Animal Warden

Summary
With minimal supervision, acts to control rabies by handling animals, including tranquilizing, impounding and/or relocating wild animals, injured animals, vicious animals and stray animals as required. Conducts investigations into ordinance or statutory violations, and issues violation notices and tickets as appropriate. Interacts with the public and with other outside agencies and organizations representing the Lake County Health Department.

Scheduled Hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
• Start/Stop times can vary based on schedule rotation but are generally 9am - 5pm.

Responsibilities:

• Functions as the Lake County Health Department's public contact with the community in the field regarding animal control issues. Informs the public about the laws regarding animals, bites and strays.
• Issues violation notices, warnings and tickets as required.
• Responsible for night and weekend calls in rotation as required.
• Receives training in the tools used for animal control and thereafter is responsible for proper utilization and care of these tools, including tranquilizing guns and medications.
• Responsible for maintaining equipment, uniforms and vehicles in good working condition.
• Prepares activity reports and records of inspections, investigations, transactions and correspondence.
• Participates in making recommendations that formulate service area policies and procedures.
• Investigates complaints involving possible violations, offers advice on solutions, and makes follow-up inspections.
• Offers solutions and follow up on corrections of ordinance and code violations.
• Makes reasonable and accurate interpretations of statutes and ordinances applicable to responsibilities.
• Educates the public on environmental health issues and the public health rationale for recommendations.
• Formulates goals and objectives, establishes appropriate timelines/deadlines and balances his or her workload when involved in multiple projects.
• Acts in concert with Department of Agriculture in matters relating to livestock and other domestic animals.
• Prepares and submits specimens suspected of rabies or other zoonoses, including West Nile specimens to the appropriate laboratory.
• Patrols area of responsibility. Assists Lake County Sheriff and township officials when requested.
• Sets humane traps for animals when appropriate.
• Assists the public, community service officers, police departments, Lake County Sheriff, Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers and co-workers with impoundment and release of animals, and maintains accurate records of these transactions.
• Processes telephone inquiries and complaints from the public, other agencies and Health Department staff regarding strays, and relinquished, biting, and wild animals.
• Assists in the transfer of impounded animals to other animal control/adoption facilities.
• As required and assigned, acts as radio dispatcher, dispatching wardens to appropriate locations based upon complaints or requests from municipalities, the Sheriff's Department, or private citizens.
• As required and assigned, conducts animal bite investigations, processes rabies registrations and works with the spay/neuter program.
• As required and assigned, assists in maintaining safe and sanitary animal housing areas.
• Assists at vaccination or micro-chip clinics.
• Performs humane euthanasia when needed.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required:

• Requires a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Requires 1 year of experience as an animal warden or relevant experience.
• Requires a valid driver's license with appropriate classification and a satisfactory driving record.
• Requires ability to be licensed by the Department of Professional Regulation State of Illinois Certified Euthanasia Technician within 1 year of hire if not already licensed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.73 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Animal handling: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19