Animal Services Officer I-II DOQ

Manatee County Government; Bradenton (FL); On-site; USD 55,926,000 - 78,512,000; Full time

Job summary

Manatee County Government seeks an Animal Services Officer II to enforce animal control laws, respond to complaints, and oversee impound and reporting duties. The role involves courtroom testimony, training, and outreach activities to promote humane animal welfare.

A valid Florida driver’s license and certification are required, with on-call duties after hours. Responsibilities include working with the public to ensure compliance, supervising cases when needed, and maintaining detailed records

Qualifications

• High school graduate/equivalent.
• Must complete Florida Animal Control Officer certification within one year of employment.
• Valid driver's license with Florida license within 30 days of hire.
• Minimum two years’ experience as Animal Welfare Officer I.
• Florida Animal Control Association certification.

Responsibilities

• Enforce animal control laws and issue notices/citations.
• Respond to complaints and patrol areas to impound stray animals.
• Prepare bite reports, incident/impound reports, and court affidavits.
• Respond to emergency animal complaints during and after hours.
• Testify in County Civil Court as needed.
• Engage with public to promote humane animal welfare programs.

Skills

Animal handling

Report writing

Court testimony

Driving

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Florida Animal Control Officer certification

Tools

Ketch-All pole

Snappy Snare

Live animal traps

Job description

Work Location:

Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34209

Work Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with rotation of on-call to include nights, Saturday/Sunday, and holidays

Expected Starting Hourly Range:

$19.51 - $27.40

This classification is responsible for enforcing the laws of the State of Florida and Manatee County pertaining to animals. Employees in the classification will apprehend animals that do not comply with established animal laws and regulations and will issue civil citations to violators of animal control laws.

Employment screenings, as outlined in Section of the Personnel Policy, Rules, and Procedures Manual, will be conducted in compliance with applicable federal and Florida Laws.

Note: Position level and salary will be dependent on qualifications (DOQ).

Working Conditions:

The work environment may include exposure to high noise levels while performing certain responsibilities. The position requires the ability to lift and move animals and objects weighing up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with assistance, with or without reasonable accommodation. Work may involve strenuous physical activity under varying climatic conditions and in both indoor and outdoor environments. May encounter sick, injured and/or vicious animals while performing certain responsibilities and be required to safely handle those animals. Regularly required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job and regularly required to work other than normal business hours including an after-hours on-call rotation.

Essential Functions

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

All Levels

Performs tasks related to the enforcement of animal control laws; issues verbal and written courtesy notices of complaint to violators; issues civil citations to violators of animal control laws.

Responds to complaints and patrols specified areas to capture and impound stray animals including animals in violation of the animal control laws.

Makes dispositions of complaints or other calls relative to injured or deceased animals, unlicensed, stray animals, and nuisance animals.

Prepares animal bite reports and related records, complete incident/impound reports, cruelty investigations, and probable cause affidavits.

Responds to emergency animal complaints during and after normal work hours.

Inspects vehicles and equipment to ensure proper and safe working order.

Animal Services Officer II

May be required to serve on a rotating basis as the Animal Welfare Supervisor during the supervisor's absence.

May be required to serve as the training officer as needed.

As a senior officer, may have seniority authority when working with, or overseeing cases with an Animal Welfare Officer 1.

Must attend advanced investigation and/or certification training as deemed necessary by management including but not limited to, court room preparation, animal cruelty training, dangerous dog declaration, and the FEMA IC series 100, 200, 700 and 800.

Applies working knowledge of the County Animal Ordinances, and State Statutes related to the enforcement of animal control laws; issues verbal and written courtesy notices of complaint to violators; issues civil citations to violators of animal control laws.

Works with the public to encourage and facilitate voluntary compliance of violations and fosters positive relationships with the public to best promote humane animal welfare programs and reinforce citizen responsibility, care and assistance for those citizens and animals in need.

Leads community follow up protocols for the retention and return of owned animals including license/tag reviews, micro-chip tracing and interfacing with the community through the use of social and other media platforms, phone calls and face to face contact.

Provides testimony in County Civil Court at hearings and trials and maintains clear and open communication with the County Attorney’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office on all pertinent investigative matters.

Participates in outreach activities and programs to educate the public, county staff and other partnering agencies and attends civic neighborhood and community meetings during and outside of regular working hours.

Strictly adheres to safety protocols to protect self, co-workers, the public, and the animals in their care.

Attends job specific training classes, conferences and seminars as assigned by supervisor.

Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee’s qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law.

All Levels

High school graduate/equivalent.

Must successfully complete the Florida Animal Control Officer certification training course within one (1) year of employment.

Valid driver's license with valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire.

Animal Services Officer II

Minimum of two years’ experience as an Animal Welfare Officer I.

Florida Animal Control Association certification.

Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.

Prior experience in animal handling and/or law enforcement desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, Manatee County roads and street addresses.

Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, State of Florida and Manatee County laws, rules and regulations pertaining to animals.

Knowledge of practices/procedures in the safe handling of all types of animals under varying conditions.

Ability to maintain courteous and effective relationships with co-workers and the public.

Ability to prepare and maintain all reports and records relative to the position.

Ability to pick up and handle animals, alive and deceased, up to and over 100 pounds, with assistance when needed.

Ability to capture and control vicious and dangerous animals.

Ability to handle and restrain large and small animals.

Ability to write clear, concise, and detailed reports including courtesy notices and civil citations.

Ability to keep a neat and clean appearance to maintain a professional public image.

Ability to appear and testify in court for violations of the Manatee County Ordinance and Florida State Statutes.

Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all conditions.

Ability to investigate all animal related complaints and follow up complaints as necessary.

Ability to receive and follow work assignments both orally and in writing.

Skill to effectively use all animal capture equipment issued including, but not limited to, Ketch-All pole, Snappy Snare, and live animal traps.

Skill in the safe and efficient operation of assigned Animal Services vehicles, including those with animal carriers attached to the rear.

Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions, to organize own work and to complete routine tasks within the assigned guidelines.

Ability to independently resolve routine situations and problems.

General knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.

Good written and verbal communication skills and the interpersonal skills necessary to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, and the public, and the ability to explain facts, policies and practices using tact and diplomacy in situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens.

May be assigned other divisional duties including but not limited to shelter care and assistance, medical and administration.

The safe and efficient operation of assigned Animal Services vehicles, including the care of any animals in transport at any time.