Animal Control Officer

The Animal Control Officer is responsible for enforcing animal-related county ordinances, responding to complaints involving domestic, exotic, and wild animals, and ensuring the safety and well-being of both the public and animals. Key duties include investigating animal bites, cruelty, and nuisance complaints; capturing and transporting dangerous or injured animals; issuing citations; providing emergency animal care; and preparing reports for legal proceedings.

This position requires frequent interaction with the public, often in stressful situations, and involves handling potentially dangerous animals. The role also includes on-call emergency response, maintenance of transport vehicles, and occasional assistance with kennel duties. Reliable and prompt attendance is essential, along with the ability to perform a wide range of related tasks as assigned.

• Education – High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Experience – One (1) year related experience
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.
• Valid Driver License
• Certifications:
• Must obtain Animal Control Officer Certification within six (6) months of hire
• Must obtain Florida Euthanasia Certification within six (6) months of hire
• Must receive Inmate Work Program Training within six (6) months of hire
• Preferred – Experience handling animals

• Education – High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Experience – Two (2) years related experience
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.
• Valid Driver License
• Certifications:
• Animal Control Officer Certification
• Florida Euthanasia Certification
• Must receive Inmate Work Program Training within six (6) months of hire

• This list of functions, duties, responsibilities, skills, and physical abilities is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as deemed necessary.
• Responds to complaints concerning animals at large, cruelty to animals, injured animals, animals creating a nuisance, and animal attacks on humans and other animals. Responds to complaints that involve livestock, exotic animals and domestic animals.
• Investigates alleged animal bites to humans or domestic animals, including checking for current rabies vaccinations, quarantining animals, ascertaining rabies symptoms or potential symptoms and releasing animals from quarantine.
• Assumes on-call emergency responsibilities and responds to injured/sick animal or bite complaints.
• Handles animals that are in violation of County ordinances, which are often dangerous, vicious and/or wild, and impounds them as necessary.
• Issues warnings and citations to owners of animals in violation of County ordinances and testifies to those citations in County Court. Additionally, may be required to testify in criminal proceedings.
• Handles, transports and cares for injured and healthy reptiles, including, poisonous snakes, alligators and exotic reptiles. Handles, transports and cares for injured and healthy mammals, including felines and mustelids (e.g.: badgers, ferrets, skunks, otters, weasels).
• Provides emergency first aid to animals prior to veterinary examination.
• Performs euthanization of animals, as required, and performs decapitations for rabies examination.
• Picks up and transports injured wildlife to rehabilitation centers.
• Prepares investigative reports that may be introduced as legal evidence.
• Sets and services animal traps in the field and removes captured animals for relocation or transport to holding facilities.
• Drives animal transport vehicles, trucks and pickup trucks while patrolling…