Animal Control Officer

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described below.

• Patrols assigned areas, driving a transport vehicle to enforce laws pertaining to animals.
• Responds to and investigates complaints of animal bites, dangerous animals, animal cruelty and animal nuisances.
• Assists in the resolution of neighborhood animal ownership disputes.
• Enter domiciles, facilities, homes, trailers, mobile homes, abandoned property and other types of structures, which may contain hazardous atmospheres or dangerous environmental conditions.
• Conduct decontamination procedures during animal rescue or removal operations.
• Impounds animals found in violation of county or state animal ordinances and laws.
• Makes initial assessment of animals to determine the need for a medical evaluation and/or isolation requirements.
• Issues warning and legal notices to owners or possessors of small animals for violations of State or County laws and ordinances.
• Writes official citations and appears in court to provide testimony.
• Records, retrieves and verifies animal impoundment information using a computer terminal.
• Receives and responds to citizen’s complaint calls and enters information into data base.
• Writes and maintains reports and records relating to animal control activities.
• Cleans and maintains assigned vehicle and equipment.
• Supports the department in mandated ESF-17 (Emergency Support Function 17) responsibilities in the event of a disaster or during an activation of the County’s Emergency Operations Center.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of Florida and Hillsborough County animal control ordinances and laws.
• Knowledge of care and humane treatment of animals.
• Knowledge of animal diseases and health requirements.
• Knowledge of county geography and road networks.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of assigned vehicle and two-way radio.
• Skill in decision making relative to animal law violations.
• Skill in the use of animal handling equipment.
• Skill in the humane handling of animals including specialized handling of dangerous or suspected rabid animals.
• Ability to properly use and wear personal protective equipment during animal rescue or removal operations.
• Ability to properly use and wear respiratory protection based on atmospheric conditions and environmental hazards during animal rescue or removal operations.
• Ability to read and understand job related material.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to follow oral or written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to operate a large vehicle with blind spots.
• Ability to read a road map, or mapping system on a phone or a laptop.
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.

Physical Requirements

• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Category

• Heavy Work- Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; AND
• Six months of experience in law enforcement, code enforcement or animal handling; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.