Animal Control Officer

Broward County, Florida; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

2 weeks PTO

40 hours of leave (Job Basis Leave)

Tuition Reimbursement up to $2K

Job summary

Broward County Board of County Commissioners seeks qualified candidates for an Animal Control Officer to support the Animal Care Division. The role offers meaningful fieldwork, investigations, and collaboration with law enforcement to protect community safety and animal welfare.

Minimum education requires one year of professional animal care experience; drivers license required; certifications due within six months of hire. This is a safety-sensitive position with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Requires 1 year of professional care and handling of animals.
• Valid Florida Class E Driver's License required.
• Must obtain Animal Care Officer Certification within 6 months.
• Must obtain Euthanasia Certification within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Respond to complaint calls, set traps, capture animals.
• Investigate animal abuse, neglect, and nuisance; enforce relevant laws.
• Patrol assigned zones and enforce Broward County animal care ordinances.
• Prepare written investigative reports for court proceedings.
• Educate the public about animal care laws, ordinances, and fees.

Skills

Animal care

Investigations

Public safety

Enforcement

Job description

REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for Animal Control Officer to support the Animal Care Division.

2026 Benefits of Broward County Employment

High Deductible Health Plan - bi-weekly premiums:

Single $10.90 / Family $80.79

Includes a County Funded Health Savings Account of up to $2000 Annually

Consumer Driven Health Plan - bi-weekly premiums:

Single $82.58 / Family $286.79

Florida Retirement System (FRS) - Pension or Investment Plan

457 Deferred Compensation Employee Match

Eleven (11) paid holidays each year

Vacation (Paid Time Off) = 2 weeks per year

Up to 40 hours of Job Basis Leave for eligible positions

Tuition Reimbursement (Up to 2K annually)

THE POSITION

This position performs specialized animal care, control, welfare, and enforcement duties to protect the health and safety of both the community and animals. Employees in this role work both independently and collaboratively to respond to animal related incidents, conduct investigations, enforce applicable animal laws and ordinances, and promote public safety and animal welfare. The position offers meaningful fieldwork, opportunities to inform and assist the community, enforcement and investigative activities, and involvement in court proceedings, all within a team-oriented environment that values professionalism, integrity, accountability, and public service

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires one (1) year of experience in the professional care and handling of animals.

Special Certifications and Licenses

Must possess a valid Florida Class E Driver's License at time of appointment and must obtain and maintain the authority to drive on County business.

Must obtain the Animal Care Officer Certification within six (6) months of hire.

Must obtain the Euthanasia Certification within six (6) months of hire.

Preferences

• Associate's degree or higher in animal sciences, veterinary sciences, law enforcement or closely related field
• NACHO Certification Levels I-III (National Animal Control Association)
• Basic Law Enforcement Recruit Training Certificate
• 2+ years of experience working as an animal care specialist or similar
• Knowledge of streets, roads, and locations within Broward County
• NACA and/or FACA certification
• Florida euthanasia certification
• Chemical Immobilization Certification

Additional Information

This position is considered a safety-sensitive position. Candidates selected for employment will be subject to pre-employment verifications to include but not limited to; post-offer physical examination/drug test and clearance of the Department of Children and Families Affidavit of Good Moral Character.

SCOPE OF WORK

Duties and Responsibilities

Responds to complaint calls in order of priority to, set traps, capture loose, stray, sick, injured, or abandoned animals; investigate animal abuse, neglect, and/or nuisance.

Conducts general investigations of animal related problems including, but not limited to animal cruelty and neglect, aggressive and dangerous dogs, animals running at-large, barking, permitting, licensing and impounding of animals all which may involve hostile, irate or distressed members of the public, in a tactful, professional and effective manner.

Patrols an assigned zone in order to identify/capture stray animals, responds to calls/complaints, and enforces animal care ordinances; captures a variety of animals in order to protect the community and to protect animals from injury/death.

Apprehends and confines stray, injured, aggressive/dangerous and nuisance animals in the most safe, humane and approved manner possible. Transports animals to sheltering facility and/or veterinary clinic.

Performs routine medical procedures/evaluation upon animals while in the field including but not limited to, conducts basic medical triage as needed; euthanize animals if necessary and permitted; and administers first-aid when necessary.

Performs routine medical procedures/evaluation upon incoming animals including but not limited to, administers oral and injectable medications; conducts basic medical triage as needed; euthanize animals if necessary and permitted; and administers first-aid when necessary.

Mediates animal issues between citizens; educates members of the public about laws and regulations on animal care; takes immediate action if necessary; gathers evidence and information for further investigation as indicated; documents information; consults with supervisors and/or management staff regarding cases of a complex or unusual nature; works with local law enforcement agencies, issues civil citations to responsible parties for animal-related issues; provides testimony on investigations and findings; performs related duties as assigned.

Maintains and uses controlled drugs in accordance with law and policy for humane euthanasia, sedation or chemical capture of animals.

Works with other community professionals such as police officers, court officials and veterinarians.

Prepares written investigative reports that may be introduced as legal court evidence.

Answers telephone calls from citizens and dispatches calls for service to other field staff on a rotational basis as assigned.

Interacts with the public in order to educate people regarding animal behavior, animal care ordinances, and basic animal care procedures; explains Broward County animal care policies, procedures, and fees; assists with adoptions, and resolves animal care ordinance related issues.

Assists public with issues of pet identification and reuniting pets with their owners.

Responds to night emergency calls on a rotating basis; assists fellow specialists as requested and/or necessary; works overtime as necessary to complete duties.

Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.

Operates a laptop/computer and other common office equipment necessary to complete the duties assigned.

Operates issued animal capture, restraint and transport equipment necessary to complete the duties assigned.

Transports shelter animals to appropriate veterinarian hospital, participates in public events as directed, and communicates well with other employees, public and administrative staff.

Performs general clerical tasks, provides backup coverage to other officers and dispatch as needed, participates in meetings and special assignments as directed.

Assists in shelter cleaning and maintenance, euthanasia and care of impounded animals when needed.

Performs other related duties, tasks, assignments and/or responsibilities as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs physical work that involves walking, running, standing, stooping, stretching, or lifting. Work also involves lifting over 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis. Dexterity involving exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to extreme noise levels.

Involves routine and frequent exposureto disease/pathogens.

Involves routine exposure to aggressive or dangerous animals.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to extreme heat and/or cold; wet or humid conditions.

Special Requirements

Required to work nights, weekends, holidays and on-call as scheduled.

Ability to perform euthanasia as required.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

County Core Values

All Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County's four core behavioral competencies.

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email [e-mail] to make an accommodation request.

County-wide Emergency Responsibilities

Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities

All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.