Animal Control Officer

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Responsible for functions in the field and office-based assignments. Responsible for enforcement of ordinances governing the care and keeping of domestic animals and livestock to maintain public safety and welfare. Responsible for responding to service calls and providing professional customer service, capturing and transporting stray, vicious, and/or diseased domestic animals to the animal shelter, issuing citations, performing criminal investigations, case preparation, and testifying in court as necessary. Responsible for impounded animals, and performs technical and clerical duties in support of the kennel and field operations. Responds within 60 minutes of dispatch to call-outs for emergency animal assistance and disaster relief.

Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Receives complaints of dogs, cats, or other animals, creating nuisances and notifies the proper Animal Services (AS) staff for investigation or refers the complainant to the appropriate entity. Assists the public in resolving problems and answers questions relating to animal control, Sumter County Ordinances, and state law; enforces ordinances, rules, regulations, and laws.
• Works closely with law enforcement, Health Department, rescue organizations, Fish and Wildlife Commission, other governmental agencies, City and County agencies, and veterinarians. Assists law enforcement personnel in situations involving animals as requested.
• Captures and transports stray, sick, injured, or potentially rabid domestic animals to the kennel for appropriate processing, care and treatment, and quarantine if necessary. Issues notice of citation for violations of ordinances governing the care and keeping of animals.
• Conducts investigations, performs follow-up as needed, Investigates reports of animal neglect and abuse, and assists law enforcement with any potential criminal infractions of animal laws. Prepares records, reports, files, and notes to document potential violations for case presentation. Appears in court hearings to submit documents, evidence, affidavits, and case summaries for the enforcement and potential prosecution of civil/criminal infractions of animal laws.
• Maintains and sanitizes equipment used, including vehicle assigned. In addition, maintains accurate records of daily work activities on Animal Services software.
• Patrols areas of the County on foot or in assigned vehicles to detect violations of laws and ordinances about animal control.
• Receives and processes domestic animals and livestock brought to the kennel for impoundment or possession release; redeems animals to proper owners; processes unclaimed animals for adoption partner; assists members of the public searching for lost animals or seeking to adopt animals.
• Assists with administration of animal medications as directed by a licensed veterinarian, Administers tests that are allowable without a veterinary license; scans for microchips; properly handles controlled substances used for euthanasia.
• Euthanizes sick and/or dangerous animals in the field according to procedures and assists others with animal euthanasia as needed.
• Administers chemical immobilization procedures in the capture of animals as directed.
• Performs specialized and technical clerical and record-keeping work using departmental software systems.
• In case of emergency or crises (hurricane, flood, etc.), the position is required to respond/perform emergency and recovery duties as assigned.
• Performs duties as required to control emergencies related to animal control ordinances and statutes; schedules include regular 24-hour/day, 7-day/week, 365-day/year on-call rotation, and ensures a response time within 60 minutes of dispatch.
• May be assigned to clean, sanitize, and disinfect kennels and cages, including food bowls and litter pans, sweeping and using a high-pressure water hose to clean floors and walls using chemical disinfectants.
• May be assigned to run a playgroup for animals at the shelter.
• Maintains regular physical attendance during normal work hours as assigned at one of the County’s offices or work facilities.
  
  

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related marginal duties as required.)

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of State and County animal control ordinances, regulations, animal care procedures, and policies of the Division and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
• Knowledge of chemical capture, trapping, snaring, handling, transporting, and caring for animals and sufficient knowledge to distinguish between various breeds of animals for proper identification.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and animal diseases sufficient to recognize normal and abnormal behavior in domestic and wild animals.
• Ability to use a computer.
• Ability to work alone or with others and establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the public, co-workers, members of law enforcement, elected and appointed officials, and members of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to deal with, educate the public, and enforce laws impartially, firmly, and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain sanitary conditions of kennels, vehicles, and equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare written reports.
• Ability to interpret or use various instructions, legal or public rights terminology and language, animal behavior, and animal diseases.
• Ability to offer accurate testimony in court proceedings, civil actions, and before hearing officers.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.
• Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using machinery and equipment.
• Ability to deal with people and animals under stress.
• Ability to respond to the shelter for after-hours and weekend calls within sixty (60) minutes.
• Experience operating a pickup truck and trailer towing and maneuvering.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• One (1) year of related training or experience in handling, trapping, snaring, transporting, and caring for domestic animals and livestock.
  
  

Licenses, Certifications, Or Registrations

• Valid Florida Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to the insurance provider.
• Must possess and maintain certification as a Certified Animal Control Officer or obtain certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Must possess and maintain certification as a Euthanasia Technician or obtain certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Must possess and maintain certification for Chemical Immobilization or obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must possess and maintain certification for Bite Stick or obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must possess and maintain certification for Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray or obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must possess or obtain the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications within six (6) months of employment.