Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer

Lee County is seeking a responsible, confident, and community-minded Animal Control Officer to join our Domestic Animal Services team. This is an active, field-based public-safety role for someone who enjoys problem-solving, investigation, and working with both people and animals.

As an Animal Control Officer, you'll respond to animal-related calls, enforce laws and ordinances, investigate complaints, and help protect the safety of residents and animals. This role requires sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to handle unpredictable situations.

If you are comfortable working independently, making decisions under pressure, and safely handling animals in a variety of conditions, this position may be a great fit.

Duties and Responsibilities

What You'll Do

This is a hands-on public-safety position involving investigation, enforcement, animal handling, and community education. Daily responsibilities include:

• Respond to calls involving stray, injured, aggressive, or dangerous animals
• Investigate animal bites, scratches, and other animal-related incidents
• Enforce Florida Statutes and County and City ordinances
• Issue warnings, citations, and summonses when appropriate
• Patrol assigned areas to identify violations of animal control laws
• Safely capture, restrain, trap, and transport domestic and wild animals
• Communicate professionally with residents, including during stressful situations
• Prepare detailed reports, logs, citations, and investigative documentation
• Maintain accurate records and case information
• Testify in court or at administrative hearings as needed
• Work cooperatively with law enforcement, emergency responders, veterinarians, and shelter staff
• Educate the public about responsible animal ownership and safety

Education, Experience, Licensing

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates will have:

• High school diploma or GED
• One (1) year of professional experience in animal control, animal handling, law enforcement, military service, code enforcement, emergency response, or a closely related public-safety field
• Valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record
• Ability to work outdoors in Southwest Florida weather conditions
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call emergency shifts
• Ability to safely handle animals that may be aggressive, frightened, injured, or dangerous
• Preferred experience includes animal control work, public-safety or enforcement roles, investigative experience, or professional animal handling.

Required Certifications (to be obtained within one year of hire):

• Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) Certified Animal Control Officer
• FACA Euthanasia Certification

Supplemental Information

Work Schedule:

• Regular Shift: 3:00 PM – 11:30 PM
• Rotating On-Call Shift: 11:30 PM – 8:00 AM
• Days off vary based on operational needs (Friday–Saturday or Sunday–Monday)
• Emergency or after-hours response is required.

Why Join Us?

As part of Lee County Domestic Animal Services, your work directly protects residents and animals while helping maintain a safer community. This is a meaningful, high-impact public-service role where no two days are the same.

Joining our team means:

• Stable full-time employment with local government
• Health and wellness benefits
• Retirement benefits through the State of Florida
• Paid training and professional development
• Opportunities to gain specialized skills in investigation, enforcement, and animal handling
• A role where sound judgment, independence, and compassion matter
• The chance to help reunite families with lost pets and support humane animal care

About the Department

Lee County Domestic Animal Services provides animal control, enforcement, sheltering, and community education throughout the county. Our team balances public safety with humane treatment, helping ensure a safe and compassionate environment for people and animals.

About Lee County

Lee County is located in beautiful Southwest Florida and is home to over 800,000 residents. We are dedicated to serving our community with high-quality services and a focus on sustainability and innovation. Join us in making Lee County a great place to live, work, and visit. Find out more about Lee County at Lee County Government.