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Title

Animal Control Officer 

Category Animal Services  
Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Responsible for functions in the field, kennel and office based on task assignment. Responsible for enforcement of ordinances governing the care and keeping of domestic animals and livestock in an effort to maintain public safety and welfare. Responsible for responding to service calls and providing professional customer service, capturing and transporting stray, vicious and/or diseased domestic animals to the animal shelter, issuing citations, criminal investigations, case preparation and testifying in court as necessary. Responsible for maintaining daily shelter operations, caring for impounded animals, and performs technical and clerical duties in support of the kennel and field operations. Responds within 60 minutes of dispatch to call-outs for emergency animal assistance and disaster relief.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Receives complaints of dogs, cats, or other animals creating nuisances and notifies proper Animal Services (AS) staff for investigation or refers complainant to proper entity. Assists the public in resolving problems and answers questions relating to animal control, Sumter County Ordinances and state law; enforces ordinances, rules, regulations and laws.

  2. Works closely with law enforcement, Health Department, Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County, , Fish and Wildlife Commission, other governmental agencies, City and County agencies and veterinarians.Assists law enforcement personnel in situations involving animals as requested.

  3. Captures and transports stray, sick, injured or potentially rabid domestic animals to the kennel for appropriate processing, care and treatment, and quarantine if necessary. Issues notice or citation for violations of ordinances governing the care and keeping of animals.

  4. Conducts investigations and performs follow-up as needed; determines appropriate court action if any; assists in the preparation for court cases and court activities as needed.Investigates reports of animal neglect and abuse and files charges as appropriate. Prepares records, reports, files and notes to document potential violations for case presentation.Appears in court hearings to submit documents, evidence, affidavits, and case summaries for the enforcement and prosecution of civil/criminal infractions of animal laws.

  5. Maintains and sanitizes equipment used including vehicle assigned. Maintains accurate records of daily work activities on Animal Services software.

  6. Patrols areas of the County on foot or in assigned vehicles to detect violations of laws and ordinances pertaining to animal control.

  7. Receives and processes domestic animals brought to the kennel for impoundment or possession release; redeems animals to proper owners; processes unclaimed animals for adoption partner; assists members of the public searching for lost animals or seeking to adopt animals

  8. Performs routine inspections of animals and their cages to monitor food consumption, behavior, symptoms of disease, and condition of confined animals for health and safety purposes; provides basic animal care including bathing, feeding, and observing animal behavior; transports animals to veterinarians' offices for medical testing and treatment as directed.

  9. Assists with administration of animal medications as directed by a licensed veterinarian, administers tests that are allowable without a veterinary license; scans for microchips; properly handles controlled substances used for euthanasia.

  10. Euthanizes sick and/or dangerous animals in the field in accordance with procedures and assists other with euthanasia of animals as needed.

  11. Clean, sanitize and disinfect kennels and cages, including cleaning food bowls and litter pans, sweeping and using high-pressure water hose to clean floors and walls using bleach or other chemical disinfectants.Performs repair and routine maintenance of kennels, cages, exercise pens, and other facilities.

  12. Administers chemical immobilization procedures in the capture of animals as directed.

  13. Performs specialized and technical clerical and record keeping work using departmental software systems.

  14. In case of emergency or crisis situation (hurricane, flood, etc.) position is required to respond/perform emergency and recovery duties as assigned.Performs related duties as required to control emergencies related to animal control ordinances and statutes; schedules regular 24-hour/day, 7-day/week, 365-day/year on-call rotation, and ensures a response time within 60 minutes of dispatch.

  15. Employees hired on or after February 1, 2016, must be a tobacco-free person, both on and off the job, for at least 1 year immediately preceding application and maintain same tobacco-free status throughout the term of employment.

  16. Maintains regular attendance.

[These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related marginal duties as required.]

 
Position Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of State and County animal control ordinances, regulations, animal care procedures and policies of the Services Division, and Board Of County Commissioners (BOCC)
  • Knowledge of chemical capture, trapping, ensnaring, handling, transporting, and caring for animals and sufficient knowledge to distinguish between various breeds of animals for proper identification.
  • Knowledge of animal behavior and animal diseases sufficient to recognize normal and abnormal behavior in domestic and wild animals.
  • Ability to use a computer.
  • Ability to work alone or with others and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the general public, co-workers, , members of law enforcement, elected and appointed officials, as well as members of a diverse cultural background.
  • Ability to deal with and educate the public and enforce laws impartially, firmly and tactfully.
  • Ability to maintain sanitary conditions of kennels, vehicles and equipment.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to prepare written reports.
  • Ability to interpret or use a variety of instructions, legal or public rights terminology and language, animal behavior and animal diseases.
  • Ability to offer accurate testimony in court proceedings, civil actions and before hearing officers.
  • Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
  • Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using machinery and equipment.
  • Ability to deal with people and animals under stress.
  • Ability to respond on scene to after hours and weekend calls within sixty (60) minutes.
  • Experience operating a pickup truck and trailer towing and maneuvering.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
  • One (1) year of college or vocational education in animal control, public safety, law enforcement, code enforcement or a related field preferred.
  • Two (2) years of related training and/or experience in handling, trapping, ensnaring and transporting domestic animals.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS:

  • Valid Florida Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to insurance provider.
  • Must possess and maintain certification as Certified Animal Control Officer or obtain certification by taking next scheduled State Animal Control Officers School.
  • Must possess and maintain certification as Euthanasia Technician or obtain certification by taking next scheduled State certified euthanasia course.
  • Must possess and maintain certification for Chemical Immobilization, or obtain certification by taking next scheduled State certified Chemical Immobilizations course.
  • Must possess and maintain certification for Bite Stick, or obtain certification by taking next scheduled State certified bite stick course.
  • Must possess and maintain certification for Pepper Spray, or obtain certification by taking next scheduled pepper stick course.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

  • Acceptable vision (with or without correction)
  • Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
  • Heavy lifting and carrying (over 50 lbs)
  • Reaching
  • Pulling
  • Climbing
  • Walking
  • Standing
  • Crawling
  • Kneeling
  • Bending
  • Stooping
  • Jumping
  • Running

VACCINATIONS:

  • Hepatitis A within sixty (60) days of employment
  • Hepatitis B within sixty (60) days of employment
  • Pre-exposure Rabies within sixty (60) days of employment
  • Tetanus Within sixty (60) days of employment

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

  • Works inside and outside in varying weather conditions with noise and dust;
  • Works on uneven, slippery surfaces and heights;
  • Works with animals, including flea and tick infested areas, dead and diseased animals;
  • Works with moving objects and vehicles;
  • Works in stressful situations.

Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

FLSA Non-Exempt Status

Revised 08/08/17

 
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Salary Range Salary Range $12.71 - $18.15. Commensurate with experience and licenses. Benefits package.  
Closing Date June 3, 2018  
Position Animal Control Officer  
Division Animal Services  
Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt  
Open Date 5/18/2018  
Location Animal Services and Mosquito Control  
Flyer None Specified 


This position is currently not accepting applications.

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