Animal Control Officer I

Essential Functions * Enforces the provisions of federal, state, and local codes and ordinances providing for regulation, care, and registration of animals.

* Patrols County streets and responds to dispatched calls from citizens concerning animal control issues such as potential animal abuse, animal bites, stray/nuisance animals, wild/dangerous animals, and injured/dead animals.

* Organizes and prioritizes complaints; verifies vaccinations and licensing of animals; distributes and collects licenses from veterinarians.

* Attempts to keep the peace between complainants and animal owners; issues warnings and citations for violations of animal control laws and advises owners of their responsibilities; follows up as necessary.

* Tracks and traps/captures animals; assists with locating lost pets; may remove animals from roofs, trees, and under houses; impounds animals in violation of ordinances; assist with disaster animal response.

* Handles animals, restraining as appropriate; administers medical aid to injured animals; transports to animal shelter, veterinarian, or as otherwise directed; prepares and administers medications, vaccinations, and worming treatments.

* Assists in subduing feral animals; arranges quarantines with owners of animals for rabies observations; returns animals to owners after appropriate detainment or after having been found; decapitates and ships specimens to the state lab for rabies testing as necessary.

Investigates, collects evidence, establishes files, prepare and type investigative reports, and compiles animal control related cases; prepares for, attends, and testifies in courtroom hearings and judicial proceedings as necessary.

* Educates the public on responsibility of pet ownership, animal care techniques and procedures, laws and ordinances, and pet adoption; handles public inquiries concerning animal services and pet adoptions.

* Observes and evaluates animals' behavior, characteristics, and interaction with humans to assist with determining adoptability.

* Receives and records call information in Chameleon database; prioritizes requested field services and notifies Animal Control Officers via two-way radio to respond to requests for service; ensures information in the Chameleon database is complete and accurate.

* Processes adoptions and impounded animals; identifies color, sex, breed of animals; scans animals for identification chips; places identification band on animal and cage card on cage; houses animals in proper area of kennel.

* Escorts the public and assists with looking for and reclaiming lost pets from the animal control center; accompanies owners visiting quarantined pets; monitors quarantined animals as required.

* Picks up and processes deceased animals from veterinarians; sedates aggressive animals for euthanasia; performs and/or assists with euthanasia of animals as necessary and in accordance with County policy.

* Transports euthanized animals to appropriate facilities for disposal; buries dead animals.

* Processes and maintains identification files and other required paperwork on all animals housed in the center; closes out complaints when resolved.

* Assists law enforcement and fire personnel in emergency situations including fire and hurricane evacuations; performs traffic control while attending injured animals; assists with evictions and injured/deceased humans involving animals.

* Documents all activity conducted in assigned position; takes photographs to document incidents.

Permit & Licensing Compliance * Organizes and prioritizes complaints; verifies vaccinations and licensing of animals; distributes and collects licenses from veterinarians.

* Inspects animal-related businesses, animal-related organizations, commercial and non-commercial breeders, rodeos, and declared dangerous dogs for compliance with animal control regulations and treatment of animals; send renewals; issue permits; issue citations and notices to comply for violations; work with other Divisions to facilitate permitting process.

* Attend off-site vaccination clinics and events to gain compliance of licensing and mandatory vaccination; data entry of licensing and vaccinations; send licensing renewals and late notices; follow-up on notices to comply for licensing, vaccinations, and permits renewals.

* Assists Animal Control Officers with patrols of county streets and responds to dispatched calls from citizens concerning animal control issues such as potential animal abuse, animal bites, stray/nuisance animals, wild/dangerous animals, and injured/dead animals.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS * Maintains, cleans, and disinfects vehicles, cages, and kennel areas; provides for the care of animals in kennel including obtaining food and supplies, feeding, and grooming.

* Provides educational exhibits; conducts facility tours; assists customers in front lobby.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications * High school diploma or GED required.

* One (1) year of related experience.

* Fingerprinting required.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES * Must obtain and maintain state certification in Animal Control and Euthanasia Injection within six (6) months from date of hire.

* May be required to attain and maintain other certifications as related to this position.

* Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.

Supplemental information * Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.

* Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency.

The County's Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.

* This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.