Animal Control Officer I

Animal Control Officer I

Salary

$20.77 - $22.84 Hourly

Location

Milton, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01784

Department

Animal Services

Opening Date

11/02/2026

Closing Date

11/9/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

Protects the safety and rights of the public and the welfare of animals.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks which are also performed but are incidental to the primary functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the class necessarily perform every duty listed. Personal characteristics required of all employees such as honesty, industry, sobriety and the ability to get along with others, are presumed qualities and may not be listed specifically.

• Responds to complaints and picks up stray animals, placing them in the shelter, and if necessary, in quarantine.
• Responds to complaints and acts as intermediary in disputes between neighbors, relating to animal problems.
• Patrols problem areas for stray dogs or cats and checks for valid rabies tags.
• Advises animal owners of county regulations and issues citations for violations.
• Answers telephone and radio to field complaints from the public regarding animal problems.
• Performs technical and clerical duties in support of the kennel and field operations.
• Investigates animal bites and obtains necessary information to locate animals and/or owners of animals in such cases.
• Investigates complaints of animal cruelty and violations of this complaint.
• Collects and prepares necessary evidence and affidavits for court cases, relative to citations and other violations of the ordinance; appears and testifies in court regarding ordinance violations.
• Picks up diseased and/or injured animals and transports them to the necessary locations.
• Responds to calls for emergency animal assistance and disaster relief after hours.
• Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Must demonstrate commitment to our mission, vision, values and goals and represent the County in a professional, dignified manner at all times both in actions and appearance.
• May have a role in the Countys disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, as designated in the County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; may be required to work before, during and/or after an emergency.
• Must be able to meet minimum attendance standards.
• Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL, VISUAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

The physical requirements are that of heavy work and include exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching stooping, stretching reaching or similar activities; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items over 50 pounds; or defending oneself or others against physical attack. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristic and abilities, such as above average agility or dexterity. Must be able to physically control highly active/aggressive animals using available equipment. Requires repetitive motion of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Requires fingering to including picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Requires grasping by applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Required to operate a motor vehicle in the performance of job functions.

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures. Transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors or shades of color.

Requires the expression or exchange of ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly. Requires perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress that require a range of safety and other precautions where conditions cannot be controlled and/or is exposed to one or more disagreeable conditions such as irate customers, outdoor weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme temperatures, odors, dust, animal odors, chemicals, etc. more than 50% of the work time.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of methods and techniques in capturing animals; animal care and feeding; symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; State and County laws and ordinances; county streets and roads; communication equipment and radio procedures.

Required to operate a personal computer and type. Required to draft and prepare reports.

Required to interpret and enforce state and county animal control laws and ordinances in a firm, tactful and impartial manner; read for comprehension; express ideas effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain working relationship with employees, volunteers and public.

Minimum & Preferred Qualifications

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent; supplemented by one (1) year experience in animal control, code enforcement or security; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

LICENSURE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Requires a valid driver license at the date of hire and maintain said license while employed in this position. Must have completed or complete within six (6) months of hire, a Florida approved Euthanasia Technician certification course. Must have completed or complete within six (6) months of hire, a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as required by Florida law (F.S. 828.27).

Supplemental Information

Applicants must have at least the minimum educational documentation and/or certifications (requested within the job description) uploaded with their application to be eligible for consideration. Documentation may be uploaded at the time of application, scanned and emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered.

NOTE: The information given on your application will be evaluated against the minimum qualifications of the job description. After all applications are evaluated, your name will be placed on the employment list and sent to appropriate hiring authority for consideration.

The online application and complete job descriptions can be viewed at www.santarosa.fl.gov Complete job descriptions may also be obtained at the Human Resources office located at 6495 Caroline Street, Suite H Milton, FL 32570.

Candidates may be asked to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the position during the interview process.

A Drug Free Workplace/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /Veterans Preference will be given in accordance with Florida Statutes.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive 11 paid holidays.

ANNUAL LEAVE:

0-4 years - Employee is eligible to earn up to 104 hours per year. (4 hours per pay period)

5-9 years - Employee is eligible to earn up to 130 hours per year. (5 hours per pay period)

10-14 years - Employee is eligible to earn up to 156 hours per year. (6 hours per pay period)

15-19 years - Employee is eligible to earn up to 182 hours per year. (7 hours per pay period)

20+ years - Employee is eligible to earn up to 208 hours per year. (8 hours per pay period)

SICK LEAVE: Employee is eligible to earn up to 104 hours per year. (4 hours per pay period)

HEALTH INSURANCE: Choice between three (3) health plan options.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Employee has the opportunity to purchase dental insurance.

VISION INSURANCE: Plan may be purchased by employees and their eligible family members.

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS: Consists of Health, Dental, Cancer, Short Term and Long Term disability. These benefits may be purchased by employees on a pre-tax basis.

LIFE INSURANCE: FREE policy for $25,000

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE: Employee may purchase additional life and accidental death insurance through group rates.

TAX-FREE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Tax-free spending accounts to help pay for health care and dependent care expenses.

RETIREMENT: As a Florida Retirement System (FRS) member, employees pay 3% of gross salary on a pre-taxed basis with the County contributing the remaining amount. Eligibility depends on option chosen; either 1 or 8 years to vest.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Tax deferred savings plan available for retirement purposes. Employee pays full cost.

SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security Retirement, Disability, and Insurance Benefits.

CREDIT UNION: Banking services including checking, savings, and loans available per credit union policy.

JURY DUTY: Paid leave for jury duty.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Up to three (3) days leave for death in immediate family.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: FREE confidential counseling and referral service for employees and their families. Three visits per year for each employee and immediate family members.

UNIFORMS: FREE uniforms for those required to wear uniforms.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Full and partial reimbursement of tuition cost for approved course work.

SICK LEAVE POOL: Paid leave, up to 480 hours, awarded for absence due to health emergency.

01

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

02

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work within the United States?

• Yes
• No

03

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

04

If you indicated completion of a degree, please provide your major and/or minor (if none, enter "N/A") in the space provided.

05

Please indicate your years of experience in animal control, code enforcement or security.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years
• At least 7 years but less than 9 years
• At least 9 or more years

06

Please describe your experience in animal control, code enforcement or security (if none, enter "N/A") in the space provided.

07

Please indicate below any of the certifications you currently possess.

• Florida approved Euthanasia Technician certification
• Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer certification
• None of these

08

Do you have work experience with a state or local government?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please indicate the name(s) of the organization(s) and position(s) held with a state or local government (if "No", enter "N/A") in the space provided.

10

Do you have a valid driver license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Santa Rosa County

Address 6495 Caroline Street, Suite H

Milton, Florida, 32570

Phone (850) 983-1948

Website http://www.santarosa.fl.gov