Animal Control Officer

Job Description

Job Overview

Performs patrol, investigative and enforcement duties pertaining to County and State animal ordinances and laws.

Salary

Min $39,811.20 annually

Mid $52,748.80 annually

Benefits

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• Generous PTO & Holiday Plan
• Health Plans
• Health Savings Account
• Dental & Vision Plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Cafeteria Benefit
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance

Core Competencies

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities


Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described below.

• Patrols assigned areas, driving a transport vehicle to enforce laws pertaining to animals.
• Responds to and investigates complaints of animal bites, dangerous animals, animal cruelty and animal nuisances.
• Assists in the resolution of neighborhood animal ownership disputes.
• Enter domiciles, facilities, homes, trailers, mobile homes, abandoned property and other types of structures, which may contain hazardous atmospheres or dangerous environmental conditions.
• Conduct decontamination procedures during animal rescue or removal operations.
• Impounds animals found in violation of county or state animal ordinances and laws.
• Makes initial assessment of animals to determine the need for a medical evaluation and/or isolation requirements.
• Issues warning and legal notices to owners or possessors of small animals for violations of State or County laws and ordinances.
• Writes official citations and appears in court to provide testimony.
• Records, retrieves and verifies animal impoundment information using a computer terminal.
• Receives and responds to citizen's complaint calls and enters information into data base.
• Writes and maintains reports and records relating to animal control activities.
• Cleans and maintains assigned vehicle and equipment.
• Supports the department in mandated ESF-17 (Emergency Support Function 17) responsibilities in the event of a disaster or during an activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of Florida and Hillsborough County animal control ordinances and laws.
• Knowledge of care and humane treatment of animals.
• Knowledge of animal diseases and health requirements.
• Knowledge of county geography and road networks.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of assigned vehicle and two-way radio.
• Skill in decision making relative to animal law violations.
• Skill in the use of animal handling equipment.
• Skill in the humane handling of animals including specialized handling of dangerous or suspected rabid animals.
• Ability to properly use and wear personal protective equipment during animal rescue or removal operations.
• Ability to properly use and wear respiratory protection based on atmospheric conditions and environmental hazards during animal rescue or removal operations.
• Ability to read and understand job related material.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to follow oral or written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to operate a large vehicle with blind spots.
• Ability to read a road map, or mapping system on a phone or a laptop.
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.

Physical Requirements

• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Category

• Heavy Work - Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; AND
• Six months of experience in law enforcement, code enforcement or animal handling; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.

Emergency Management Responsibilities

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee's department, the County's Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Additional Job Requirements

Successful completion of a training program as defined by the agency, 40hour Animal Control Officer certification course, a 4hour pepper spray course, a 4hour bite stick training course, and a Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) Euthanasia Certification within six months of the probationary period. Probationary period may be extended by Appointing Authority.