ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER II

General Information

Location: Bishop Animal Shelter / 5718 21st Ave W. Bradenton, FL 34209
Days and Hours: Monday - Friday / 8:00am - 5:00pm with rotating on call that includes nights, weekends and holidays.

Serving in a lead (non-supervisory) capacity, protects and improves the quality of life for the citizens and domestic animals of Manatee County by enforcing the Manatee County Animal Ordinance. This classification is also responsible for enforcing the laws of the State of Florida pertaining to animal cruelty and dangerous dogs. Employees in this classification will evaluate complaints, reports and cases, and may apprehend animals that do not comply with established animal laws and regulations and may issue civil citations to violators of animal control laws and will serve as the county rabies control agency responsible for the coordination and control of reported bite animals with the county health department.

Serves as supervisor in the absence of the Animal Welfare Supervisor and may be tasked with the oversight and coordination of more complex legal and administrative cases such as animal cruelty, neglect, in-humane treatment of animals, animal abandonment and dangerous dog investigations.

Working Conditions
Indoor office and outdoor field environment. Work may require time outdoors for extended periods in a variety of weather conditions and high noise environments. May encounter sick, injured and/or vicious animals while performing certain responsibilities and be required to safely handle those animals. Lifting animals and equipment up to 50 lbs. alone; up to 100 lbs. with assistance. Regularly required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job and regularly required to work other than normal business hours including an after-hours on-call rotation.

Job Description

Essential Functions
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.

May be required to serve on a rotating basis as the Animal Welfare Supervisor during the supervisor's absence.

May be required to serve as the training officer as needed.

As a senior officer, may have seniority authority when working with, or overseeing cases with an Animal Welfare Officer 1.

Must attend advanced investigation and/or certification training as deemed necessary by management including but not limited to, court room preparation, animal cruelty training, dangerous dog declaration, and the FEMA ICS series 100, 200, 700 and 800.

Applies working knowledge of the County Animal Ordinances, and State Statutes related to the enforcement of animal control laws; issues verbal and written courtesy notices of complaint to violators; issues civil citations to violators of animal control laws.

Responds to complaints and patrols specified areas to capture and impound stray animals including animals in violation of the animal control laws.

Works with the public to encourage and facilitate voluntary compliance of violations and fosters positive relationships with the public to best promote humane animal welfare programs and reinforce citizen responsibility, care and assistance for those citizens and animals in need.

Makes dispositions of complaints or other calls relative to injured or deceased animals, unlicensed, stray animals, and nuisance animals to include community follow up protocols for the retention and return of owned animals including license/tag reviews, micro-chip tracing and interfacing with the community through the use of social and other media platforms, phone calls and face to face contact.

Uses established investigative procedures to prepare animal bite reports and related records, complete incident/impound reports, cruelty investigations, and probable cause affidavits.

Provides testimony in County Civil Court at hearings and trials and maintains clear and open communication with the County Attorney’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office on all pertinent investigative matters.

Responds to emergency animal complaints during and after normal work hours.

Participates in outreach activities and programs to educate the public, county staff and other partnering agencies and attends civic neighborhood and community meetings during and outside of regular working hours.

Strictly adheres to safety protocols to protect self, co-workers, the public, and the animals in their care.

Attends job specific training classes, conferences and seminars as assigned by supervisor.

Inspects vehicles and equipment to ensure proper and safe working order.

Performs any other related work (including weather or other extreme emergency duties) as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduate/equivalent.

Minimum of two years’ experience as an Animal Welfare Officer I, and certification from the Florida Animal Control Association.

Valid driver's license.

A comparable combination of education and training, and work experience which provides the proper knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

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Knowledge/Abilities/Skills

Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions, to organize own work and to complete routine tasks within the assigned guidelines. Ability to independently resolve routine situations and problems.

General knowledge of regulatory compliance protocols necessary to successfully perform job duties related to the enforcement of the County Animal Ordinance and the applicable State Statutes.

General knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.

Good written and verbal communication skills and the interpersonal skills necessary to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, and the public, and the ability to explain facts, policies and practices using tact and diplomacy in situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens.

Ability to prepare and maintain all reports and records relative to the position and related divisional duties properly and professionally.

Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, Manatee County roads and street addresses.

Knowledge of practices/procedures in the safe handling of all types of animals under varying conditions, including but not limited to live and deceased animals at varying sizes and weights, utilizing assistance as needed, and the capture and control of vicious, dangerous, sick, and injured animals, in all weather conditions.

Must maintain a neat and clean appearance to maintain a professional public image to include uniform consistency with a clean and groomed profile at all times including public interactions and court/hearing testimony.

Ability to appear and testify in court for violations of the Manatee County Ordinance and Florida State Statutes, being prepared, and able to effectively communicate your actions during legal proceedings.

May be assigned other divisional duties including but not limited to shelter care and assistance, medical and administration.

Demonstrate the proper skills to effectively use all animal capture equipment issued including, but not limited to, Ketch-All pole, Snappy Snare, and live animal traps.

The safe and efficient operation of assigned Animal Services vehicles, including the care of any animals in transport at any time.

• ComPsych – offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
• Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.

• Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)
• On-site Fitness Centers for you and your dependents with 24/7 access
• Personal Training (5 Free per year)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Group Fitness Classes
• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Management
• Diabetes Care Program
• Registered Dietician (5 Free per year)
• Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)

• Workers’ Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).

• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Personal Sick Leave
• Family Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)
• Professional Medical Appointment Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Military Training Leave
• FMLA

• Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Prescription Insurance
• Life Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.
• 457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.
• FRS Webinars
• Free financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial planner

• Professional Leadership Programs
• Instructor-Led and eLearning Training
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Career Counseling
• Toastmasters
• Networking Membership (Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance)
• Employee Recognition Programs with monetary and time-off awards

• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after six (6) months of service, including GED reimbursement.
• Continuing Education support through Training/Seminars and Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladder.
• Public Safety Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Options for Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts providing pre-tax savings.