<p>Major Functions</p> <p>Are you passionate about making a difference in your community by protecting both people and animals? Do you thrive in a role where every day brings new challenges and the opportunity to create positive change? Volusia County Animal Services is looking for a dedicated Animal Control Officer to join our team and help ensure the safety and well-being of animals and residents.</p> <p>As an Animal Control Officer, you'll play a vital role in enforcing animal-related laws, rescuing animals in need, and educating the public about responsible pet ownership. This is more than just a job-it's a fulfilling career where you'll protect the community, ensure animal welfare, and be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Your work will make a tangible difference in the lives of both people and animals.</p> <p>Why This Career is for You:</p> <ul> <li>Impact: You'll protect both public health and safety while ensuring animals are free from cruelty, pain, and suffering. </li><li>Rewarding Work: Every day is different-whether you're investigating a dangerous situation, reuniting lost pets with their families, or educating the community. </li><li>Comprehensive Training: Receive specialized training to excel in animal handling, public safety, and investigations, including the completion of the Florida Animal Control Officer Certification within one year. </li><li>Community Engagement: Educate the public on responsible pet ownership and help foster a safer community for all residents and their pets. </li></ul> <p>Schedule:</p> <ul> <li>Varies, the typical schedule is 5 eight hour shifts weekly and on call as needed. Must be able to work rotating weekend dates. Some shifts may be on the beach in direct sunlight. This position also requires you to work in the event of a County-wide emergency. </li></ul> <p>Illustrative Duties</p> <p>(NOTE:These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.)</p> <ul> <li>Respond to calls regarding stray animals and public safety concerns. </li><li>Investigate violations of local animal control ordinances and state laws. </li><li>Investigate animal bite cases in accordance with state health laws. </li><li>Rescue and handle domestic animals, ensuring their safety and transporting them to shelters or veterinary facilities. </li><li>Educate the public on local animal control laws, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of spay/neuter programs. </li><li>Work with residents to resolve animal-related issues and return stray animals to their owners when possible. </li><li>Provide court testimony and support in legal proceedings related to ordinance violations. </li><li>Respond to emergency calls after regular working hours, including weekends and holidays, and help ensure public safety during natural disasters. </li><li>Collaborate with external agencies and emergency field response teams as needed. </li><li>Handle and capture feral, aggressive, or dangerous animals using specialized equipment. </li><li>Performs related work as required. </li><li>Reports to the Field Supervisor position. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Requirements</p> <p>Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate and one (1) year of experience as an Animal Control Officer, animal handling in the workplace, or related experience.</p> <p>Must attain an Animal Control Certification within one (1) year of appointment.</p> <p>Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.</p> <p>The preferred candidate, having met the minimum requirements, will have any of the additional qualities below:</p> <ul> <li>Animal Handling: Experience working as an animal control officer or in a shelter/veterinary setting is preferred. </li><li>Customer Service: Previous experience in customer service or community outreach is highly desirable, as this role requires strong communication and engagement with the public. </li><li>Spanish speaking ability </li></ul> <p>Knowledge, Skills & Abilities</p> <ul> <li>Knowledge of the care, humane treatment, and safe handling of animals. </li><li>Knowledge of the Animal Control Ordinance. </li><li>Knowledge of the symptoms of rabies in dogs and cats. </li><li>Knowledge of geography of County unincorporated areas. </li><li>Knowledge of state statutes and codes relative to animal control. </li><li>Ability to explain regulations to the public. </li><li>Ability to deal effectively with the public and animal owners in adverse situations. </li><li>Ability to work alone in the field. </li><li>Ability to investigate complaints of stray or wild animals. </li><li>Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. </li><li>Ability to apprehend animals in the field, including aggressive or dangerous animals. </li><li>Ability to utilize special industry tools (e.g., catch pole, traps, tranquilizer gun, blowgun.) </li></ul> <p>Physical Demands:Heavy work. Ability to see, hear, talk, carry, lift (50 to 100 lbs. occasionally and/or 25 to 50 lbs. frequently), climb, reach, grasp, crouch, pull, walk, run, handle, stand. Ability to traverse uneven, wooded, wet terrains. Exposure to dangerous animals; animal waste.</p> <p>Environmental Demands:Outside work. Ability to tolerate inclement weather including rain, heat, cold, humidity. Exposure to odors, noise. Exposure to dangerous animals; animal waste.</p> <p>Mental Demands: Ability to read and comprehend state and local ordinances, statutes, code; technical manuals; safety rules, procedures, instructions, memos, letters. Ability to perform shop math. Ability to speak clearly and concisely; publicly; conversant in the theories, policies, procedures of discipline. Ability to write complex documents relaying details, instructions, summaries, reports.</p> <p>Volusia County is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce.Veterans' preference in accordance with federal, state, local laws.</p>