Animal Services Specialist

City of Tallahassee FL

  • Tallahassee, FL
  • 3 days ago
  • $18.70–$50.74 Per Hour

Highlights

Possession of a high school diploma or an equivalent recognized certificate and two years of experience in human care giving, animal care, animal grooming, animal control enforcement or similar experience with animals; or possession of a high school diploma or an equivalent recognized certificate and three years of direct customer service experience, combined with responsible personal pet ownership of at least one year; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. The City of Tallahassee's workforce is our communitys lifeblood, we offer diverse career opportunities, a positive work-life balance, competitive compensation, exceptional wellness programs, and comprehensive benefits, all of which position us to be the premier employer of choice for this area.

Numbers & Facts

LocationTallahassee, FL
Salary$18.70–$50.74 Per Hour

Description

About Us

Tallahassee, a diverse community of nearly 200,000 residents, is the state capital and home to Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and Tallahassee State College. It is known for its national forest, freshwater lakes, and abundant parks and recreational activities. Located in the north-central portion of the state of Florida.

The City, as an organization, has a devoted workforce of approximately 4,000 people who come together to ensure the needs of the community are met through municipal services. These services include Police, Fire, Utilities (electric, gas, water, wastewater, stormwater), Parks and Recreation, Aviation-Tallahassee International Airport, and general municipal services. The City's mission is to be the national leader in the delivery of public service.

The City of Tallahassee's workforce is our communitys lifeblood, we offer diverse career opportunities, a positive work-life balance, competitive compensation, exceptional wellness programs, and comprehensive benefits, all of which position us to be the premier employer of choice for this area.

Apply On Or Before

Apply on or before 11:59pm on Saturday September 26, 2026

Job Specifications

Are you passionate about animals, committed to public service, and looking for meaningful work where you can make a difference every day?

Join the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center and become part of a team dedicated to providing humane care to animals while serving the people of our community.

This position involves specialized work in the care, handling, and sheltering of animals held custody at the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center. The role requires strong animal-handling skills, knowledge of animal behavior and small-animal care, excellent customer service skills, and an understanding of animal center and kennel operations and maintenance.

This position is unique in that employees are trained and expected to work effectively in both the kennel and front office. Team members must be comfortable balancing and prioritizing responsibilities in both areas, transitioning between hands-on animal care and public-facing customer service as needed.

As part of our team, you will help provide care and humane sheltering for nearly 5,000 animals each year, while also assisting residents with more than 50,000 animal-related service requests annually.

This requires employees who are adaptable, compassionate, professional, and comfortable working with both animals and people. The ability to multitask, manage changing priorities, and provide quality service in both areas is essential. Proficiency with computers and the ability to learn and use a variety of systems are also important to the success of this role.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide compassionate, humane care to shelter animals, including vaccinating, microchipping, medicating, feeding, and monitoring animals.
  • Safely and appropriately handle animals with a wide range of behaviors and needs.
  • Perform kennel duties, including animal care, cleaning, sanitation, and general facility maintenance.
  • Maintain high standards of professionalism, compassion, safety, and attention to detail.
  • Work collaboratively as part of a team in a fast-paced and continually changing animal services environment

If you are compassionate, dependable, adaptable, and comfortable working with both animals and people, this may be the opportunity youve been looking for.

For the complete job specification, listing essential duties and desirable qualifications, go to Animal Services Specialist

Minimum Training & Experience

Possession of a high school diploma or an equivalent recognized certificate and two years of experience in human care giving, animal care, animal grooming, animal control enforcement or similar experience with animals; or possession of a high school diploma or an equivalent recognized certificate and three years of direct customer service experience, combined with responsible personal pet ownership of at least one year; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Responsible personal pet ownership must be documented via presentation of records from a veterinarian, kennel, etc., reflecting ownership and care (vaccinations, neutering, spaying or wellness

check-ups) over at least one year.

Necessary Special Requirements

Within one year of employment, must obtain Euthanasia certification.

Salary Range

$18.6982 to $50.7388/hourly. Hiring rate generally will not exceed $26.6595/hour.

Drivers License Requirements

Must possess a valid Class-E State drivers license at the time of appointment.

Benefits Information

The City of Tallahassee offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Paid vacation, sick leave, parental, and catastrophic illness leave
  • Defined benefit pension and defined contribution plans
  • Paid holidays
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life and long-term disability insurance
  • Pre-paid legal, critical illness, and auto insurance plans

Note: OPS employees are eligible for medical insurance plans but not eligible for paid vacation, paid sick leave, or paid holidays. Temporary employees (Non-OPS) are not eligible to participate in the Citys benefits programs.

For more information about benefits offered to eligible City employees, visit ALEX or City's Benefits Summary.

How To Apply

Visit Talgov.com/Employment click on the 'Apply Today' button, then navigate to 'My Job Applications' icon, and create an account. Only online applications will be accepted for this vacancy. Remember, you must complete all sections of the application, including the education and work history section, even if this information is included on your resume.

If you have any questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact the City's Human Resources and Workforce Development Department at 850-891-8214.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City of Tallahassee is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting equity and celebrating diversity. The City of Tallahassee invites applications without regard to an individual's race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Veterans' Preference:

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses of the service members and veterans, will receive preference and priority, and certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. For information on who may be eligible for Veterans Preference, go to http://floridavets.org/benefits-services/veterans-preference/, or call Human Resources & Workforce Development at (850) 891-8214.To claim Veterans Preference, applicants must upload a DD-214 (and other documentation, as applicable) with their online application prior to the closing date of the job opening.

Accommodation for Persons with a Disability:

If you require an accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator, in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, at 850-891-8950 or at TLHADA@talgov.com Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or TDD 711, at least 48 hours, (excluding weekends and holidays), prior to the application deadline.

Similar Jobs