Animal Control Officer

Description

Join our award winning team!This is primarily field operations or shelter-based work enforcing State Statute, County and City Ordinances relating to animals. Incumbent enforces animal control codes, issues warnings, citations and summons, and apprehends stray animals to ensure the health and safety of the public.

The ideal candidate must be able to use good judgment in determining hazards and the appropriate course of action in handling animals and dealing with the public in stressful situations. Knowledge of the safe handling and transporting dangerous, sick, or injured animals is a plus. Due to the nature of the work, you may be exposed to deceased, irritable, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to all types of animal control complaints and calls for service.

• Must have a positive attitude and be able to communicate with emotional people in challenging situations.

• Investigates animal bites, scratches and encounters, and completes related reports.

• Patrols assigned area of the County, seizes and impounds all dogs not confined or under their owner's reasonable control; conducts periodic checks for valid dog licenses, issues citations and required licenses to persons found in violation of relevant laws concerning control and registration of dogs.

• Catches, traps, and controls wild and domestic animals, including vicious and combative animals (large and small), and transports them to appropriate facility.

• Enforces State, County, and City laws, codes and ordinances pertaining to animal control.

• Educates citizens regarding animal control regulations.

• Answers questions from citizens regarding legal requirements, dog control and effective methods of pet care.

• Checks and enforces licensing of animals in the community.

• Operates vehicles and animal control trapping/catching devices.

• Communicates by radio, phone, and in writing including detailed incident reports, citations, memorandums, activity logs, and letters.

• Testifies in court and administrative proceedings.

Education, Experience, Licensing

Minimum Requirements:

• Requires any combination of education and/or experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED.

• One year of work experience in handling, trapping, snaring, transporting, and caring for domestic animals and livestock, regulatory compliance and enforcement, law enforcement and/or closely related field.

• Requires possession of Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) Certification in Euthanasia andFACACertified Animal Control Officer or be able to obtain within one year of hire date.

• Possession of a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required.

Preferred Requirements:

• Criminal Justice or closely related degree.

• Prior law enforcement, military or animal control experience is preferred.

• Two years of work experience in handling, trapping, snaring, transporting, and caring for domestic animals and livestock, regulatory compliance and enforcement, law enforcement and/or closely related field.

Supplemental Information

Many functions of the work pose a high degree of hazard uncertainty. Unique mental stresses associated with animal control enforcement demands may be present. This position has exposure to stressful situations because of human and animal behavior and requires memory for detail, creative problem-solving, and the ability to think effectively.

Work hours and days will vary, with rotational weekend and night shifts required to cover 24/7.