Manager and with approval file them directly with the District Attorney's Office for recommendations of criminal charges for animal cruelty

• Responsible for the investigations of complaints concern animal hoarding which includes both private citizens, rescue organizations and other related agencies

• Will work directly with APS and CPS when necessary

• Document scene of hoarding including animals and their living conditions for evidence in the form of digital pictures, crime scene sketches, and detailed Officer reports

• Coordinate with ACS staff (clinic, shelter, field, leadership) when there is a need to obtain a warrant and conduct a large scale impound. Will review hoarding cases for the possibility of criminal charges.

• Responsible for the interviewing of suspects and witness for animal cruelty

• Will work closely and assist with CCACS Veterinarian and Clinic staff on medical evaluations, performance and documentation of animal necropsy

• After receiving an affidavit Investigator will initiate investigation into incident involving a dog that meets the definition of a Dangerous Dog as outline in our Chapter 6 Ordinances

• Conduct an unbiased investigation contact all parties and witness involved with incident

• Take reports and enter documentation into the ACS Chameleon system

• Present findings to the Program Manager for consideration and recommendation to either deem a dog Dangerous or Not Dangerous

• Once determination is made and if dog is declared Dangerous will be responsible for contacting owner of said dog and providing Declaration/Determination Letter them.

• If an appeal is filed will be responsible for providing case file to City Attorney's Office and testifying in court as necessary.

• For declared Dangerous Dogs will be responsible for ensuring owner compliance with the requirements of owing a Dangerous Dog.

• Will conduct yearly inspection of Dangerous Dogs owner to ensure that are maintaining compliance with the requirements.

• Will keep record of all active Dangerous Dogs in City and their compliance status each year

• Responsible for Chain of Custody of all evidence, cases related to Dangerous Dog cases

• After receiving an affidavit Investigator will initiate investigation into incident involving a dog that meets the definition of an Aggressive Dog as outline in our Chapter 6 Ordinances

• Conduct an unbiased investigation contact all parties and witness involved with incident. Will take reports and enter documentation into the ACS Chameleon system

• (SBI) Investigator is responsible for pursuing all cases of Serious Bodily Injury attacks from dogs in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code 822.

• Conduct interviews with victim(s), dog owner and witnesses to establish facts of case to provide case files to Law Enforcement or if lead on case will file directly with the District Attorney's Office

• When needed will obtain Seizure Warrant for attacking dog from Municipal Court and serve and seize dog for administrative hearing.

• If outcome of hearing is dog inflicted SBI will euthanize dog as appropriate. (Attack by Dog) Investigator is responsible for being lead or working with Law Enforcement when there is an Attack By Dog in the City in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code 822

• Responsible for Chain of Custody of all evidence, cases related to SBI and Attack by Dog cases

• Position requires a high level of customer service with contact with citizens both in the field and at the CCACS campus.

• Will be exposed to angry, upset, hostile citizens and must maintain professionalism and be respectful when dealing with citizens and strive to provide education concerning the city's ordinances.

• Must be knowledgeable about services CCACS can provide, knowledgeable about the Chapter 6 ordinances, and should be able to assist citizens with finding resolutions to problems. Will forward complaints to Supervisor as warranted.

• Will assist the Shelter Operations with the cleaning of kennels, the feeding of animals, general upkeep of campus and transporting of animals.

• When needed will assist the Clinic with the vaccinating of animals, medicating of animals, transporting of animals. Officer will assist in the euthanasia of animals as needed. Officer can be asked to supplement the Vector Control Officers as needed. Will positively promote ACS adoption when on campus or off campus.

• Offer alternatives to citizens that wish to surrender their animals.

• Attend neighborhood meetings to have an open forum discussion with citizens. Walk in problem areas and individually educate citizens.

• Provide printed material to citizens with educational material. Visit schools and other functions throughout the community. Participate in news media releases with a stress on education and adoption promotion

• May be asked to perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

•Requires Associate Degree (AA/AS); or 2-year technical certificate

•Minimum of 3 years of experience

•A combination of education and pertinent experience may be considered

•Must possess the Texas Department of State Health Services Basic Animal Control Officer Certification or obtain within six (6) months of employment. Must continue education credits of 30 hours over each three (3) year period

•Must obtain National cruelty Investigation certification within three (3) years of employment

•Must be certified in Euthanasia or within one (1) year of assuming position

•Must be certified in Bite Stick training and Chemical Capture or within one (1) year of assuming position

•Must be certified in Dangerous Dog Investigation or within one (1) year of assuming position

•A valid driver's license is required; successful out-of-state candidates must be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 90 days of hire

Other Information:

Benefits

The City offers an excellent benefit package that includes:

• Texas Municipal Retirement System - TMRS is a required retirement plan for all full-time employees. Each employee automatically contributes 7% of their total compensation. The City will match employee contributions 2 to 1 during retirement.

• Medical/dental/vision/life coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.

• Vacation - 88+ hours per year

• Personal leave - 40 hours per year

• Sick leave - 96 hours per year

• Voluntary 457b deferred compensation plan

• Ten (10) Holidays

• Flexible Spending Account

• City Employee Health & Wellness Clinic & City Employee Fitness Center

• Learning & Development Academy

• Tuition Reimbursement Programs

• Employee Recognition Programs

Basis of Rating

Application review and the City may also conduct additional skill assessment tests, in addition to the panel interview.

Closing Statement

• Selected applicants must be able to pass a background investigation and a pre-employment drug test.

• Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position with the City of Corpus Christi. In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.