Full-Time
Animal Control Enforcement Officer
Posted on 8/18/2026
Deadline 8/5/27
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Compensation Overview
$47.8k - $65.1k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Winter Haven, FL, USA
In Person
The role involves field work, shift work, and possible emergency call-outs.
Category
 Facilities Operations (1) |
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Required Skills
First Aid
Public Speaking
Customer Service
Requirements
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
- A valid Florida driver's license is required.
- A Florida notary commission is required.
- Successful completion of a minimum 40-hour standards training course approved by the Florida Animal Control Association is required.
- Successful completion of state-approved euthanasia training is required.
- Certification must be maintained as required by Florida State Statutes.
- Successful completion of chemical immobilization training is required.
- Customer service, public contact, or animal/kennel-related work experience is required; a comparable amount of training and experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications.
- The employee must be available for standby, emergency call-outs, and shift work.
- The employee must carry a pager or cell phone when on or off duty.
- The employee must read and write English and speak English understandably.
- The employee must be able to operate a motor vehicle, read a map, control animals, respond to emergency situations, perform under stressful conditions, and work independently.
- The employee must complete prescribed inoculations for pre-rabies vaccines.
- The employee must be able to walk; lift, carry, push, or pull 70 pounds; sit and stand for long periods; see and hear at normal range or with accommodation; use manual dexterity; ambulate independently; run; climb; stoop; bend; kneel; crawl; recognize colors; and control animals.
- Knowledge of PCSO policy and procedure, safety rules and regulations, general animal care, animal-control ordinances and procedures, chemical immobilization techniques, notary laws, Florida animal statutes, resources, first-aid procedures, animal diseases, rabies control, judicial procedures, and the geographical area is required.
Responsibilities
- Advise citizens on animal ownership and inform the public about animal-control regulations and complaint procedures.
- Obtain animal-bite information.
- Act as a liaison between complaint parties.
- Locate reported stray animals and animal owners.
- Check for rabies tags.
- Ensure enforcement of regulations and ordinances.
- Issue citations and summonses and act as a witness in court.
- Investigate calls and complaints.
- Prepare animals for rabies testing.
- Destroy or dispose of unwanted or diseased animals and collect animal carcasses.
- Assist with the redemption of animals to the public.
- Assist with boarding-area maintenance and perform kennel duties.
- Prepare forms and reports.
- Assist with central-office duties, attend meetings, and perform required clerical duties.
- Perform chemical immobilization.
- Interact positively and cooperate with coworkers, respond politely to customers, work as a team member, function under intense time pressure, and respond positively to supervision.