Animal Control Officer
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
May 11, 2026

JOB TITLE:            Animal Control Officer

PAY GRADE:         109

PAY RANGE:         $20.91/HR - $28.21/HR, $43,492.80 - $58,676.80 annualized

JOB TYPE:             Full time, non-exempt, working 12 -hour shifts based upon mission needs. Requires on-call availability nights, weekends, and holidays.

JOB LOCATION:   Citrus County, FL                          

REPORTS TO:       Animal Control Supervisor

NOTE: IF A CURRENT CCSO EMPLOYEE -
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION IS MAY 21, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN HUMAN RESOURCES BY THAT DATE AND TIME. INTERESTED EMPLOYEES SHOULD COMPLETE A REQUEST FOR PROMOTION/TRANSFER FORM AND SUBMIT THROUGH CHAIN OF COMMAND TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION.
 

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE: The Animal Control Officer performs field enforcement, investigation, and public safety functions related to domestic animals and livestock throughout Citrus County. This position is responsible for enforcing county animal control ordinances and state statutes, responding to calls for service, investigating animal related incidents, capturing and securing animals, and supporting law enforcement and public health partners. The role ensures humane treatment, community safety, and compliance with legal and public health standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Monitors and responds to dispatched calls for service. 
• Investigates reports of animal cruelty and vicious animals. 
• Apprehends, controls, and confines loose, unlicensed, injured, abandoned, or dangerous animals-both domestic and livestock.
• Assists the Heath Department in issues regarding bites and possible rabies infection. 
• Enforces animal control ordinance by issuing citations and warnings and prepares reports and affidavits.
• Delivers and retrieves animal traps provided to citizens to trap aggressive and sick/injured animals.
• Testifies at trials, hearings, and depositions. 
• All CCSO employees are considered essential emergency workers and are subject to working in any capacity/hours deemed necessary by the Agency during activations, including but not limited to, in-County and out-of-County deployments.  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve efficiently.
• Ability to be personable, articulate, and courteous.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manuals.
• Working knowledge of computer software programs and Microsoft Office.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Florida Animal Control Officer Certification preferred.
• Experience in animal control or related field preferred.
• Public speaking experience preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Exposure to outdoor environments and hazardous animals.
• Requires lifting a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, and bending.
• Countywide travel in agency vehicle.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must have the legal right to work in the United States. 
• Valid Florida Driver’s License 
• If a current CCSO employee, then no disciplinary actions within the last 12 months and completion of current position time commitment requirement. 

GENERAL PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS: 

• Demonstrates polite, helpful, and courteous behavior, respecting cultural differences, when interacting with the public and colleagues. 
• Responds to supervision, guidance, and direction in a positive, receptive manner.  
• Must be appropriately dressed and groomed.  
• Reports to work promptly and properly prepared, notifying supervisor of intended absences.  
• Acts in a professional manner, following established protocols and procedures.  

An oral board with job-related questions and/or scenarios will be administered on a date specifically set with all potential candidates notified at least three days in advance of the specified date. The oral board passing score will be 80% or higher. The Sheriff reserves the right to make selections from internal or external sources.  

Contact: Human Resources at (352) 341-7429 or humanresources@sheriffcitrus.org for more information.  

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. All hires, transfers, and promotions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital statis, religion, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.  
Drug-Free Workplace