Animal Control Officer

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners•Tampa, FL

13d•$39,811 - $52,749

About The Position

Performs patrol, investigative, and enforcement duties pertaining to County and State animal ordinances and laws. The role includes responding to animal-related complaints, assessing and impounding animals, issuing notices and citations, maintaining records, and supporting emergency management operations. Employees may be required to respond to duties before, during, or after an emergency or disaster as assigned by their department, the County’s Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. The position involves outdoor work in adverse weather and may require entering structures with hazardous atmospheres or dangerous environmental conditions, conducting decontamination procedures, and handling dangerous or suspected rabid animals. Successful completion of an agency-defined training program, a 40-hour Animal Control Officer certification course, a 4-hour pepper spray course, a 4-hour bite stick training course, and a Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) Euthanasia Certification is required within six months of the probationary period. The probationary period may be extended by the Appointing Authority.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED certificate.
Six months of experience in law enforcement, code enforcement, or animal handling, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience providing the required job-related competencies.
Valid Florida Driver’s License.
Knowledge of Florida and Hillsborough County animal control ordinances and laws, humane animal care and treatment, animal diseases and health requirements, county geography and road networks, and operation and maintenance of assigned vehicle and two-way radio.
Skill in decision-making regarding animal law violations, use of animal handling equipment, and humane handling of animals, including dangerous or suspected rabid animals.
Ability to properly use and wear personal protective equipment and respiratory protection based on conditions during animal rescue or removal operations.
Ability to read and understand job-related material, work under stressful conditions, follow oral or written instructions, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and work effectively with others.
Ability to operate a large vehicle with blind spots; read a road map or mapping system on a phone or laptop; perform duties with minimal supervision; and use a computer and related software.
Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to occasionally sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; required vision includes close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
Complete an agency-defined training program, a 40-hour Animal Control Officer certification course, a 4-hour pepper spray course, a 4-hour bite stick training course, and FACA Euthanasia Certification within six months of the probationary period.

Responsibilities

Patrol assigned areas in a transport vehicle to enforce animal laws.
Respond to and investigate complaints involving animal bites, dangerous animals, animal cruelty, and animal nuisances.
Assist in resolving neighborhood animal ownership disputes.
Enter domiciles and other structures, which may have hazardous atmospheres or dangerous environmental conditions.
Conduct decontamination procedures during animal rescue or removal operations.
Impound animals found in violation of County or State animal ordinances and laws.
Initially assess animals to determine whether medical evaluation or isolation is needed.
Issue warnings and legal notices to owners or possessors of small animals for violations of State or County laws and ordinances.
Write official citations and provide testimony in court.
Record, retrieve, and verify animal impoundment information using a computer terminal.
Receive and respond to citizen complaint calls and enter information into a database.
Write and maintain reports and records related to animal control activities.
Clean and maintain assigned vehicle and equipment.
Support mandated ESF-17 responsibilities during disasters or activation of the County Emergency Operations Center.
Perform other related duties as required.