Animal Control Officer I

Bay County; Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 27,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay County is seeking an Animal Control Officer I to handle emergency and non-emergency animal control calls, respond to a variety of incidents, and support shelter operations. You will work with the public and law enforcement to enforce animal control laws, assist with adoptions, and ensure humane handling of animals.

Responsibilities include capturing stray animals, maintaining records, and participating in euthanasia or transport duties as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six (6) month experience in animal control enforcement preferred.
• Comparable training/experience may substitute for minimum qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Receives service requests by telephone and dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Handles vicious animals, nuisance wildlife, and injured animals.
• Advices citizens on animal ownership and issues warnings or citations.
• Investigates animal cruelty and prepares documentation for court when needed.
• Maintains records of enforcement, sheltering, and medical information.

Skills

Public safety

Emergency dispatch

Animal handling

Verbal communication

MS Word/Excel/Outlook

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Animal Control Officer I# Careers## Animal Control Officer IApply: Animal Services: Full time: Posted Today: JR100074**SALARY:**$19.60 - $34.30**NATURE OF WORK****Grade:**BOCC-B80-4 b**Job Class:**4 - Sales Workers (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America), Tier 1 - • Normal duties would include preparation for, response to, and recovery from a disaster • Not excused from work during a disaster • Most likely called in to work prior to onset, will report when summoned or no less than 18 hours before onset of TS force winds • Provided with food, water, shelter VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLAN (Tier Status)**Worker Comp Code:**8831 - Hospital-Veterinary & Drivers (United States of America)**EEO Classification:**4 - Sales Workers (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)**JOB TYPE:**Employee**NATURE OF JOB:****ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:· Receives requests for service by telephone and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, 911 Emergency Services, and law enforcement agencies relating to state and local animal cruelty and regulatory laws, in addition to other animal control law enforcement matters and shelter operations.· Handles independently, vicious animals, nuisance wildlife, and injured animals.· Communicates with animal owners and citizens in confrontational and stressful situations in person and by phone.· Tracks the location of Animal Control Officers, dispatches and assigns back-up assistance to officers, or takes other appropriate action to ensure the safety of officers.· Answers questions, complaints and concerns regarding animal control, treatment and care.· Locates, contains and removes dangerous or stray animals.· Utilizes animal capture devices, such as cat and dog traps in a proficient and humane manner.· Cares for and periodically treats injured or sick animals, including transporting severely sick and injured animals to area Veterinarians as necessary.· Responds to dispatch directives and calls in accordance with established priority procedures.· Attempts to locate stray animal owners and obtain information necessary to satisfy complaint and ensure that regulations are enforced.· Advises citizens on responsibilities of animal ownership and issues warning notices and citations to owner of animals, when animal control ordinance or state law has been violated.· Investigates animal abandonment, animal abuse and animal cruelty and prepares all necessary documentation to prosecute when necessary.· Prepares documentation for civil/criminal action such as reports and affidavits, initiates court action on ordinance violations, and testifies in a courtroom setting as needed.· Enters data of enforcement, sheltering and medical information in the Animal Services computer database.· Obtains necessary information in cases of animal bites; advises all parties on proper procedure and appears in county court.· Completes daily duties when assigned to animal shelter, such as greeting and attending to the public, cleaning, feeding, watering dogs and cats, intake processing and otherwise caring for animals.· Assists in and performs euthanasia of animals as needed, which includes handling controlled substances during euthanasia in accordance with federal and state laws, and utilizing extensive and exact recordkeeping and documentation.· Facilitates adoption of stray animals pursuant to state and county regulations or in concert with other adoption agencies and rescue organizations.· Oversees dog kennel areas and catteries when the general public is present.· Collects and handles money in an ethical and exact manner.· Performs daily checks of trucks and equipment to ensure equipment/vehicle serviceability and accountability.· Elicits information from callers, evaluates telephone calls, and decides upon or takes proper action to resolve complaint or other animal control issue.· Operates multiple phone lines, radio frequencies, a computer, and other applicable equipment to communicate information to Animal Control Officers in the field.· Processes license forms and maintains handwritten and computer records/logs.· Provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public by personally responding to requests for service or making appropriate referrals.· Assists with public adoption events when required.· The employer may add to or change duties at any time and as determined by the County and its leaders to best ensure that the public is served through the work of the Department.· Performs other related duties as assigned.**MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:**· Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent; AND· Six (6) month experience in animal control enforcement preferred.· A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.**LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:**· Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Florida driver license upon offer of employment with a driving record acceptable to the County Driving Policy and insurance program.· Must complete Animal Control Officer Certification FACA Level 1, euthanasia training, and bite stick training within eighteen (18) months of hire as a condition of employment.· Must be able to maintain ACO Certification through State mandated continuing education.**KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:**· Knowledge of County and State animal control regulations.· Knowledge of humane methods of handling animals.· Knowledge of the road networks of the county.· Knowledge of the operation of a two-way radio.· Knowledge of technical writing ability sufficient to prepare executable legal documents with accuracy and attention to detail.· Must be able to comprehend, speak, and read the English language.· Knowledge of project management and organizational skills.· Ability to have excellent oral and written communication skills.· Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.· Ability to operate various traps and equipment associated with Animal Control.· Ability to read and understand the constitution, laws, regulations, and legal proceedings.· Ability to provide prompt, efficient and responsive service.· Ability to maintain your composure when dealing with extreme animal abuse and animal cruelty matters.· Ability to communicate tactfully and courteously with the public in confrontational and stressful situations in person and by phone.· Ability to maintain good interpersonal and communication skills while dealing with the public.· Ability to work and maintain reliable full-time attendance.· Ability to elicit from and explain information effectively and accurately to a wide variety of callers including the public and law enforcement officials.· Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in stressful situations, which requires a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.· Ability to enforce laws and ordinances with firmness and impartiality.· Ability to accurately document multiple or emergency message under pressure.· Ability to investigate complaints, interview witnesses, and prepare a basic case file for legal presentation.**PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:**Work is primarily performed outdoors and requires moderate exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, fumes or airborne particles; dangerous animals, toxic and caustic chemicals, heights and/or dust. This position requires some exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, etc.). This position may require the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and may include completing and successfully passing medical evaluations or clearances. This position requires stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, visual acuity (i.e. seeing up close, seeing far away, depth perception), kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, climbing, finger movement, repetitive motions. This position requires dealing with animals, alive or dead, capturing, restraining, handling, lifting up to 100 lbs. and carrying up to 100lbs.**SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS**May be subject to emergency management situations and answering emergency calls that may require working afterhours, weekends and holidays. **WORK LOCATION:****Not Eligible for Remote Work -** This position is assigned to a county worksite. Due to the non-portable nature of the essential functions of this position, this position is not eligible for telework.**Employer:**BOCC Bay County Board of County Commissioners**Address:**Human Resources Department840 W. 11th StreetPanama City, Florida, 32401**Phone:**850-248-8201**Website**Bay County is an Equal OpportunityEmployer and does not discriminate basedon race, color, religion, sex (includinggender identity and pregnancy), nationalorigin, age, disability, genetic information,sexual orientation, or parental status.\\*Salary/Hourly wages are determined by verifiable experience.