Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer

Salary

$44,942.30 Annually

Location

2020 Forest Street, Jacksonville, FL

Job Type

Civil Service

Job Number

2026-07318

Department

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

The Animal Care and Protective Services Department is actively seeking a Animal Services Officer.

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is technical work in enforcing animal care and control laws, involving the apprehension of stray, free roaming, injured, and diseased animals; investigation of animal cruelty complaints; issuance of warning notices and citations; educating the public; and performance of clerical related duties. Work requires knowledge of the applicable laws, techniques, methods, and procedures used in animal code enforcement, animal capture, restraint, and care which involve the use of specialized skills and equipment, which are learned on the job or through specialized training. Work schedule involves weekend, subject to on-call and call-out assignments, and/or rotating shifts. Contacts with others require skills in understanding and influencing people and are important in providing services. Skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to others point of view are often required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around. The work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by procedures or precedents, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate technique, method, or procedure to follow. The work involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in search for solutions or new applications within ones known experiences. Work is performed primarily in the field and limited office environments, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of vicious, ill, infectious, and rabid animals but the hazards are known, somewhat predictable and mostly controllable. Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment. Operates a motor vehicle. The physical demands consist of operating a vehicle sitting, walking, standing, running, climbing, bending, reaching, and sometimes lifting objects weighing more than 50 pounds. The work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied and, although subject to standard practices and procedures, the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to supervisor's approval.

Examples of Work

• Trains and guides new employees.
• Enforces city ordinances and state statutes pertaining to animal care and control laws.
• Responds to and resolves complaints from the public relating to animal care and control.
• Captures, detains, controls, and transports stray, dangerous, injured, or dead animals, including animals involved in bite incidents and suspected of having rabies or other contagious or infectious diseases.
• Educates community members on city ordinances, state statutes, and pet retention, reunification, and pet owner support strategies.
• Educates and communicates with neighborhood groups and organizations.
• Supports shelter operations during events and on holidays.
• Performs basic animal care including but not limited to vaccinations, medications, and other medical care under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Investigates animal cruelty complaints.
• Issues warning notices and civil citations.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports using a computer.
• Collects evidence, including photographs for court process and acts as witness or plaintiff on behalf of the City.
• Performs euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Reports to work location during emergency circumstances such as actual and anticipated natural and man-made disasters.
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database, and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment.
• Operates a motor vehicle.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the applicable laws, techniques, methods, and procedures used in animal code enforcement, animal capture, restraint, and care.
• Knowledge of geographical area of Duval County.
• Knowledge of Florida State Statutes and City ordinances relating to animal care and control.
• Skills in apprehending animals, including animals of a vicious nature.
• Ability to remain calm in unusual and difficult situations.
• Ability to respond to and resolve complaints relating to animal care and control.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports using a computer.
• Ability to compute arithmetic calculations of whole numbers and decimals.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret state and local animal laws and regulations.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to perform euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, digital camera, animal capture and microchip scanning equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to apprehend, restrain and lift large and sometimes dangerous animals weighing 50 pounds or more onto a truck using animal control equipment.

Open Requirements/Supplemental Information

• Two (2) years of education and/or experience in enforcement of animal care and control laws; compliance inspections or enforcement activities relating to laws, or other local, state, or federal code violations; or customer complaint and resolution;

• Or be certified through any state or national animal control association

• And have at least one year of experience working in an animal related field.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• Florida Animal Control Officer Certification must be obtained within twelve months and must be maintained during employment in this class. Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained prior to completion of probation and must be maintained.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license during employment in this class.

• Must qualify for, obtain, and maintain a City of Jacksonville public driver certification for employment in this class.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• The probationary period for this class is twelve months.

• This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville's Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).

• ACPS is part of the City of Jacksonville's emergency response operations. When pet friendly emergency shelters are open, all full-time employees are required to report and carry out duties as assigned for the duration of the emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply atwww.jacksonville.gov. Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blacked out, is required with your application. U.S. transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school's name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred. Transcripts outside the U.S. must be converted to U.S. standards.

The application system works best with Google Chrome or Edge with Chromium web browsers.Please try to apply using one of these browsers. To ensure you receive email notifications, be sure to make "info@governmentjobs.com" a trusted sender. You may also track the status of your application and see notifications by logging into your account. For further information regarding the application process. please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the website.

Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

If claiming veterans preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here:http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference.

If a candidate believes he or she was not afforded veteran's preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

Attention: Veterans' Preference Coordinator

11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K

Largo, FL 33778-1630

Email:VeteransPreference@fdva.state.fl.us

The City of Jacksonville provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents; a 457(b) tax-deferred compensation plan to supplement your retirement, and a ROTH IRA plan. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes a health intervention program if qualified, lunch and learns, health fairs, and discounted gym memberships. Please visit the Employee Benefits website for details on all the plans we offer.

www.coj.net/benefits

01

This questionnaire will be used as part of the application and screening process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to provide truthful, complete, and verifiable answers to this questionnaire?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship from the City of Jacksonville either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

03

The budgeted annual salary for this position is $44,942.30 . This is not negotiable. If selected, would you be willing to accept this position at this salary? (Civil Service positions have a 5% increase after successfully completing probation.)

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires a rotating schedule. A portion of the schedule may involve working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Are you able to commit to this type of schedule?

• I am able to work this type of schedule.
• I am able to work evenings and weekends only.
• I am able to work Monday - Friday only.
• None of the above.

05

ACPS is part of the City of Jacksonvilles emergency response operations. When pet friendly emergency shelters are open, all full-time employees are required to report and carry out duties as assigned for the duration of the emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice. Are you able to comply with this requirement?

• I will be able to work during an emergency.
• I have circumstances that would prohibit me from working during an emergency.
• None of the above.

06

If you are using volunteer experience to meet the minimum requirements for this position, please be advised that we can only consider it if you committed 20 hours or more per week. To determine your eligibility, you must provide the exact breakdown of your hours below. Failure to provide these details will result in your volunteer experience being excluded from consideration. Please provide the following details: 1. Your Typical Weekly Schedule: (e.g., Monday-Thursday, 9 AM-2 PM) 2. Average Weekly Hours: On average, how many hours per week did you physically work? 3. Duration: For how many consecutive months did you maintain this 20+ hour-per-week schedule? Note: This information is essential to determining your eligibility and may be verified prior to hire.

07

If you have a degree, indicate which degree you have and include any major/minor. If basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript is required with your application.

08

Do you have a minimum of two (2) years of education and/or experience in enforcement of animal care and control laws; compliance inspections or enforcement activities relating to laws, or other local, state, or federal code violations; or customer compliant and resolution or be certified through an state or national animal control association?

• Two or more years of education and/or related experience.
• Less than two years of education and/or experience.
• My experience is in another field.

09

In which area do you have experience?

• Enforcement of animal care and control laws.
• Compliance inspections or enforcement activities relating to laws, or other local, state, or federal code violations.
• Customer compliant and resolution.
• Certified through a state or national animal control association.
• Two or more of the above.
• None of the above.

10

Provide a detailed description (at least 3-4 complete sentences) of your experience. (Note: This MUST also be listed on your resume/application to receive credit.)

11

Indicate the organization(s) where you gained this experience. (Note: This MUST also be listed on your resume/application to receive credit.)

12

If you are certified through a state or national animal control association, please indicate where you are certified. A copy of your certification is required with your application.

13

Do you have at least one year of experience working in an animal related field?

• Yes
• No

14

Provide a detailed description (at least 3-4 complete sentences) of your experience. (Note: This MUST also be listed on your resume/application to receive credit.)

15

Indicate the organization(s) where you gained this experience. (Note: This MUST also be listed on your resume/application to receive credit.)

16

An Officer Certification (FL Animal Control Association) must be obtained within twelve months and must be maintained during employment in this class.

• I have read the above statement and understand what is required.

17

Euthanasia Technician Certification is required to be obtained during the probation period and must be maintained throughout employment. Are you willing to obtain this certification?

• Yes, I am willing to obtain this certification.
• I currently possess a valid Euthanasia Technician certification.
• None of the above.

18

Do you understand the work is performed in an animal shelter environment, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of vicious, ill, infectious, and rabid animals, and exposure to offensive odors, chemicals, and other airborne nuisances?

• Yes
• No

19

Do you understand that you will be required to safely and humanely lift, handle, or restrain animals, including injured, fractious and non-socialized animals, weighing 50 pounds or more which may be of an unpredictable, potentially dangerous nature?

• Yes, I am able to lift 50 pounds or more.
• I am able to lift up to 45 pounds.
• I am able to lift up to 30 pounds
• I am able to lift up to 20 pounds.
• None of the above.

20

Do you understand the physical demands consist mainly of sitting, standing, walking, transporting animals, and lifting and controlling animals and/or objects weighing 50 pounds or more?

• Yes
• No

21

Do you understand this position cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, animal runs, receiving areas and holding areas?

• Yes
• No

22

Do you understand this classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonvilles Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401)?

• Yes, I have read and understand the statement above.
• No

23

Do you have a valid motor vehicle operator license that is not under suspension/revocation or restricted under any pending or current citations/court proceedings? Please indicate which license you possess.

• FL Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class C Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• FL Class E Driver License
• GA Standard Drivers License
• GA Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• GA Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• GA Class C Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• License from another State.
• Learner Permit
• My license is currently invalid.
• I do not possess any type of Drivers License.

24

If you have a State of FL license, does your license currently have one or more of these restrictions?

• C or 1 - Business Purpose Only
• D or H - Employment Purposes
• P or 2 - Probation Interlock Device
• S or I - Other Restriction
• Two or more of these restrictions.
• I have an out of state license.
• None of the above.

25

Have you been cited for more than three (3) moving violations, or two (2) at fault accidents within the past 12 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

26

Have you been considered a "Habitual Traffic Offender" (HTO) within the past 12 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

27

Have you been convicted of Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) in any state during the last 36 months from current date?

• Yes
• No

28

I consent to the City of Jacksonville using the drivers license information I have provided to access a drivers license report from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. I understand if one was accessed with relation to this application, a copy will be provided to me upon request.

• Yes, the City of Jacksonville has my consent to check my drivers license.
• No, I do not wish to give consent to the City of Jacksonville to check my drivers license.
• I do not possess a valid drivers license.

29

Provide your full Drivers License or Identification number. For out of state license, please include the state. PLEASE NOTE: Florida driver's license numbers are changing. Provide your most recently issued number. If a correct number is not provided, your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

30

If you are requesting veterans preference, you MUST download the appropriate state of Florida form (even if you dont live in Florida) and attach it to your application. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DELAY YOUR VETERANS PREFERENCE STATUS. Please download the forms at http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference

• Yes, I am claiming veterans preference and I understand that I MUST download the appropriate form and attach it to my application.
• No, I am not claiming veterans preference and this does not apply to me.

31

If basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript is required with your application. College transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the name of the school, type of degree, classes taken, grades received and date degree was conferred. NOTE: A copy of your diploma does not meet this requirement. Transcripts from colleges outside of the U.S. must be converted to U.S. Standards. If required documents are not provided your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

• I have read the above statement and understand what is required.

Required Question

Employer City of Jacksonville

Address 117 W. Duval St.

Suite 100

Jacksonville, Florida, 32202

Website http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services.aspx