Senior Animal Control Officer Division of Animal Service, Department of Health Services

Organizational Overview:

The Division of Animal Center is responsible for Animal Control and related services for 49 towns in Bergen and Hudson Counties. The mission of Animal Center is to promote the humane treatment of all animals, reunite lost pets with their owners, and encourage adoption, foster care, and wildlife rehabilitation. Additionally, Animal Center works to reduce animal populations through spay/neuter programs (TNR) and public education on animal welfare. The organization also supports the community in responsible pet ownership.

Job Description:           

This employment opportunity is to serve as the Senior Animal Control Officer. Under the supervision of a supervisory official in a local government agency or institution, takes the lead over lower-level animal control officers and/or performs the more difficult and complex technical work involved with handling, capturing and, when necessary, humanely destroying wild and stray domesticated animals and birds; cares for impounded animals; cleans and maintains the impounding facility; does other related duties as required.   

Job Responsibilities:              

• Assists superiors in the planning, development, and evaluation of animal control policies and programs.
• Assists superiors in ensuring animal control officers are patrolling their assigned areas and performing their work according to established procedures.
• With appropriate authorization, may represent superiors in animal control meetings held with federal, state, county, local government, private individuals, organizations, industry, and business representatives.
• Contacts appropriate enforcement personnel regarding violations of federal or state animal control laws, rules, and regulations.
• Maintains current knowledge and understanding of pending legislation, and federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal control and treatment.
• Assists superiors and/or is responsible for the chemical bathing of animals and isolation of sources of contagion.
• Answers inquiries regarding ordinances and regulations pertaining to animal control.
• Advises animal owners and others of the law and instructs them on practices and procedures required.
• Patrols the streets, captures, and impounds stray animals, wild game, birds, and unlicensed dogs.
• Handles complaints regarding wild and stray animals, and licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals.
• Prepares comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Enforces the rabies control program and issues summons for violations of local or state animal control ordinances.

Schedule:    Pitman Schedule Full Time.  

Education Requirements: High School Diploma

Other Requirements:

• Possess current and valid animal control certificate; issued by the NJ Department of Health.
• Three (3) years of experience in animal control.
• Possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, excellent computer skills.
• Ability to work well in a cooperative, team-oriented environment.
• Effective multi-tasker.
• Weekend and holiday work is required.

 

What we offer:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Enrollment into the state pension system
• Life, Short-term Disability & Long-term Disability coverage
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Competitive hourly wages
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Please send resume and employment application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.