Animal Services Officer Supervisor

About the Role

Under general direction, this position oversees Road Operations related to the enforcement of the local Animal Control Ordinance and State Statutes. The role functions at an entry supervisory/management level to supervise Animal Services Road Operations, ensuring the safety, welfare, and property of Osceola County’s citizens, staff, and animals. Responsibilities include training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating Animal Services Officers.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and implements Animal Services Road Operations to meet established goals and objectives; coordinates activities to achieve these goals.
• Supervises and coordinates daily road operations of Animal Services Officer Is, including scheduling, zone assignments, and overseeing vehicle and equipment maintenance.
• Supervises and evaluates Animal Services Officer Is; coordinates policy and procedure onboarding and job training (e.g., animal control, public contact, reporting requirements).
• Reviews and participates in Officer responses to calls and investigates complaints involving injured or nuisance domestic and wild animals that may pose a public threat.
• Explains Animal Control Ordinances and State statutes to the public; advises citizens on responsible animal ownership and public interactions.
• Implements and oversees the Road Operations budget, ensuring fiscal control of supplies, inventory, revenues, and expenditures.
• Assists Department leadership with animal cruelty investigations when ASO IIs are unavailable, ensuring cases are referred to ASO IIs when they become available.
• Conducts dangerous dog investigations in accordance with Osceola County Animal Code and Florida Statutes when ASO IIs are unavailable; ensures cases are referred to ASO IIs when available.
• Directs oversight of all domestic and wild animal bite investigations; reviews field notes and completes incident reports for court citations in criminal and civil bite cases.
• Maintains management records related to Animal Services operations and ensures timely information sharing within the department.
• Consults with the Health Department on rabies-related situations to determine quarantine or testing needs for animals.
• Collaborates with state and local agriculture enforcement agencies to facilitate effective investigations and positive outcomes for cases involving agriculture animals.
• Performs euthanasia after completing the required certification course.
• Embraces a "one team" approach by interacting, cooperating, assisting, training, and learning from volunteers to accomplish daily tasks and projects.
• Performs additional duties as assigned that are related or logical to the position.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in animal care/control, veterinary, and/or law enforcement work, with at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. Additional years of direct animal care/control experience or relevant education may substitute for supervisory experience.
• Must possess Animal Control Officer State of Florida Certification for at least five (5) years.
• Must possess Euthanasia State of Florida Certification.
• Must possess Chemical Capture State of Florida Certification.
• Must obtain Animal Cruelty Investigator certification (Levels I, II, and III) from the Law Enforcement Training Institute or another approved entity within two (2) years.
• Must be inoculated against rabies upon hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Skills

• Ability to effectively supervise staff, including entry and journey-level employees, in Animal Services Road Operations.
• Ability to convey knowledge of County Animal Control Ordinances and Florida Statutes to the public.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local laws, rules, and ordinances; ability to interpret regulations professionally and courteously.
• Thorough knowledge of proper care, feeding, and handling of domestic and livestock animals.
• Skill in safely using animal capture and restraint tools, equipment, traps, and devices; ability to apprehend animals in the field, including large, dangerous, or rabid animals and livestock.
• Knowledge of domestic, livestock, and wildlife diseases, especially reportable or zoonotic diseases.
• Understanding of rabies prevention, transmission, and quarantine protocols.
• Knowledge of or ability to consult experts on exotic animals for appropriate handling, housing, and disposition.
• Thorough knowledge of Osceola County’s geographic areas.
• Ability to operate animal services vehicles and pull various types of trailers.
• Ability to communicate via radio using established 10 codes and signals with dispatchers and other Animal Services Officers.
• Strong customer service skills; ability to handle sensitive circumstances diplomatically.
• Ability to make quick, responsible decisions under stressful and emotional circumstances.
• Ability to operate emergency multi-line communications systems and basic office equipment (e.g., computers, printers, copiers, fax machines).
• Ability to read, update, and maintain records and files; proficiency in using various software applications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County personnel, government agencies, law enforcement, volunteers, civic groups, and the public.

Physical Demands

• Heavy physical demand: maximum lifting of 100 pounds.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds (up to 2/3 of work time).
• Ability to express or exchange ideas verbally and perceive sound by ear.
• Good eyesight for personal and others' safety.
• Physical agility required for kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.