Animal Services Officer

Description

Enforces County Ordinances relating to animals. Investigates allegations of animal nuisance, animal bites, and animal cruelty. Handles, captures, and impounds all types of animals (domestic, wild, livestock, venomous and non-venomous reptiles, sick/injured, aggressive, and deceased). Performs dispatch duties on a rotating basis. Performs euthanasia on sick/injured wildlife as needed. Performs on-call duty for after-hours priority calls and natural disaster. Assists Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, and other agencies with animal issues such as house fires, drug raids, animal owner death/crime scenes, traffic accidents, livestock loose on roadways, etc. Prepares written reports, issues citations, and attends court on behalf of the County and state attorney.

**Salary will be determined depending on qualifications of candidates who exceed the minimum requirements as outlined within the job description.

**Additional compensation based on licensure.

Essential Functions

Note: 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.

Works an assigned area of the County and engages in the capture and impoundment of animals. Performs on-call duty for emergency calls after hours. Picks up carcasses of animals and disposes of them in the prescribed manner.

Serves as telephone operator and radio dispatcher for the purpose of transmitting, receiving and relaying information and instructions to field personnel.

Investigates animal bites and enforces animal quarantine laws. Investigates animal nuisance complaints and impounds such animals, which have been abandoned or are in violation of the Animal Control Ordinance. Issues warning citations and Notice to Appear citations to owners of animals in violation of the laws, rules, and regulations established by the State of Florida and/or Seminole County.

Additional Duties:
Must be available to work holidays, weekends, and during emergency response operations.

Required to be on call and available to respond after hours, as necessary, when responsible for pager duty.

Acts as a witness or plaintiff on behalf of the County, as necessary. Prepares various written reports, as required.

In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of high school/GED and 1 year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must successfully complete the Florida Animal Control Officer Certification Course within one (1) year of employment.

Must successfully complete the 16-Hour Euthanasia Certification Course within six (6) months of employment.

A comparable amount of education, training, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Additional Requirements

Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding animal control. Knowledge of techniques utilized in the safe capture of all animal species.

Knowledge of the geographical road system of Seminole County.

Ability to establish and maintain good relations with the general public. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Skilled in handling all species of animals that may be vicious or dangerous without injury to self, others, or animals.

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License.

Must be inoculated against rabies prior to completion of probationary period. Must successfully complete the Florida Animal Control Officer Certification Course within one (1) year of employment.

All employees must attend Seminole County Required Trainings.

Department Specific trainings per position may be required.