Animal Resources & Care Officer

Salary: $20.41 hourly

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent and one year of experience in animal control, veterinary medicine, code enforcement, or law enforcement; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.
• Must provide a means of being contacted by phone.
• Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirements may be considered for trainee status.
• A valid Florida Driver License is required, with a Motor Vehicle Record that meets Alachua County policy #6-7. Records will be reviewed prior to employment. Applicants with more than three moving traffic infractions, three or more at-fault motor vehicle accidents (or a combination), or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence in the past 24 months do not meet the minimum qualifications.
• Must meet all Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements/prerequisites to handle controlled substances.
• Must successfully pass the forty-hour minimum standards training course (Animal Control Officer Certification) and the Euthanasia Technician Certification Course, valid in the State of Florida, within six months of hire.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, physical examination, and all applicable background checks (pre-hire and ongoing) is required.

About the Role

This is specialized enforcement and investigative work enforcing County Animal Services Ordinances in the Alachua County Animal Resources & Care Department. An employee in this role investigates animal cruelty and neglect charges and performs related duties to promote compliance with Alachua County ordinances regulating animal treatment. Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Responsibilities

• Exudes a positive customer service focus and aligns decisions with the County's core values.
• Observes and reports violations of Animal Services Ordinances to appropriate individuals for further consideration.
• Investigates complaints, determines if there is a violation, and takes appropriate actions to comply with ordinances.
• Picks up and impounds stray or at-large animals; traps, chases, and captures animals as needed.
• Aids animals in distress by feeding starving animals and freeing trapped animals.
• Removes animals from inhumane conditions and transports them to the shelter for treatment and care using a County vehicle.
• Prepares written investigative reports, issues warning notices or citations, and takes sworn statements that may result in court action.
• Conducts preliminary investigations and files reports on cruelty and animal neglect complaints.
• Works closely with other humane and law enforcement agencies on incidents involving animals.
• Provides care and maintenance of assigned vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Performs humane euthanasia of designated animals in accordance with department policy, applicable laws and regulations, and best practices.
• Prepares rabies specimens for laboratory tests by decapitating and placing specimens in biohazard containers; may transport rabies specimens.
• Performs duties with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of methods and techniques used to administer first aid to animals and perform euthanasia procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of County ordinances regulating animal control and related legal procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of the Gainesville/Alachua County geographical area.
• Knowledge of testing procedures for rabid animals.
• Ability to perform euthanasia procedures on injured, sick, dangerous, or unwanted animals by means of lethal injection.
• Ability to follow appropriate euthanasia and decapitation procedures.
• Ability to comprehend and enforce County ordinances related to animal services.
• Ability to deal effectively with the public, especially during emotional or stressful situations.
• Ability to effectively investigate complaints and prepare appropriate documentation.
• Ability to effectively handle animals in all situations.
• Ability to comprehend and utilize legal and court procedures as they apply to Alachua County Animal Services Ordinances.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal effectively with outside agencies, other County employees, and the general public.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.