1

Animal Control Officer Trainee Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Vero Beach, FL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Animal Control Officer Under general supervision, enforces City animal control ordinances, traps stray or nuisance animals and wildlife, issues warnings and citations; and performs related duties as ...

Animal Control Officer I

Naples, FL ยท On-site

$22.18/hr

Animal Control Officer I Print ( Apply ๏ปฟ Animal Control Officer I Salary $22.18 Hourly Location Davis Blvd, Naples, FL Job Type Full Time, Regular Job Number 08698 Department Public Services ...

Animal Control Officer Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the reflects the full pay range for this ...

New

We're looking for a dedicated Animal Control Officer to join our team - someone who's not afraid to get their hands dirty (or fur-covered) to protect animals and people. This role isn't just about ...

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Vero Beach, FL ยท On-site

$21.86 - $22.73/hr

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS Under general supervision, enforces City animal control ordinances, traps stray or nuisance animals and wildlife, issues warnings and citations; and performs related duties as ...

Animal Control Officer I

Naples, FL ยท On-site

$22.18/hr

We're looking for a dedicated Animal Control Officer to join our team - someone who's not afraid to get their hands dirty (or fur-covered) to protect animals and people. This role isn't just about ...

Animal Control Officer I

Naples, FL ยท On-site

$22.18/hr

We're looking for a dedicated Animal Control Officer to join our team - someone who's not afraid to get their hands dirty (or fur-covered) to protect animals and people. This role isn't just about ...

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Vero Beach, FL ยท On-site

$21.86 - $22.73/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Knowledge of animal behavior and control techniques, including euthanasia. * Knowledge of effective customer service/public relations practices and procedures. * Knowledge of occupational hazards and ...

Animal Control Officer II

Crestview, FL ยท On-site

$49K - $80K/yr

Requires a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as required by Florida law (F.S 828.27). Requires a Florida approved Euthanasia Technician certification ...

Animal Control Officer II

Crestview, FL ยท On-site

$49K - $80K/yr

Requires a Florida Animal Control Association approved Animal Control Officer Certification as required by Florida law (F.S. 828.27). Requires a Florida approved Euthanasia Technician certification ...

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Vero Beach, FL ยท On-site

$21.86 - $22.73/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Knowledge of animal behavior and control techniques, including euthanasia. * Knowledge of effective customer service/public relations practices and procedures. * Knowledge of occupational hazards and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Animal Control Officer Trainee information

How hard is it to get into animal control officer trainee?

Getting into an animal control officer trainee position typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and sometimes a background check. Relevant skills include good communication, physical fitness, and knowledge of animal handling; some agencies may also require or prefer certification in animal control or related fields. Competition can vary based on location and available openings, but meeting basic requirements is usually straightforward for qualified candidates.

What is the difference between Animal Control Officer Trainee vs Animal Control Officer?

AspectAnimal Control Officer TraineeAnimal Control Officer
Required CertificationsBasic animal handling and safety training, sometimes state-specific certificationsSame as trainee, plus experience and additional certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentSupervised, training-focused, fieldwork with animals and public interactionsIndependent fieldwork, enforcement, and animal rescue activities
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position in animal control departments, shelters, or municipal agenciesFull-time role with more responsibilities, often after completing trainee period

Animal Control Officer Trainee is an entry-level position designed to provide training and experience, while Animal Control Officer is a fully qualified role with greater responsibilities. Trainees typically work under supervision, gaining skills needed for the officer position. Both roles are essential in animal control services, with the trainee position serving as a stepping stone to becoming an officer.

What is an animal control officer trainee?

Animal Control Officer Trainees are entry-level professionals who learn how to enforce animal-related laws and regulations, respond to animal emergencies, and educate the public about responsible pet ownership. They work under the supervision of experienced officers to gain hands-on experience with animal handling, investigation, and safety procedures. Their training prepares them for a full Animal Control Officer role, where they will protect both the community and animals from harm or neglect.

What are common challenges faced by animal control officer trainees during training?

Animal Control Officer Trainees often encounter challenges such as becoming comfortable handling a wide variety of animals, some of which may be aggressive or frightened. Trainees must quickly learn local animal control laws, safe capture techniques, and proper use of equipment. Additionally, adapting to emotionally charged situations, like dealing with distressed pet owners or cases of animal cruelty, can be demanding. However, trainees are typically supported by experienced officers and receive on-the-job training to help them build confidence and competence in the field.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an animal control officer trainee?

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer Trainee, you need a basic understanding of animal behavior, safety procedures, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal restraint tools, incident reporting systems, and sometimes completion of relevant training or certification programs is beneficial. Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills help in interacting with the public and handling stressful situations. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring public safety, humane animal treatment, and effective enforcement of animal regulations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Control Officer jobs in Florida? The most popular types of Animal Control Officer jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Animal Control Officer Trainee jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Animal Control Officer Trainee job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer Trainee job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

City of Vero Beach, Florida

Vero Beach, FL โ€ข On-site

Other

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Animal Control Officer

Under general supervision, enforces City animal control ordinances, traps stray or nuisance animals and wildlife, issues warnings and citations; and performs related duties as assigned.

The following duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

  • Patrols community to identify stray and/or nuisance animals, captures and transports animals to Humane Society.
  • Euthanizes sick or seriously injured animals.
  • Issues warnings and citations for code violations.
  • Meets with citizen groups to provide educational programs.

Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules and ordinances related to animal control operations.

Knowledge of animal behavior and control techniques, including euthanasia.

Knowledge of effective customer service/public relations practices and procedures.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety practices applicable to animal control operations.

Ability to safely operate assigned vehicle, tools and equipment needed to perform work.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Exposure to potential physical harm, infectious disease, wild and domestic animals, and hazardous chemicals.

On-call twenty-four (24) hours for emergencies.

City vehicle, radio, animal control tools (wand, darts, etc.).

Graduation from High School or equivalent and one (1) year of experience working with animals and public contact; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License, Class D.