Job Description

Animal Control Officer 1

Location: 12450 Ulmerton Rd Largo, FL 33774

Schedule: Four rotating 10-hours shifts per week. There is also an on-call rotation.

Are you passionate about the welfare of Pinellas County citizens and animals? The Animal Control Officer position may be for you!

The Enforcement Division of Pinellas County Animal Services strives to enhance the quality of life in our community through citizen education and by compassionate enforcement of current ordinances/laws relating to the treatment of animals. We are seeking an Animal Control officer to perform shelter-based, field-based, and telecommunications work processing calls and dispatching Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS) resources. This includes enforcing animal control regulations, animal licensing, and leash laws ensuring the public health and safety of citizens as outlined in Pinellas County Code Chapter-14; enforces animal control codes, issues warnings, citations, and summons; apprehends stray animals.

What would you do?

• Enforce the Pinellas County Animal Services Ordinance and the Rabies Control Prevention of Florida Administrative Code 64-D-3.
• Responds to citizen's requests for assistance with animal related problems, including but not limited to animal bites, barking dogs, license enforcement, leash laws, rabies vaccinations, foul odor, animal neglect and cruelty complaints, in addition to rescuing animals in distress.
• Officers respond to both routine and emergency calls. Cleaning and maintaining animal quarters in a sanitary and humane manner.
• Observing animals and reporting suspected illness and injury to veterinary staff.
• Feeding and providing water for the animals.
• Preparing specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Sufficient strength and stamina to lift large animals, feed bags, trash cans and walk and be on feet for long periods of time.

• Performs related work as assigned or required.

What do you need to have?

• 3 years of experience with animals or regulatory compliance and enforcement, law enforcement, military, or a related field.
• Associate’s degree in law enforcement, or related degree, and at least 1 year of experience as descried above.
• Bachelor’s or higher-level degree as described above.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Driver’s License.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Heavy Public contact, dispatch and data input duties as needed.
• Must receive ACO I Certification within six (6) months from hire date.
• The completion of the pre-exposure series of rabies vaccinations is required.
• Shift work required is required. Overnight standby rotation also requires employees to remain within Pinellas County while working those shifts. Standard shifts consist of four, 10-hour rotating shifts per week.

• Ability to work at the Animal Services facility located at 12450 Ulmerton Rd., Largo FL 33774.

Highly Desirable Skills

• Previous animal handling experience.
• Familiarity with multi-line telephone and 2-way radios
• Familiarity with Word and Excel.
• Ability to utilize Windows-based software.

• Ability to focus on the task at hand and not become complacent to the routine when dealing with animals

Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

• Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.

• We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks. Check out these and more!

Want to learn more?

Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and abilities at the below link.

Animal Control Officer 1