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Home My WebLink AboutAnimal Services OfficerUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Animal Services Oﬃcer Department: Police Division: Animal Services Supervisor: Animal Services Coordinator FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 7 Job Number: 0702 Job Summary Under general direction, patrols and enforces City and State codes and ordinances regarding animal care and control. Catches and impounds stray animals and issues written citations. Educates the public at large regarding animal related issues. Works with other Animal Services personnel to maintain shelter operations, including animal care, administrative processes and customer services duties. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Patrols, enforces, and educates the public regarding City and State codes and ordinances that pertain to animal keeping, care, welfare and public safety. • Issues municipal infractions, citations or warnings to owners/caretakers. • Assists ﬁrst responders/police/ﬁre when they have search warrants or when animals are involved. • Appears in court when necessary. • Responds to calls concerning problems with wild and domestic animals including vicious animal complaints. • Maintains close patrol in a neighborhood in order to capture an animal that is consistently reported but has evaded capture. • Conducts investigations into animal cruelty, neglect, vicious animals, animal permits and licensing, complaints such as loud or barking dogs and animal bites. • Writes and submits permit inspections and investigation reports. • Impounds injured, stray, sick and dead animals to minimize public health risk and enters information about each impounded animal into the animal service database. • Attempts to locate owners of lost and/or injured animals, through any available information in order to return animals to owners. • Maintains records for quarantine of animals. • Assists with animal care and cleaning of facility. • Assists with coordinating and promoting aspects of Animal Services events, tours and other community outreach. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • High school education or G.E.D. and seven to twelve months of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in animal control or animal care. • Animal Control Oﬃcer 1, National Animal Control Association required within six months. Euthanasia Technician certiﬁcation required within one year of hire. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • High school diploma or G.E.D. and one year of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in computer/data entry. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to administer medications and perform euthanasia. • Ability to and work directly with the public in very emotional, sometimes highly charged environment. • Ability to calculate ﬁgures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and volume. • Ability to communicate eﬀectively with the general public and educate public on responsible pet care. • Ability to demonstrate behavior observation and handling skills with domestic and wild animals. • Ability to disseminate educational information to the public relating to the centers mission. • Ability to handle fractious or aggressive dogs and cats with appropriate equipment. • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and eﬀectively delegate. • Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations. • Ability to prepare written warning and citations, reports and records. • Ability to read and understand City and State animal code books and materials, safety rules and procedure manuals. • Ability to recognize normal and abnormal animal conditions and behavior and restrain animals properly for treatment or transport. • Ability to speak eﬀectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. • Ability to use immobilization equipment. General knowledge of animal disease and preventative maintenance. • Ability to work both independently and as a team in a very busy, hectic, high stress environment. • Knowledge of City ordinances and state laws regarding animal care and control. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Knowledge of various domestic and wild animal species including general health, care, and behavior. • Skill in excellent public relations experience, be public service oriented and believe in the mission of the division. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce – Word, Excel, Outlook). Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 50 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Hand dexterity, balance and strength are essential in performing treatments on animals and during animal handling. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work closely with both domestic and wild animals and will be exposed to related hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to communicable and Zoonotic diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Dustin Liston, Police Chief (4/2024) and requirements of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________