Animal Services Officer I

Osceola County•Kissimmee, FL

20h

About The Position

Under direction, enforces local, state, and animal cruelty, control, nuisance, and rabies laws in compliance with the County's Animal Control Ordinance and Florida State Statutes. This journey-level position protects the lives and welfare of citizens and animals and is responsible for apprehending stray and trapped animals. The position may also perform related tasks as necessary. The officer explains animal control requirements to the public, responds to complaints involving injured or nuisance domestic and wild animals, investigates cruelty complaints, and takes enforcement action when appropriate. Work includes capturing, rescuing, transporting, and caring for animals; preparing incident documentation and court paperwork; issuing citations; and appearing in court. The officer must be available for on-call work, including evenings and weekends, and must perform euthanasia after completing the required certification course. The officer may assist kennel staff and works cooperatively with volunteers and others as part of a team.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One year of previous work experience in an animal control/services organization or veterinary clinic, with regular hands-on experience with animals such as dogs, cats, and/or livestock.
Must reside within 25 miles of Osceola County and be able to respond while on call.
Must be inoculated against rabies upon hire.
Must successfully complete Euthanasia and Animal Control Officer Certification within one year of hire.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license.
Knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local laws, rules, ordinances, and regulatory standards, including the Osceola County Animal Control Ordinance and State Statutes.
Knowledge of proper care, feeding, and handling of domestic and exotic animals, livestock, and wildlife.
Skill in safe use of animal-capture and restraint tools, equipment, traps, and devices; ability to apprehend animals in the field, including large, dangerous, or rabid animals and livestock.
Knowledge of animal species, habits, diseases, and symptoms.
Knowledge of the geographic areas of the County.
Ability to operate animal control vehicles and pull various types of trailers.
Ability to communicate by radio using 10 codes and signals.
Customer-service skills and ability to deal diplomatically with sensitive circumstances.
Ability to make quick, responsible decisions under stressful and emotional circumstances.
Ability to operate emergency multi-line communications systems and basic office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, telephone systems, and fax machines.
Ability to read, update, and maintain records and files and use and maintain software applications.
Clear verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County personnel, government agencies, law enforcement, volunteers, civic groups, and the public.
Ability to meet heavy physical demands, including lifting up to 100 pounds and frequently lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; physical agility for kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching; good eyesight and hearing.

Nice To Haves

Animal Control certification.
Law enforcement experience.
Euthanasia certification.
Ability to communicate in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Explain the Animal Control Ordinance to the public and advise citizens about responsible animal ownership.
Respond to calls and investigate complaints involving injured or nuisance domestic and wild animals that may pose a public threat.
Load, deliver, set, and bait animal traps; remove captured animals from traps; apprehend strays; and rescue animals trapped in public areas.
Investigate animal cruelty complaints and determine compliance with ordinances and statutes.
Seize animals, transport them for veterinary evaluation or treatment, provide owners with notices of impoundment, transport animals to the shelter until court dates, and serve citations for violations.
Obtain information for animal-bite and court-related matters and forward relevant information to the County Attorney for possible prosecution.
Appear in court for citation and criminal prosecution cases and prepare court paperwork.
Interview citizens and file domestic or wild animal bite reports; maintain field notes and incident information; complete reports and other records.
Prepare incident paperwork, document scenes, and document evidence seized.
Issue citations for violations of animal control ordinances and statutes.
Perform euthanasia after completing the certification course.
Assist kennel staff as needed.
Work with volunteers by interacting, cooperating, assisting, training, and learning from them.
Perform other related or logically assigned duties.