Animal Services Officer

Overview

Animal Services Officer position with City of Jacksonville. This role involves enforcing animal care and control laws, apprehending stray, free-roaming, injured, and diseased animals; investigating animal cruelty complaints; issuing warning notices and citations; educating the public; and performing clerical duties. The work is primarily in the field with some office tasks, includes weekend work and on-call or rotating shifts, and requires working in environments with animal-related risks and hazards.

The position requires knowledge of applicable laws, techniques, methods, and procedures used in animal code enforcement, animal capture, restraint, and care; and it may involve on-the-job learning or specialized training. The work schedule and related duties will be determined by department needs and supervisor direction.

• Trains and guides new employees.
• Enforces city ordinances and state statutes pertaining to animal care and control laws.
• Responds to and resolves complaints from the public relating to animal care and control.
• Captures, detains, controls, and transports stray, dangerous, injured, or dead animals, including animals involved in bite incidents and suspected of having rabies or other contagious or infectious diseases.
• Educates community members on city ordinances, state statutes, and pet retention, reunification, and pet owner support strategies.
• Educates and communicates with neighborhood groups and organizations.
• Supports shelter operations during events and on holidays.
• Performs basic animal care including vaccinations, medications, and other medical care under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Investigates animal cruelty complaints.
• Issues warning notices and civil citations.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports using a computer.
• Collects evidence, including photographs for court process and acts as witness or plaintiff on behalf of the City.
• Performs euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Reports to work location during emergency circumstances such as actual and anticipated natural and man-made disasters.
• Operates standard office equipment, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment, and a motor vehicle.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville’s competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

• Knowledge of applicable laws, techniques, methods, and procedures used in animal code enforcement, animal capture, restraint, and care.
• Knowledge of the geographical area of Duval County.
• Knowledge of Florida State Statutes and City ordinances relating to animal care and control.
• Skills in apprehending animals, including those of a vicious nature.
• Ability to remain calm in unusual and difficult situations.
• Ability to respond to and resolve complaints relating to animal care and control.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports using a computer.
• Ability to compute arithmetic calculations of whole numbers and decimals.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret state and local animal laws and regulations.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to perform euthanasia as taught by the FACA approved class and in compliance with ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to apprehend, restrain and lift large and sometimes dangerous animals weighing 50 pounds or more onto a truck using animal control equipment.
• Two years of education and/or experience in enforcement of animal care and control laws or related fields; or certification through a state or national animal control association with at least one year of related experience.

• Florida Animal Control Officer Certification must be obtained within twelve months and maintained during employment.
• Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained prior to probation…