Animal Enforcement Officer

Brevard County Sheriff's Office; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is seeking an Animal Control Officer to work in the field under general supervision. Duties include responding to animal-related complaints, enforcing ordinances, and handling the transport and care of animals.

The role requires independence, physical fitness, and the ability to manage stressful situations in a county environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 6 months of customer service experience.
• Prior law enforcement or military experience preferred.
• Experience handling animals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond to complaints concerning animals at large and enforce county ordinances.
• Investigate alleged animal bites, quarrantine animals and check rabies vaccinations.
• Handle, transport and care for dogs, cats and ferrets; impound as needed.
• Prepare investigative reports that may be used as evidence; testify in court when required.
• Provide emergency first aid to animals and perform euthanization or rabies sample decapitations when needed.

Skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Under general supervision, performs protective service work in the field, enforcing laws and ordinances relating to animal control. Work includes interacting with the general public, enforcing laws and apprehending and impounding animals. Requires independent judgement and discretion. The tasks below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Responds to complaints concerning animals at large, cruelty to animals, injured animals, animals creating a nuisance and animal attacks on humans and other animals.
• Investigates alleged animal bites to humans or domestic animals, including checking for current rabies vaccinations and County registration, quarantining animals, ascertaining rabies symptoms or potential symptoms and releasing animals from quarantine.
• Handles animals that are in violation of County ordinances, which are often dangerous, vicious and/or wild, and impounds them as necessary.
• Issues warnings and citations to owners of animals in violation of County ordinances and testifies to those citations in County Court. Additionally, may be required to testify in criminal proceedings.
• Handles, transports and cares for injured and healthy dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• Provides emergency first aid to animals prior to veterinary examination. Performs euthanization of animals, as required, and performs decapitations for rabies examination.
• Prepares investigative reports that may be introduced as legal evidence.
• Sets and services animal traps in the field and removes captured animals for relocation or transport to holding facilities.
• Drives animal transport vehicles, winch truck and pickup trucks while patrolling assigned areas of the County.
• Interacts routinely with citizens concerning animal problems, often under stressful conditions.
• Maintains County animal transport vehicles, ensuring cleanliness and adequate supplies.
• Determines what order calls will be responded to and when a call should be referred to a supervisor.
• Performs related work as required.
• Dependable and punctual attendance is an essential function of this job.

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a GED.

A minimum of six (6) month of customer service experience to include dealing with customer complaints and resolving issues.

Additional qualifying education which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted for the required experience on a year for year basis.

Prior law enforcement or military experience is preferred.

Experience handling animals is preferred.

Requires a valid Florida Class Driver's License (must be maintained for duration of employment).

Due to the physical demands of this position, candidates must be able to physically control highly active/aggressive animals, potentially weighing in excess of 80 pounds, using available equipment. Ability to hear, good visual acuity, walk, run, stand, bend, stretch, kneel, stoop, reach and climb frequently.

• Skill in the operation of motor vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. Essentials for this requirement shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
  • Ability to sit in a standard car seat.
  • Ability to use the right foot for operation of the gas pedal.
  • Ability to use the right foot for operation of the brake pedal.
  • Ability to use column gear shift.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License (class E minimum)
  • Ability to utilize standard vehicle safety equipment; ability to use mirrors for safe vehicle operation.
  • Ability to properly identify colors utilize in descriptions.

• Must have and maintain a telephone.
• This class is subject to weekend; holiday work and 24-hour call on a rotational basis.
• Must successfully complete a 40-hour minimum standard training course approved by the Florida Animal Control Association, per Florida Statue, Chapter 828, Section 27 within six (6) months of appointment.
• Must pass a psychological examination and pre-employment medical certification.
• In the event of a hurricane, major storm, natural or man made disaster that may threaten the area, the employee will be expected to work.
• Employees will have contact with inmates during the normal course of the work day.

Successful completion of a criminal background investigation including polygraph, psych evaluation, reference/employment/neighborhood checks. submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to assuming position and will be subject to return to duty, post-accident and/or random and reasonable suspicion drug tests while employed with BCSO.

This position requires successful completion of the Sheriff's Office pre-employment medical certification.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, and sexual orientation, national origin, age (over 40), disability or genetic information in employment practices. We encourage veterans, service members and their spouses and family members to apply for employment with this agency, qualified applicants will receive preference and priority in hiring decisions. ADA requires the Sheriff's Office to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Job applicants and current employees are invited to discuss ADA accommodations.

Position open until filled