Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!! The Animal Care and Protective Services Department is actively seeking an Animal Services Officer. Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is technical work in enforcing animal care and control laws, involving the apprehension of stray, free roaming, injured, and diseased animals; investigation of animal cruelty complaints; issuance of warning notices and citations; educating the public; and performance of clerical related duties. Work requires knowledge of the applicable laws, techniques, methods, and procedures used in animal code enforcement, animal capture, restraint, and care which involve the use of specialized skills and equipment, which are learned on the job or through specialized training. Work schedule involves weekend, subject to on-call and call-out assignments, and/or rotating shifts. Contacts with others require skills in understanding and influencing people and are important in providing services. Skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to others point of view are often required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around. The work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by procedures or precedents, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate technique, method, or procedure to follow. The work involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in search for solutions or new applications within ones' known experiences. Work is performed primarily in the field and limited office environments, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of vicious, ill, infectious, and rabid animals but the hazards are known, somewhat predictable and mostly controllable. Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment. Operates a motor vehicle. The physical demands consist of operating a vehicle sitting, walking, standing, running, climbing, bending, reaching, and sometimes lifting objects weighing more than 50 pounds. The work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied and, although subject to standard practices and procedures, the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to supervisor's approval.

Examples of Work

• Trains and guides new employees.
• Enforces city ordinances and state statutes pertaining to animal care and control laws.
• Responds to and resolves complaints from the public relating to animal care and control.
• Captures, detains, controls, and transports stray, dangerous, injured, or dead animals, including animals involved in bite incidents and suspected of having rabies or other contagious or infectious diseases.
• Educates community members on city ordinances, state statutes, and pet retention, reunification, and pet owner support strategies.
• Educates and communicates with neighborhood groups and organizations.
• Supports shelter operations during events and on holidays.
• Performs basic animal care including but not limited to vaccinations, medications, and other medical care under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Investigates animal cruelty complaints.
• Issues warning notices and civil citations.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports using a computer.
• Collects evidence, including photographs for court process and acts as witness or plaintiff on behalf of the City.
• Performs euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Reports to work location during emergency circumstances such as actual and anticipated natural and man-made disasters.
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database, and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment.
• Operates a motor vehicle.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the applicable laws, techniques, methods, and procedures used in animal code enforcement, animal capture, restraint, and care.
• Knowledge of geographical area of Duval County.
• Knowledge of Florida State Statutes and City ordinances relating to animal care and control.
• Skills in apprehending animals, including animals of a vicious nature.
• Ability to remain calm in unusual and difficult situations.
• Ability to respond to and resolve complaints relating to animal care and control.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports using a computer.
• Ability to compute arithmetic calculations of whole numbers and decimals.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret state and local animal laws and regulations.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to perform euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to apprehend, restrain and lift large and sometimes dangerous animals weighing 50 pounds or more onto a truck using animal control equipment.

Open Requirements/Supplemental Information

• Two (2) years of education and/or experience in enforcement of animal care and control laws; compliance inspections or enforcement activities relating to laws, or other local, state, or federal code violations; or customer complaint and resolution;

• Or be certified through any state or national animal control association

• And have at least one year of experience working in an animal related field.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION :

• Florida Animal Control Officer Certification must be obtained within twelve months and must be maintained during employment in this class. Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained prior to completion of probation and must be maintained.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license during employment in this class.

• Must qualify for, obtain, and maintain a City of Jacksonville public driver certification for employment in this class.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS :

• The probationary period for this class is twelve months.

• This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville's Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).

• ACPS is part of the City of Jacksonville's emergency response operations. When pet friendly emergency shelters are open, all full-time employees are required to report and carry out duties as assigned for the duration of the emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

Benefits

The City of Jacksonville provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents; a 457(b) tax-deferred compensation plan to supplement your retirement, and a ROTH IRA plan. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes a health intervention program if qualified, lunch and learns, health fairs, and discounted gym memberships. Please visit the Employee Benefits website for details on all the plans we offer.