Lead Animal Welfare Officer - Animal Services Department - Full-time

**Closing Date: February 20, 2026**

This class enforces State and local animal control laws and ordinances by investigating violation complaints, assisting the public with varied requests, and ensuring the humane handling and treatment of animals to be impounded.

This is a “mandatory-testing” position that requires Drug Testing.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: 

Assists in managing staff

Performs animal control enforcement by responding to and investigating animal complaints, such as animals roaming, nuisances, cruelty, animal bites, and other violations of the animal control ordinances and laws for the County and applicable cities, including processing and prioritizing complaints received via phone, fax, e-mail, or by animal control dispatch instructions 

Assists the public by providing information regarding responsible pet ownership
 
Prepares and maintains a variety of data and statistics in order to create investigation records and gather evidence and information for use in court
 
Interacts with animals by capturing, handling, and transporting stray, sick, injured, diseased, vicious, feral, domesticated, wild, and exotic animals and removing and disposing of deceased animals
 
Performs support functions by maintaining County vehicles and animal control equipment
 
Assists law enforcement by responding to requests for help with evictions, impounds, neglected, mistreated, and abandoned animals and by preparing and presenting cases in court Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Training and Experience:
High School Diploma or Equivalent (G.E.D.) and at least two years of experience in an animal welfare position, one of which was in a supervisory role; or, a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements.
 
Licenses and Certifications:  
Valid driver's license from state of residence
Florida Animal Control Officer Certification
Successful Completion of Escambia County Animal Welfare Officer Training program
 
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in animal care and handling or law enforcement
 
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs):
animal behavior, handling, and husbandry principles and practices
zoonotic diseases
occupational hazards and safe work practices
customer service principles
applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes
emergency disaster response principles and practices
applicable animal capture equipment
hazardous materials handling procedures
providing customer service
communication and interpersonal relations as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
interpret and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations 
handle animals
respond to emergency disasters 
repair and maintain animal capture equipment 
safely operate a motor vehicle
use tools and equipment particular to the trade 
operate personal computer and related software applications (Microsoft Suite)

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

County-wide Employee Responsibilities:
All Escambia County BCC employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Escambia County BCC's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.
 
All Escambia County BCC employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.
 

Emergency Management Responsibilities:
During emergency conditions, the incumbent of this position will automatically be considered an emergency service worker. This employee is subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and is expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

Physical Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, running, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, finger and hand dexterity, as well as repetitive motions.
Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects, and lifting in excess of 100 pounds. 
Incumbents may be subjected to extreme temperatures, intense noises and travel. Incumbent may also be exposed to aggressive animals that may result in bites and scratches from the animal.

Benefits/Compensation Package:
· Medical / Dental / Vision plans
· Prescription coverage
· Employee health clinic
· Employee fitness centers
· Employer-sponsored retirement plan or an investment plan
· Deferred Compensation Plan
· Flexible Spending Account(s)
· Employee Assistance Program
· Annual/Sick Leave or Paid Time Off (PTO)
· Group Life Insurance