Animal Control Officer - Fort Myers - Lee County, FL

Description

Salary: $22.00 Hourly
Location : Fort Myers, FL
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 07838KL
Department: Animal Services
Opening Date: 02/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Description
Lee County is seeking a responsible, attentive, and motivated Animal Control Officer to help protect public safety and promote animal welfare throughout the community. This role plays a key part in enforcing animal-related laws, responding to animal control calls, and ensuring the humane handling and care of animals.
You'll work in both field and shelter environments, responding to incidents, educating the public, and supporting a safe and healthy community for residents and animals alike.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can work under pressure, and is passionate about public service and animal welfare.
Duties and Responsibilities
What You Will Do

• Respond to animal control calls, including stray animals, animal bites, aggressive animals, and emergencies
• Enforce State Statutes, County, and City animal control ordinances
• Issue warnings, citations, and summons as appropriate
• Patrol assigned areas to identify violations and ensure compliance with animal control regulations
• Seize and impound animals that are not under proper control
• Conduct investigations related to animal bites, scratches, and other animal-related incidents
• Safely capture, trap, and transport domestic and wild animals, including potentially dangerous animals
• Educate the public on animal control laws, licensing requirements, and responsible pet ownership
• Maintain accurate records, activity logs, citations, and incident reports
• Communicate effectively via radio, phone, and written correspondence
• Provide testimony in court and administrative hearings when required
• Contribute to a safe, professional, and compassionate environment for the public and animals

Education, Experience, Licensing
What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or GED (or equivalent)
• One (1) year of experience in animal handling, enforcement, law enforcement, or a related field
• Driving is required; must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

Required Certifications (must possess or obtain):

• Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) Certified Animal Control Officer
• FACA Euthanasia Certification

Certifications must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.
Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field
• Two (2) or more years of experience in animal control, animal handling, law enforcement, or military service

Supplemental Information
Why Join Us?
This is a challenging and rewarding public safety role where your work directly impacts the community. You will:

• Help protect residents from unsafe animal-related situations
• Promote humane treatment and responsible ownership of animals
• Gain specialized training and certifications in animal control enforcement
• Work as part of a dedicated team committed to public safety and animal welfare
• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of both people and animals

This position involves a high degree of responsibility, uncertainty, and potential hazard, and may include exposure to emotionally demanding situations.
Shift Details & Training

• Initial training will take place during daytime hours
• Upon completion of training, officers will transition to night shift operations
• Regular shift: 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM
• Rotating on-call emergency shifts: 11:30 PM - 8:00 AM
• Days off vary based on operational needs (Friday-Saturday or Sunday-Monday), with at least one weekend day off

About the Department
Lee County Domestic Animal Services is dedicated to protecting public health and safety through effective animal control and shelter services. The department enforces animal-related laws, reunites lost pets with their owners, provides care and adoption services for animals in need, and educates the community on responsible pet ownership. Through enforcement, outreach, and collaboration, the department works to create a safer and more compassionate community for people and animals.
About Lee County:
Lee County is located in beautiful Southwest Florida and is home to over 800,000 residents. We are dedicated to serving our community with high-quality services and a focus on sustainability and innovation. Join us in making Lee County a great place to live, work, and visit. Find out more about Lee County at
EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:
All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this classification. All positions are subject to a criminal background check. A conviction in and of itself may not necessarily preclude employment. Some positions may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply.
Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive, and affordable benefits package. Our Board works in the best interest of employees and strives to provide the most complete, high-quality benefits package available at the lowest possible cost to the employee. Our Board continues to remain steadfast in maintaining one of the lowest levels of employee costs in our area.
Lee County's benefits package is offered to both regular Full-time positions and Part-time positions that are regularly scheduled to work 60 hours or more bi-weekly. Medical benefits may be offered to On-Call, Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern employees who meet the Affordable Care Act eligibility criteria.
Lee County employees eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) are required to contribute 3% of each paycheck to FRS. If you have retired from the Florida Retirement Pension plan you will not be eligible for renewed membership in either of the FRS retirement plan options. Retirees of the Investment Plan are eligible for renewed membership in the Investment Plan only. FRS reemployment rules apply for both.
Below is a brief breakdown of what's included in the benefits package that is offered to our employees.
For a more detailed look into our benefits package, please click visit our webpage at
To view our employee paid premiums, please visit:
Health Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Plans include, but are not limited to: routine, preventative, mental health, hospitalization, and prescription drug benefits.

• Vision, Fitness, Weight Management, Natural Products and Services, and Hearing discount programs available.

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Medical Reimbursement Account

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

• Pharmacy, including Mail-Order Pharmacy

• Informed Health Lines (Nurse Hotline)

• Basic Life Insurance (1x or 2x Annual Salary at no cost to employee)

• Optional Life Insurance

• Long-Term Disability (60% of pre-disability salary at no cost to employee)

• Short-Term Disability

• Sick Leave Pool

• Flu vaccinations

• Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS)

• Two Retirement Plan Options:
1) FRS Pension Plan (Defined Benefit)
2) FRS Investment Plan (Defined Contribution)

• Deferred Compensation (457) Plans

• Financial Savings/Management Programs

• Eligible for membership with Suncoast Credit Union

• Employee Leave Benefits

• Holiday Pay - 11 Paid Holidays Annually

• Paid Sick Leave

• Paid Vacation Leave

• Bereavement & Civic Duty Leave

• Family and Medical Leave

• Military Family & Medical Leave

• Educational Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Services available to employees that offers guidance, support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Confidential and provided at no charge to employees and their dependents.
United Way Lee County Employee Resource Program)
Lee County BOCC has partnered with United Way 211 to provide an Employee Resource Program which assists BoCC employees who may be experiencing distress due to economic hardship, health or other factors.
Educational Assistance
Reimbursement for coursework taken at an accredited college or university that is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the official duties that the employees perform.
01
Do you have one year of experience in animal handling, enforcement, law enforcement, or a related field? (Be sure to include this experience in the Work History section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

02
Are you able to obtain Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) Certification in Euthanasia and FACA Certified Animal Control Officer certification within one year of hire?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you able to work the night shift from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM with rotating on-call emergency shifts from 11:30 PM to 8:00 AM?

• Yes
• No