General Description of Duties

NOTE TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS: INTERNAL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION AND/OR PAYGRADE AS THE POSITION POSTED WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT IF SELECTED.

Under direction, enforces local, state, and animal cruelty, control, nuisance and rabies laws in compliance with the County's Animal Control Ordinance & Florida State Statutes. Employee functions at journey level and is responsible for protecting the lives and welfare of the citizens and animals. Position is responsible for the apprehension of stray and trapped animals. Performs related tasks as necessary.

Essential Job Functions

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Explains Animal Control Ordinance to the general public; advises citizens on the responsibility of animal ownership.
Responds to calls and investigates complaints of injured or nuisance, domestic and wild animals which may pose a threat to the public.
Loads, delivers, sets and baits animal traps; removes captured animals from traps set by the County and citizens; apprehends stray animals; rescues trapped animals from public areas such as, culverts, and roadways.
Investigates cruelty complaints to determine compliance with animal control ordinances and statutes; seizes animals, transports animals to vet for evaluation and/or treatment, provides owner with Notification of Impoundment, transports animals to the shelter until court date; serves owner with citations for violations.
Obtains necessary information in cases of animal bites and court related matters, both civil and criminal that is forwarded to the County Attorney for possible prosecution; appears in court for cases, including citations and criminal prosecution; prepares court paperwork.
Interviews citizens and files domestic or wild animal bites report; maintains field notes and information to complete incident reports on cases to be processed and sent to court to back up citations; completes reports on animal bites.
Prepares various daily and periodic written reports and departmental forms; maintains logs; completes forms.
Prepares all necessary paperwork for each incident; documents scenes, completes a written report and documents evidence seized in the case.
Must be able to be on call and work evenings and weekends.
Issues citations for violations of animal control ordinances and statues.
Must perform euthanasia after completing certification course.
May assist Kennel Staff as needed.
Embraces a "one team" approach to accomplish daily tasks, goals and projects by interacting, cooperating, assisting, training and learning from volunteers.
Performs duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical in assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: One (1) year previous work experience in an animal control/services organization or animal veterinary clinic in a capacity requiring regular hands-on experience with animals including dogs, cats, and/or livestock.

Miscellaneous

Must reside within 25 miles of Osceola County and be able to respond when on-call.
Must be inoculated against rabies upon hire.
Must successfully complete Euthanasia and Animal Control Officer Certification within one (1) year of hire.
Animal Control certification; Law enforcement experience; Euthanasia certification preferred.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
Ability to communicate in English and Spanish a plus.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of applicable state, federal and local laws, rules, ordinances and regulatory standards applicable to the work; knowledge of the Osceola County Animal Control Ordinance and State Statutes; ability to interpret regulations to the general public in a professional and courteous manner.
Knowledge of proper care, feeding and handling of various types of domestic and exotic animals, livestock and wildlife.
Skill in the safe use and proper utilization of animal capture and restraint tools, equipment, traps, and devices; ability to apprehend animals in the field, including very large, dangerous, or rabid animals and livestock.
Knowledge of a wide variety of species of domestic and exotic animals, livestock and wildlife, and their habits and typically presented diseases and the symptoms.
Knowledge of the geographic areas of the County.
Ability to operate animal control vehicles; ability to pull various types of trailers.
Ability to communicate by radio with 10 codes and signals.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of customer service skills; ability to deal diplomatically with sensitive circumstances.
Ability to render quick, responsible decision making, under stressful and emotional circumstances.
Ability to operate emergency multi-line communications systems.
Ability to operate basic office equipment, e.g., computer terminals, printers, copy machines, telephone systems, facsimile machines.
Ability to read, update and maintain various records and files; ability to access, operate and maintain various software applications.
Skill in clearly communicating information both verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with County personnel, government agencies, law enforcement, volunteers, civic groups, and the general public.

Physical Demand Requirements

Physical Demand: Heavy

100 pounds maximum lifting.
Frequent (up to 2/3 of the work time) lifting, carrying up to 50 lbs.
Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
Physical demand requirements are in excess of medium work.
Physical agility is required in kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.

Employee Benefits

Welcome to a workplace that values you. Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit your needs and the needs of your family.

Join us in making a difference in our community, knowing we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Group Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost to the employee. In addition, the County contributes 83% to the dependent(s) premium coverage.

Deductions Per Paycheck - HRA Base Plan

Coverage

Employee

Employee + 1

Family

Health-HRA Base

$0.00

$140.89

$219.17

HRA Buy-Up

$40.60

$188.28

$292.88

Dental Base

$0.00

$13.10

$24.12

Dental Buy-Up

$3.45

$19.82

$33.61

Vision

$3.42

$6.84

$9.15

Short-Term Disability

$0.00

N/A

N/A

Long-Term Disability

$0.00

N/A

N/A

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

At no cost to the employee. The County offers Short-Term and Long-Term Disability at 60% of the employee’s weekly base salary. The employee has the option to purchase an additional 10% coverage.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family members at no cost.

Employee Wellness Program

Employee Wellness Program promotes a variety of activities to encourage total well-being including physical, emotional, and financial health. Rewards can be earned.

Gym Membership Reimbursement

Gym Membership Reimbursement, up to $20.00 per month.

Basic Life Insurance Policy

At no cost to the employee, equal to one time the employee’s annual salary, rounded to the next thousand dollars. Employees can opt to buy additional Life Insurance.

Employee Health Center

The County provides a private health center for County Employees and eligible dependents. The Employee Health Center offers an array of primary care services, including sick visits, enhanced by x-ray services, pulmonary tests, lab work, and a dispensary offering over 200 generic medications onsite. Services at the Health Center are offered at no cost to the employees and their eligible dependents.

Employees who are enrolled on the County’s Medical plan have access to the Employee Health Center on day one of employment. The Health Center is available to patients 8 years of age and older.

Vacation & Sick Leave Accruals

Service Time

Accruals Per Month

1 month - 5 years

8 hours

5 years and 1 month - 10 years

10 hours

10 years and 1 month - 15 years

12 hours

15 years and 1 month - 20 years

13.34 hours

20 years and over

16.66 hours

Sick Leave Accruals

Classification

Accruals Per Month

Full time employees

8 hours

Part time employees

4 hours

Paid Holidays

Paid Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday (to be chosen by the Employee)

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving - Day After
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Administrative Leave

40 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year for Exempt employees.

Sick Leave Bank

Available to employees experiencing a catastrophic medical related event, with up to 240 hours per fiscal year. Enrollment required.

Vacation/Sick Leave Buy-Back Program

Eligible employees may sell back up to eighty (80) hours of accrued leave per fiscal year. (This program is subject to availability of funds and may be amended or terminated at any time without notice.)

Paid Bereavement Leave

Up to five (5) working days off.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $1,600 per Fiscal Year, for degree seeking employees. Degree must be related to employee’s current position.

Membership in the Florida Retirement System

The County is a Florida Retirement System Employer! For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, County contribution for Regular Class members is 13.59%, subject to a mandatory 3% employee contribution. Rates and Contributions are set by Florida Legislation.

A 457b Deferred Compensation Program

A 457b Deferred Compensation Program is also available to help employees boost their retirement saving goals, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as IRA plan options. Employee sponsored.

Employee Recognition Program

We see your hard work, and we celebrate it! Through our Employee Appreciation Committee and the "You've Been Caught Doing Good" program, we recognize outstanding performance or accomplishments with prizes including monetary rewards and merchandise.

01

Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?

02

Briefly explain and list your years of experience in an animal control/services organization or an animal veterinary clinic in a capacity requiring regular hands-on experience with animals. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.) If none, list N/A.

03

Due to the nature of the work, you must reside within 25 miles of the Osceola County boundary. Do you currently meet this requirement.

04

If you currently reside over 25 miles of the Osceola County Boundary Line, are you willing to relocate?

05

Do you have the ability to be inoculated against rabies upon hire?

06

Do you currently possess an Animal Control Officer Certification? (If yes, please ensure to include the certification information in the Certificates and License section of the application and upload a copy of your certification.) If no, list N/A.

07

Do you currently possess a Euthanasia Certification? (If yes, please ensure to include the certification information in the Certificates and License section of the application.) If no, list N/A.

08

If you do not currently possess an Animal Control Officer or Euthanasia Certification, do you have the ability to within one (1) year of hire?

09

This position may require you to work a night shift schedule. Are you able to work this required schedule?

10

Are you a U.S. Military Veteran?

11

Are you electing to claim Veteran's Preference? (If electing to claim Veteran's Preference, please make sure to complete the Veteran's Preference Eligibility Form located on the home page of NeoGov.)

12

Do you possess a valid Driver's License? If so, from what State?

Required Question

Osceola County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Christopher A. Blackmon jobs

Animal Services Officer I

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