Animal Control Officer- Police Department

City of Port St. Lucie, FL - Port Saint Lucie, FL

Full-time

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The City of Port St. Lucie is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce animal control regulations and ensure public safety regarding stray and unwanted animals. This position is essential and requires reporting to duty during civil emergencies. The role involves fieldwork, including humane capture and confinement of animals, conducting investigations into animal cruelty, and responding to public complaints. The officer will work 10-hour shifts, which may include weekends and holidays, and is subject to call-outs.

Responsibilities

• Keeps the mission, vision and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and Animal Control Division at the forefront of decision making and action.
• Builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others to build confidence and trust.
• Provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives.
• Maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Humanely captures and confines unrestrained domestic animals, nuisance wildlife, reptiles, exotic and indigenous animals that pose safety concerns.
• Conducts investigations into cruelty to animals.
• Actively patrols City streets for unrestrained animals.
• Responds to complaints and other calls for service, including investigating animal bites.
• Transports animals to appropriate shelter.
• Issues warnings and citations and testifies in court.
• Answers telephones, prepares reports, and performs routine clerical work.
• Accesses, inputs and retrieves information from a computer.
• Assists Police Department with removal of animals in residences when needed.
• Responds to call outs when scheduled.
• Ensures proper care and handling of animals at the Animal Control Compound.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma required.
• Ability to obtain an Animal Control Officer Certification within one year of date of hire required.
• Valid Florida Driver's License and maintenance of clean driving record required.
• Knowledge of State/County/City animal control regulations and animal care procedures.
• Knowledge of trapping, ensnaring, handling, transporting and caring for domestic and wild animals.
• Ability to distinguish between various breeds of animals for proper identification.
• Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.
• Ability to maintain sanitary conditions of kennels and vehicle.
• Ability to prepare written reports.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations.
• Ability to display compassion.
• Ability to read well and to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to maintain continuing education credits for Animal Control Officer certification.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment setting.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.