Animal Protection Investigator, Austin Animal Services

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Animal Protection Investigator

Purpose:

Under general supervision, this position performs tasks related to rabies control, dangerous or vicious animal investigations, legal proceedings, animal impoundment, education, and prevention services.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Investigates reports and complaints regarding rabies exposure, dangerous or vicious animals, and SBI events.
  
• Attends and participates in all court proceedings regarding dangerous/vicious dog, SBI cases.
  
• Answers citizens' questions and education to citizens regarding dangerous/vicious dog, SBI investigations.
  
• Establishes quarantines and oversees home observations.
  
• Writes reports and records data on appropriate log/forms.
  
• Dispatches calls for service to field personnel.
  
• Issues citations, obtain affidavits and testify in court. Fill out requests for records under the provision of the Texas Public Information Act.
  
• Answers citizens' questions and provides assistance and education to citizens regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance requirements.
  
• Maintains a current list of declared Dangerous Dogs for public access.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
  
• Knowledge of State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances concerning animal related issues/complaints.
  
• Knowledge of City of Austin and Travis County streets and roads.
  
• Skill in safely handling wild, domestic and livestock animals, including those with unknown temperament.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City of Austin employees and the public.
  
• Skill in the use of tools used to capture, restrain, and transport animals.
  
• Skill in verbal and written communication, including the ability to draft grammatically correct, concise reports under strict deadlines.
  
• Skill in Public speaking.
  
• Ability to deal with the public in crisis situations and present a professional attitude and appearance.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to diffuse heated encounters, both human and animal.
  
• Ability to identify animal species and breeds.
  
• Ability to train others.
  
• Ability to adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (1) year of experience in a field related to Animal Protection or Control.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.
  
• Basic Animal Control Certification must be completed within six (6) months of hire.
  

Notary Public must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in animal control, animal protection, code enforcement, or a related field.
  
• Experience conducting complex dangerous/vicious dog or serious bodily injury (SBI) investigations and the ability to clearly articulate findings with documentation.
  
• Completion of the State of Texas Animal Control Basic Training course.
  
• Experience coordinating with law enforcement, public health, or emergency management agencies.
  
• Mentoring and educating others regarding dog investigations.
  
• Knowledge of rabies control protocols, quarantine procedures, and dangerous dog compliance requirements.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Who Are We?

Austin Animal Service‘s mission is to enhance the lives of pets and people by preventing animal homelessness, to help lost pets find their way home or find new homes, to provide education and resources to preserve the human-animal bond, and to administer animal-related ordinances to ensure public and animal safety, all while achieving a 95% live outcome rate for sheltered pets.

We offer outstanding benefits including several health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click City of Austin Benefits for more information.

Regarding Your Application: Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. A cover letter and résumé are required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.

Pay Rate: $23.76 - $27.32

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Austin Animal Services is not a 100% remote operation.
This position is considered “essential;” employees may be required to report to work when the City of Austin offices are otherwise closed (bad weather, etc.).

Work Location: Austin Animal Services, 7201 Levander Loop, Bldg. A, Austin, TX 78702

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Class “C” Texas Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. The job offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

If you are selected to interview: Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference.

If you are selected for hire: You must provide proof of education which may include your official college transcript, High School diploma, GED or equivalent degree and your professional licenses. A Criminal Background check (CBI) will be conducted.

Additional Information: Austin Public Health/Austin Animal Services worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any APH/ASO worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other sections within the Division. Decisions on assigned section will be made at the time of hire based on business needs.

Please Note this posting may close any time after 7 days.

Essential Employee:
This position has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-03-31

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• City of Austin

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