Animal Services Officer I

Osceola County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Christopher A. Blackmon; Florida; Sur place; USD 32 000 - 52 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Osceola County Sheriff's Office seeks a dedicated Animal Control Officer to enforce animal control ordinances and state statutes. The role involves responding to animal-related calls, apprehending stray animals, and transporting them for care or court processing.

Candidates must hold a high school diploma or GED and have hands-on experience with animals. On-call duties, including evenings and weekends, are required; bilingual abilities are a plus.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of state and local animal control laws and ordinances.
• Experience with handling and transporting animals including dangerous species.
• Ability to prepare and file incident reports and court paperwork.

Responsabilités

• Explain ordinances to the public and advise on animal ownership responsibilities.
• Respond to calls, investigate animal-related complaints, and apprehend stray animals.
• Load, bait, and handle animal traps; transport animals to shelter or vet as needed.
• Prepare incident reports, court paperwork, and seize animals when necessary.
• Work on-call, evenings, and weekends as required.

Connaissances

Animal handling

Customer service

Court documentation

Decision making

Formation

High school diploma or GED

Description du poste

General Description of Duties

Under direction, enforces local, state, and animal cruelty, control, nuisance and rabies laws in compliance with the County's Animal Control Ordinance & Florida State Statutes. Employee functions at journey level and is responsible for protecting the lives and welfare of the citizens and animals. Position is responsible for the apprehension of stray and trapped animals. Performs related tasks as necessary.

Essential Job Functions

• Explains Animal Control Ordinance to the general public; advises citizens on the responsibility of animal ownership.
• Responds to calls and investigates complaints of injured or nuisance, domestic and wild animals which may pose a threat to the public.
• Loads, delivers, sets and baits animal traps; removes captured animals from traps set by the County and citizens; apprehends stray animals; rescues trapped animals from public areas such as, culverts, and roadways.
• Investigates cruelty complaints to determine compliance with animal control ordinances and statutes; seizes animals, transports animals to vet for evaluation and/or treatment, provides owner with Notification of Impoundment, transports animals to the shelter until court date; serves owner with citations for violations.
• Obtains necessary information in cases of animal bites and court related matters, both civil and criminal that is forwarded to the County Attorney for possible prosecution; appears in court for cases, including citations and criminal prosecution; prepares court paperwork.
• Interviews citizens and files domestic or wild animal bites report; maintains field notes and information to complete incident reports on cases to be processed and sent to court to back up citations; completes reports on animal bites.
• Prepares various daily and periodic written reports and departmental forms; maintains logs; completes forms.
• Prepares all necessary paperwork for each incident; documents scenes, completes a written report and documents evidence seized in the case.
• Must be able to be on call and work evenings and weekends.
• Issues citations for violations of animal control ordinances and statues.
• Must perform euthanasia after completing certification course.
• May assist Kennel Staff as needed.
• Embraces a "one team" approach to accomplish daily tasks, goals and projects by interacting, cooperating, assisting, training and learning from volunteers.
• Performs duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical in assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: One (1) year previous work experience in an animal control/services organization or animal veterinary clinic in a capacity requiring regular hands-on experience with animals including dogs, cats, and/or livestock.

Miscellaneous

• Must reside within 25 miles of Osceola County and be able to respond when on-call.
• Must be inoculated against rabies upon hire.
• Must successfully complete Euthanasia and Animal Control Officer Certification within one (1) year of hire.
• Animal Control certification; Law enforcement experience; Euthanasia certification preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish a plus.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable state, federal and local laws, rules, ordinances and regulatory standards applicable to the work; knowledge of the Osceola County Animal Control Ordinance and State Statutes; ability to interpret regulations to the general public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Knowledge of proper care, feeding and handling of various types of domestic and exotic animals, livestock and wildlife.
• Skill in the safe use and proper utilization of animal capture and restraint tools, equipment, traps, and devices; ability to apprehend animals in the field, including very large, dangerous, or rabid animals and livestock.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of species of domestic and exotic animals, livestock and wildlife, and their habits and typically presented diseases and the symptoms.
• Knowledge of the geographic areas of the County.
• Ability to operate animal control vehicles; ability to pull various types of trailers.
• Ability to communicate by radio with 10 codes and signals.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of customer service skills; ability to deal diplomatically with sensitive circumstances.
• Ability to render quick, responsible decision making, under stressful and emotional circumstances.
• Ability to operate emergency multi-line communications systems.
• Ability to operate basic office equipment, e.g., computer terminals, printers, copy machines, telephone systems, facsimile machines.
• Ability to read, update and maintain various records and files; ability to access, operate and maintain various software applications.
• Skill in clearly communicating information both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with County personnel, government agencies, law enforcement, volunteers, civic groups, and the general public.

Physical Demand Requirements

Physical Demand: Heavy

• 100 pounds maximum lifting.
• Frequent (up to 2/3 of the work time) lifting, carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
• Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
• Physical demand requirements are in excess of medium work.
• Physical agility is required in kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.

Employee Benefits

• Welcome to a workplace that values you. Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit your needs and the needs of your family.
• Join us in making a difference in our community, knowing we’re here to support you every step of the way.
• Group Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost to the employee. In addition, the County contributes 83% to the dependent(s) premium coverage.
• Deductions Per Paycheck - HRA Base Plan
• Coverage
• Employee
• Employee + 1
• Family
• Health-HRA Base
• $0.00
• $140.89
• $219.17
• HRA Buy-Up
• $40.60
• $188.28
• $292.88
• Dental Base
• $0.00
• $13.10
• $24.12
• Dental Buy-Up
• $3.45
• $19.82
• $33.61
• Vision
• $3.42
• $6.84
• $9.15
• Short-Term Disability
• $0.00
• N/A
• N/A
• Long-Term Disability
• $0.00
• N/A
• N/A
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• At no cost to the employee. The County offers Short-Term and Long-Term Disability at 60% of the employee’s weekly base salary. The employee has the option to purchase an additional 10% coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• EAP provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family members at no cost.
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Wellness Program promotes a variety of activities to encourage total well-being including physical, emotional, and financial health. Rewards can be earned.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement
• Gym Membership Reimbursement, up to $20.00 per month.
• Basic Life Insurance Policy
• At no cost to the employee, equal to one time the employee’s annual salary, rounded to the next thousand dollars. Employees can opt to buy additional Life Insurance.
• Employee Health Center
• The County provides a private health center for County Employees and eligible dependents. The Employee Health Center offers an array of primary care services, including sick visits, enhanced by x-ray services, pulmonary tests, lab work, and a dispensary offering over 200 generic medications onsite. Services at the Health Center are offered at no cost to the employees and their eligible dependents.
• Employees who are enrolled on the County’s Medical plan have access to the Employee Health Center on day one of employment. The Health Center is available to patients 8 years of age and older.

Paid Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Thanksgiving - Day After
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

Administrative Leave

40 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year for Exempt employees.

Sick Leave Bank

Available to employees experiencing a catastrophic medical related event, with up to 240 hours per fiscal year. Enrollment required.

Vacation/Sick Leave Buy-Back Program

Eligible employees may sell back up to eighty (80) hours of accrued leave per fiscal year. (This program is subject to availability of funds and may be amended or terminated at any time without notice.)

Paid Bereavement Leave

Up to five (5) working days off.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $1,600 per Fiscal Year, for degree seeking employees. Degree must be related to employee’s current position.

Membership in the Florida Retirement System

The County is a Florida Retirement System Employer! For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, County contribution for Regular Class members is 13.59%, subject to a mandatory 3% employee contribution. Rates and Contributions are set by Florida Legislation.

A 457b Deferred Compensation Program

A 457b Deferred Compensation Program is also available to help employees boost their retirement saving goals, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as IRA plan options. Employee sponsored.

Employee Recognition Program

We see your hard work, and we celebrate it! Through our Employee Appreciation Committee and the "You've Been Caught Doing Good" program, we recognize outstanding performance or accomplishments with prizes including monetary rewards and merchandise.