Animal Control Officer I

Santa Rosa County, FL; Milton (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Rosa County, Florida, seeks an Animal Control Officer to protect public safety and welfare of animals. Responsibilities include responding to complaints, catching stray animals, enforcing ordinances, and testifying in court when needed.

The role requires driving, physical stamina, and knowledge of rabies and animal care. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and Florida certifications within six months of hire.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Florida-approved Euthanasia Technician certification required within 6 months of hire.
• Florida Animal Control Officer Certification required within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Responds to complaints and picks up stray animals, placing them in the shelter or quarantine.
• Acts as intermediary in disputes between neighbors regarding animal problems.
• Patrols areas for stray dogs or cats and checks rabies tags.
• Advises owners of county regulations and issues citations for violations.
• Answers calls and radio to field complaints about animal issues.
• Performs technical and clerical duties in support of kennel and field operations.
• Investigates animal bites and locates animals/owners; testifies in court as needed.
• Collects evidence and affidavits for court cases related to citations and violations.

Skills

Public safety

Communication

Enforcement

Report writing

Radio procedures

Education

High school diploma

Euthanasia Technician certification

Animal Control Officer Certification

Job description

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

Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks which are also performed but are incidental to the primary functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the class necessarily perform every duty listed. Personal characteristics required of all employees such as honesty, industry, sobriety and the ability to get along with others, are presumed qualities and may not be listed specifically.

• Responds to complaints and picks up stray animals, placing them in the shelter, and if necessary, in quarantine.
• Responds to complaints and acts as intermediary in disputes between neighbors, relating to animal problems.
• Patrols problem areas for stray dogs or cats and checks for valid rabies tags.
• Advises animal owners of county regulations and issues citations for violations.
• Answers telephone and radio to field complaints from the public regarding animal problems.
• 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 violations of this complaint.
• Collects and prepares necessary evidence and affidavits for court cases, relative to citations and other violations of the ordinance; appears and testifies in court regarding ordinance 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.
• Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Must demonstrate 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.
• May have a role in the County's disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, as designated in the County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; may be required to work before, during and/or after an emergency.
• Must be able to meet minimum attendance standards.
• Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL, VISUAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

The physical requirements are that of heavy work and include exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching stooping, stretching reaching or similar activities; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items over 50 pounds; or defending oneself or others against physical attack. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristic and abilities, such as above average agility or dexterity. Must be able to physically control highly active/aggressive animals using available equipment. Requires repetitive motion of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Requires fingering to including picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Requires grasping by applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Required to operate a motor vehicle in the performance of job functions. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures. Transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors or shades of color. Requires the expression or exchange of ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly. Requires perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress that require a range of safety and other precautions where conditions cannot be controlled and/or is exposed to one or more disagreeable conditions such as irate customers, outdoor weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme temperatures, odors, dust, animal odors, chemicals, etc. more than 50% of the work time.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of methods and techniques in capturing animals; animal care and feeding; symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; State and County laws and ordinances; county streets and roads; communication equipment and radio procedures. Required to operate a personal computer and type. Required to draft and prepare reports. Required to interpret and enforce state and county animal control laws and ordinances in a firm, tactful and impartial manner; read for comprehension; express ideas effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain working relationship with employees, volunteers and public.

LICENSURE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Requires a valid driver license at the date of hire and maintain said license while employed in this position. Must have completed or complete within six (6) months of hire, a Florida approved Euthanasia Technician certification course. Must have completed or complete within six (6) months of hire, a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as required by Florida law (F.S. 828.27).

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent; supplemented by one (1) year experience in animal control, code enforcement or security; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Applicants must have at least the minimum educational documentation and/or certifications (requested within the job description) uploaded with their application to be eligible for consideration.

Human Resources office located at 6495 Caroline Street, Suite H Milton, FL 32570.

Candidates may be asked to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the position during the interview process.

A Drug Free Workplace/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /Veteran's Preference will be given in accordance with Florida Statutes.