City of Fort Wayne

Dispatcher- Animal Care and Control

Job Code:

2024228

Posted On:

Thursday, 1st August 2024

Category:

Regular Full Time

Department:

Animal Care and Control

Shift:

40 hours per week, hours vary depending upong shift bid and assignment.

Location:

Fort Wayne, IN 200 E. Berry Street

Pay Rate:

25.83/hour

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Answer and investigate all incoming citizens complaints and issues, over the phone and in person, in a timely, professional, and proficient manner. Investigate and dispatch calls to officers with the urgency and need that each unique call warrants. Operate computer terminals with confidential law enforcement and agency databases. Maintain a professional and even demeanor when working with a diverse public in varying degrees of emotional states, adapt quickly to differing situations and emotions and be able to empathize with citizens needs and concerns. Investigate and verify that city ordinances have been adhered to. Issue necessary enforcement actions to citizens and prepare required legal documents for court, when non-compliance has been determined. Distinguish and verify legal hold periods and animal ownership. Perform the intake and redemption of numerous types of animals with varying degrees of behavioral socialization. Effectively read and interpret animal signals and behaviors to ensure safety of animals, employees, and the public in the office lobby. Evaluate animal conditions and gather information to disseminate to officers or supervisors on possible animal neglect, abuse or cruelty. Inspect necessary documentation and ensure compliance on new and renewal of required animal, animal events and business permits as required by city ordinance. Research all incoming bite reports. Ensure appropriate level of response and communication with local and Indiana State Board of Health. Possess knowledge of city ordinances, local and state laws. Work under the direct supervision of the Animal Care and Control Supervisor - Office. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESinclude the ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism and the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Information and Communication

• Dispatches animal control officers using police dispatch equipment, police codes and confidential law enforcement database (Spillman). Investigates and prioritizes all incoming calls based on facts presented for each individual situation. Serves as initial investigator for all high priority urgent calls and coordinate law enforcement responses as appropriate. Determines and dispatches high priority public safety calls that have a human and or animal in immediate danger. Contacts Fort Wayne Police Department for response when public safety issues warrant and/or officer safety are a concern. Performs background investigations on animal, owner, and address involved in complaint in the confidential agency animal database, mapping software, confidential law enforcement database (Spillman) and court database to provide to officers in the field. Handles a variety of investigative information that is sensitive in nature and requires a high level of confidentiality. Determine other agencies that are required at the scene and make appropriate contacts. Maintains a detailed log of radio calls, computer messages and inquires received and transmitted;
• Works independently without direct supervisory control and work in a confidential capacity due to information handled during work processes. Works with a diversified ublic. Makes decisions in disseminating confidential information to the public. Work with confidential records in the confidential law enforcement database (Spillman) and agency database;
• Provides professional customer service in person and on the phone, to a diverse general public, governmental agencies, private enterprise, consultants, professionals and others doing business or making inquiries with Animal Care and Control. Deescalates hostile situations and determines when other agency assistance is warranted in order to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the animals, officers and public. Coordinates, corresponds, and contacts partnering agencies such as local Police Department, Fire Department, Board of Health, County Animal Control, Neighborhood Code, Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services as needed or requested;
• Testifies in court as needed. Reviews all void of compliance and to pay citations and investigate whether citizens are in compliance with citations. Prepares and processes final notices for citizens who are not in compliance. Prepares and processes court summons for all individuals who have not complied by the deadline outlined on the final notice. Documents compliance, non-compliance, all correspondence with citizen, and steps taken to eliminate the citizen having to appear in court. Maintains strict documentation of all conversations and interactions with citizens regarding citations;
• Provides citizens with the requested public record request forms. Prints all requested information, review and retract protected information and forward to supervisor for final approval;

Document Management/Analysis

Determines the necessary documentation, paperwork, information and signatures needed for all intakes and redemptions based on the owners / animals unique situation. Ensures that all required paperwork and signatures are received and completed accurately;

Receives, compiles, and investigates all incoming bite reports from area hospitals, emergency medical facilities, veterinarians, victims, dog owners, and the Board of Health. Determines and dispatches officers when the bite is off property, occurred to a juvenile or based on severity of an on property bite. Prepares and documents all information related to the bite. Identifies high risk biting animals needing to be shipped to the Indiana State Board of Health for rabies testing. Notifies owners of quarantine instructions, rabies test results, and any other additional information needed pertaining to the bite. Forwards bite paperwork to local Board of Health or to the appropriate jurisdiction for bites occurring outside the city limits;

Prepares chain of command forms for pet registration tags delivered to area veterinarians. Schedules and dispatches officers to local veterinarians to deliver pet registrations and collect pet registrations forms and money for all tags sold. Processes and enters all pet registrations including animal and owner information, receipt all money received, reconcile pet registrations delivered with detailed claim form and receipts. Completes year end reports on tag sales for each individual veterinarian and reconcile all tags delivered, sold, and returned;

Compiles and enters statistics on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Processes and corrects errors reports to clean data prior to quarterly and annual statistic reports being printed and entered. Statistics collected