Deputy Dog Warden

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18-$24/hour
Work Location: On site
Reports to Field Operations Manager/Lieutenant

Company Overview

Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC) is a dynamic and progressive humane society in contract with Hamilton County to deliver exceptional animal services to our community. We enforce animal laws and prioritize public safety while striving to be a community resource providing education and support to the people and animals of Hamilton County. We value our team of compassionate, open-minded and resilient staff and volunteers who make it possible to care for 8,000 animals each year. We believe that lifesaving is a community ethic and implement a collaborative, holistic approach to animal sheltering and Dog Warden services.

Position Summary

The Deputy Dog Warden assists the Chief Dog Warden in enforcing animal control laws, responding to animal-related complaints, and ensuring the health and safety of animals and the public. This position involves investigating reports of animal cruelty, capturing and impounding stray animals, and educating the community on responsible pet ownership.

Deputy Dog Wardens will be responsible for compassionate, high-quality, community-based services, working in collaboration with shelter leadership, and protecting animals through the enforcement of state and local animal control laws within the jurisdiction of Hamilton County. Officers must demonstrate knowledge of animal behavior and the ORC 955 and 959. Deputy Dog Wardens report directly to the Field Operations Manager/Lieutenant or assigned Sargent.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Enforcement of the Ohio Revised Code as it relates to animals in Hamilton County:
• Investigate complaints regarding lost sick/injured, dangerous, or nuisance animals.
• Patrol, capture, return to owners or impound lost or unlicensed animals.
• Conduct periodic checks for valid dog licenses, issue citations for violations of relevant laws concerning control and registration of dogs
• Appear in court when necessary to give testimony in the prosecution of cases.
• Safely handle and transport animals back to their homes or to the shelter or a local veterinary facility.
• Provide basic care and first aid to injured or sick animals.
• Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping of impounded animals.
• Take required actions to impound, save, or humanely destroy animals as appropriate to circumstances involved
• Sets and monitors live traps to capture dogs running at large acting as a potential menace and unable to be safely confined
• Community Interaction:
• Respond to public inquiries and provide information on animal control regulations.
• Answer questions from public regarding legal requirements, dog control and effective methods of pet care
• Conduct or assist in educational programs on responsible pet ownership and animal safety.
• Mediate disputes between pet owners and neighbors.
• Complete forms and prepares reports of actions taken for purposes of documentation, legal requirements, statistical records, or as dictated by policy
• Conduct thorough investigations of animal cruelty, neglect, and bite incidents.
• Collect and preserve evidence for legal proceedings.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports on investigations and daily activities.
• Maintain reports as required by Hamilton County Health Department for quarantine animals
• Assist in emergency situations involving animals, such as natural disasters or accidents.
• Work with law enforcement and other agencies during incidents requiring animal control intervention.
• Clean and provides routine care of equipment and vehicles used to perform duties
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

Requirements:

• Ability to operate a Hamilton County vehicle; maintain vehicle for cleanliness, well-equipped, and properly serviced; reports needed repairs to the Chief Dog Warden
• Ability to operate and dispatch radio and telephone communications systems
• Ability to be skilled in the use of devices used for capturing stray and wild animals; such as restrain pole, dip net and humane trap
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Conflict resolution and mediation.
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and corresponding safety precautions necessary for the safe performance of assigned duties
• Thorough knowledge of animal control ordinances
• Report writing and documentation.
• Public speaking and education
• Basic first aid for animals
• Ability to restrain animals
• Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalency
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues
• Knowledge of animal behavior patterns, disease symptoms and general animal care preferred.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in Law Enforcement or Security preferred.
• Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations.
• Ability to learn to handle animals safely and humanely.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Adherence to the applicable provisions of the Cincinnati Animal CARE Humane Society’s policy guidelines
• Must have personal integrity and remain free of felony convictions and most misdemeanor offenses.
• Must maintain confidentiality and follow due process in prosecution cases
• Must be able to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (rotating schedule)
• Must be 21 years or older
• Resident of Hamilton County or within 15 mile radius of the Northside shelter (3949 Colerain Ave, 45223) for emergency response purposes preferred, but not required
• Must be bondable
• Must meet minimum requirements to be a sworn peace officer
• Possession of a proper current State of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license for type of equipment operated.
• Ability to obtain weapons, O/C chemical spray, Baton, Taser and Defensive Tactics certifications within the first six months of employment.
• Within 6 months of employment, successful completion of NACA Level I and II Animal Control Officer Course.
• Within a year of employment, obtain Humane Agent Certification required to perform a full set of job duties.

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.
• Danger from moving traffic
• Exposure to aggressive and sick animals
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and parasites
• Temperature level will vary from extreme cold to extreme heat
• Moisture level will vary from extreme dry to rain, snow, and ice conditions and may require immersion in water
• May require evening, weekend, and holiday work.
• On-call availability for emergency situations.
• Potential for rotating shifts based on training level and organizational needs
• 8 or 10 hour shifts
• 3 shifts to cover 24 hours, first, second and third shifts
• Holiday availability
• Weekend availability