ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER I

General Description

Responsible field work in the enforcement of County animal control ordinance and state laws relating to animals according to Chapter 828 of the Florida Statues. To ensure the public is protected from diseased, problem and vicious stray animals and that the animals are humanely treated after being impounded. Position requires shift rotations, call-in after hours, weekends, holidays, working during State of Emergencies. Position requires exposure to heat and cold on daily basis.

Essential Functions

• Patrols the County and may patrol the City of Fernandina Beach, Town of Hilliard, and Callahan. Picks up and impounds stray and/or animals at large.
• Educates the general public regarding care and treatment of animals.
• Removes animals from inhumane conditions and delivers animals to the animal facility for treatment and care.
• Sets humane live traps, ensnaring, and handling of stray and/or dangerous animals.
• Investigates complaints, determines if there is a violation and takes appropriate actions to comply with the Nassau County Animal Control Ordinances and Florida Statutes.
• Issues warnings and citations for violation of state and county ordinances.
• Investigates reports of animal bites, animal cruelty and neglect.
• Apprehends, impounds, euthanizes and disposes of diseased, unhealthy, problem and vicious animals. Properly reports animals for submission to laboratory in accordance with County and State ordinances.
• Works closely with the Sheriff’s Office, Health Department, other agencies and veterinarians.
• Interacts with the public fairly and tactfully, especially during emotional or stressful situations.
• Picks up trapped animals.
• Testifies in court proceedings as a witness or plaintiff on behalf of the County.
• Collects evidence, including photographs.
• Conducts preliminary investigations and files reports on animal bites, animal cruelty, and neglect.
• Maintains records and prepares moderate to complex written reports on animals impounded, adopted, redeemed, relinquished and destroyed. Responds to the emergency operation center when activated as directed.
• Provides care and maintenance of assigned vehicle, equipment and facilities.
• Assists with cleaning and maintaining kennels, when needed.
• Feeds and cares for sheltered animals including confined animals, when needed.
• Answers phones, when needed.
• Operates radio equipment.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness.
• Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.
• Performs related duties as required, including working in other functional areas to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Minimum Education & Experience

Requires a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma supplemented by one (1) year of experience in the area of animal control and/or public health or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess and maintain a Florida Animal Control Officer Certification and Euthanasia Certification within six (6) months of hire. Must possess a valid State Drivers License.

Special Requirements:

Employee must reside or move within forty-five (45) minutes of the Animal Services Facility within one-hundred-twenty (120) days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of Nassau County as they pertain to the performance duties of the Animal Control Officer I.
• Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of County and other Governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to work alone.
• Through knowledge of the terminology and various professional language used within the department.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals, and members of the public.
• Ability to plan and develop daily, short-term and long-term goals related to County purposes.
• Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to make sound, educated decisions.
• Ability to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the job.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Stooping
• Kneeling
• Sitting
• Bending
• Crouching
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting and carrying up to 75 lbs.
• Pushing and pulling
• Grasping
• Talking
• Running fast for a minimum distance of fifty (50) yards.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in various locations, both indoors and outdoors. Exposure to heat and cold, wetness, humidity, machinery, hazards, electrical currents, smoke/dust, odors, dirt/pollen, dangerous animals, traffic hazards, and noise extremes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the listed closing date or the position is filled, whichever is earliest. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nassau County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference in accordance with applicable laws.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This position may be required to work in a safety sensitive capacity at any time based on emergency declaration or other operational need. Nassau County reserves the right to edit or re-write this job description at any time.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

BOCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Drugs Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions with a Qualified Plan
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Vision
• Life & AD&D
• Supplemental & Dependent Life & AD&D Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Benefits Offered By Aflac and/or Colonial
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program
• Roth IRA

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee. Employees are required to contribute 3% of their salary per Florida Statute.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County may provide tuition assistance to cover the cost of tuition and books to County employees requesting tuition reimbursement for courses at an accredited college or university which are applicable to the employee's field of work and/or are of such nature to directly prepare employees for positions of greater responsibility within the County. Contact the Human Resources Office for additional details.

HOLIDAYS The following, as well as any other days the BOCC may declare, are designated as official holidays for County Employees:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

PTO LEAVE All full-time employees shall accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) Leave in accordance with the following formula:

Years of Employment Hours Per Year
0 through the end of the 4th year 180
5 years through the end of the 10th year 200
11 years through the end of the 15th year 220
16 years and over 240

For additional information please view Nassau County's Policies & Procedures .

Nassau County

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