JOB TITLE: DOG LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 74521

DEFINITION: This is technical and supervisory work overseeing the enforcement of Pennsylvania dog and rabies law in an assigned region for the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this job supervises and participates in dog and rabies law enforcement work. Work involves assigning and overseeing kennel inspections, dog bite report investigations, dangerous dog investigations, and rabies vaccination enforcement actions; reviewing kennel license applications; reviewing kennel inspection reports and conducting spot check inspections; participating in investigations and court proceedings for complex dog violation incidents; and reviewing warden reports on damage claims. Work includes promoting and coordinating educational events and activities; developing and conducting training programs for staff, police, the public, and stakeholder organizations; and directing cooperative efforts with local law enforcement, county officials, and community organizations to promote dog law compliance. Supervision is exercised over Dog Law Enforcement Warden employees. Work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures under the direction of the Dog Law Enforcement Director who reviews work for conformance to program objectives and goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Assigns and oversees licensed dog kennel inspections; reviews inspection reports; and conducts spot check inspections to ensure proper maintenance, sanitation, and animal well-being.

• Reviews and determines the disposition of claims regarding unwanted strays and dangerous dogs in accordance with local and state humane disposition laws.

• Reviews dog kennel license applications, approves applications which meet all necessary criteria, and refers problematic applications to the director with recommendations for denial.

• Oversees legal actions for dog law violations and participates in complex incident cases, including obtaining and executing search warrants with state and local police, filing summary and misdemeanor citations, preparing documents and witnesses for court, presenting evidence before judges, and testifying in criminal and administrative court proceedings.

• Coordinates and participates in cooperative projects with local law enforcement authorities, county officials, sportsmen's organizations, civic groups, and other stakeholders to promote dog law compliance in communities.

• Explains dog law provisions and provides best practice advice to kennel owners and managers, dog owners, and local communities.

• Reviews inspection and incident reports and provides guidance and recommendations on appropriate actions.

• Develops and conducts training programs for staff, state and local police, the public, and community organizations to explain dog laws and enforcement procedures.

• Operates motor vehicles to conduct investigations and inspections.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state dog and rabies laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of the practices and principles of basic animal husbandry.

• Knowledge of effective research and investigative techniques.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement.

• Ability to apply conflict resolution techniques when interacting with dog owners, kennel owners, and the public.

• Ability to identify physical and environmental signs of dog negligence and abuse, such as physical illnesses and injuries and unsanitary kennel and shelter conditions.

• Ability to develop and conduct educational presentations.

• Ability to interpret and convey statutes, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to interpret and convey written materials, reports, and forms.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Three years of experience as a Dog Law Enforcement Warden (commonwealth title);

or

• Three years of dog law enforcement or animal control experience;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.ises and participates in dog and rabies law enforcement work. Work involves assigning and overseeing kennel inspections, dog bite report investigations, dangerous dog investigations, and rabies vaccination enforcement actions; reviewing kennel license applications; reviewing kennel inspection reports and conducting spot check inspections; participating in investigations and court proceedings for complex dog violation incidents; and reviewing warden reports on damage claims. Work includes promoting and coordinating educational events and activities; developing and conducting training programs for staff, police, the public, and stakeholder organizations; and directing cooperative efforts with local law enforcement, county officials, and community organizations to promote dog law compliance. Supervision is exercised over Dog Law Enforcement Warden employees. Work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures under the direction of the Dog Law Enforcement Director who reviews work for conformance to program objectives and goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Assigns and oversees licensed dog kennel inspections; reviews inspection reports; and conducts spot check inspections to ensure proper maintenance, sanitation, and animal well-being.

• Reviews and determines the disposition of claims regarding unwanted strays and dangerous dogs in accordance with local and state humane disposition laws.

• Reviews dog kennel license applications, approves applications which meet all necessary criteria, and refers problematic applications to the director with recommendations for denial.

• Oversees legal actions for dog law violations and participates in complex incident cases, including obtaining and executing search warrants with state and local police, filing summary and misdemeanor citations, preparing documents and witnesses for court, presenting evidence before judges, and testifying in criminal and administrative court proceedings.

• Coordinates and participates in cooperative projects with local law enforcement authorities, county officials, sportsmen's organizations, civic groups, and other stakeholders to promote dog law compliance in communities.

• Explains dog law provisions and provides best practice advice to kennel owners and managers, dog owners, and local communities.

• Reviews inspection and incident reports and provides guidance and recommendations on appropriate actions.

• Develops and conducts training programs for staff, state and local police, the public, and community organizations to explain dog laws and enforcement procedures.

• Operates motor vehicles to conduct investigations and inspections.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state dog and rabies laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of the practices and principles of basic animal husbandry.

• Knowledge of effective research and investigative techniques.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement.

• Ability to apply conflict resolution techniques when interacting with dog owners, kennel owners, and the public.

• Ability to identify physical and environmental signs of dog negligence and abuse, such as physical illnesses and injuries and unsanitary kennel and shelter conditions.

• Ability to develop and conduct educational presentations.

• Ability to interpret and convey statutes, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to interpret and convey written materials, reports, and forms.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Three years of experience as a Dog Law Enforcement Warden (commonwealth title);

or

• Three years of dog law enforcement or animal control experience;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.