Animal Control Officer I

Okaloosa County School System; Crestview (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Okaloosa County School System is seeking an Animal Control Officer to protect public safety and animal welfare. The role involves responding to complaints, capturing stray animals, and transporting them to approved facilities.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of animal control experience, plus a valid driver license and state-required certifications. Physical stamina and the ability to work in varied conditions are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of direct experience in animal control field operations or equivalent.
• Valid driver license.
• Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as required by Florida law (F.S. 828.27).
• Bite Stick certification within 6 months of hire.
• Chemical Capture, Euthanasia Technician and Animal Cruelty Investigator certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responds to complaints and picks up stray animals, placing them in an approved shelter or quarantine as needed.
• Traps and releases cats under the community cat program if applicable; advises owners on ordinances and state laws.
• Investigates animal bites and locates animals/owners; testifies in court as needed.
• Collects evidence and affidavits for court cases related to violations of ordinances and state law.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Protects the safety and rights of the public and the welfare of animals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Responds to complaints and picks up stray animals, placing them in an approved shelter, and if necessary, in quarantine.
• Responds to, and attempts to resolve at the lowest level, complaints relating to animal concerns.
• Patrols problem areas for stray dogs or cats and checks for valid rabies tags.
• Traps and releases cats in accordance with the community cat program if applicable.
• Advises animal owners of county Ordinances, regulations and state law, and issues citations for violations.
• Answers telephone and radio to field complaints from the public regarding animal concerns.
• Performs technical and clerical duties in support of the kennel and field operations.
• Investigates animal bites and obtains necessary information to locate animals and/or owners of animals in such cases.
• Investigates complaints of animal cruelty and related violations; may observe animals in varying states of neglect and abuse.
• Collects and prepares necessary evidence and affidavits for court cases, relative to citations and other violations of Ordinance and state law; appears and testifies in court regarding ordinance and law violations.
• Picks up diseased and/or injured animals and transports them to the necessary locations.
• Responds to calls for emergency animal assistance and disaster relief after hours per policy and supervisory direction.
• Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner; demonstrates commitment to our mission, vision, values and goals and represent the County in a professional, dignified manner at all times both in actions and appearance.
• Performs animal intakes according to protocol, including vaccinations.
• Prepares and evaluates pre-disaster and post-disaster hazards, mitigation policies and procedures.
• Audits response activities for compliance with State Rules and services.
• Communicates with various agencies and personnel for the accurate and efficient dissemination of information.
• Responds to inquiries for information and resolves complaints from citizens, public officials and other agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent, supplemented by a minimum of one (1) year direct experience in animal control field operations or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

Requires a valid driver license. Requires a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as required by Florida law (F.S. 828.27). Requires a Florida approved Bite Stick certification within six (6) months of hire. Chemical Capture, Euthanasia Technician and Animal Cruelty Investigator certifications preferred.

Other Requirements

Physical Requirements:

Requires the ability to operate office equipment, to include computers, copy/fax machines, and any related peripherals. Must be able to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, or 10 to 25 pounds of force constantly, or greater than negligible up to lift, carry, push/pull, or otherwise move objects. This position requires the ability to hear and understand communications through telephone and radio. Requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs or hands and arms. This position requires good manual dexterity, coordination and stamina; can frequently require constant movement and use of limbs. Must be able to traverse irregular, uneven, and/or erratically moving surfaces frequently. Requires the ability to perform essential tasks at or near floor level and to return to a standing position. The individual must be able to safely move into and out of low positions (such as kneeling, squatting, or sitting on the ground) and perform related duties. This position may encounter conditions typical of emergency/disaster situations. Must be able to work for sustained periods of exposure to outside atmospheric conditions. This position may encounter animals in various types of temperament during execution of their duties, such as animals in emergency/disaster situations or derelict environments. May don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or related special equipment as required per situation. Demonstrates the ability to efficiently and humanely interact with various animals typical of an animal services environment. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work.

Language Ability:

Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English, including the ability to convey, record and exchange information; requires the ability to explain procedures and to give, receive and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to read and interpret a variety of moderately complex technical data, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction and punctuation. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages used within the parameters of the job and with a broad array of individuals from various professional backgrounds.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply principles of animal control services and common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions; to deal with several simultaneous problems involving many variables in evolving situations; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Numerical Aptitude:

Must be able to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, calculate percentages and decimals.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people and animals beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress, imposed by frequent deadlines, peak workloads, or public contact. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy when in frequent contact with various professionals, county staff, and the general public.