Animal Control Officer
The ideal Animal Control Officer is compassionate, service-oriented, and committed to building positive relationships with the community. They demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and patience when assisting residents, handling sensitive situations, and working with animals in distress. The ideal candidate communicates effectively; exercises sound judgment under pressure and approaches every interaction with a strong focus on public safety, education, and humane care for both animals and people. This position requires an individual who can balance enforcement responsibilities with compassion and understanding. The ideal candidate is approachable, community-focused, and dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership while serving as a trusted resource for the public.
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Responds to complaints concerning animals and takes appropriate action.
- Captures aggressive animals
- Investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect, dog and rooster fighting.
- Operates a motor vehicle in patrolling an assigned area.
- Collects license and quarantine fees and issues receipts for same.
- Explains and enforces pertinent laws relating to animal services and licensing.
- Issues violation notices and Court citations.
- Transports stray, sick, injured or dead animals to an animal services facility.
- Performs humane euthanasia on animals as necessary.
- Assists in receiving, feeding and caring for, or disposing of impounded animals.
- Assists in the cleaning and maintenance of the animal services facility, related vehicles, and equipment.
- Assists the public in claiming or adopting animals.
- Investigates animal-bite cases, obtains all necessary information and initiates proper quarantine or hearing procedures as required.
- Maintains records and files.
- Prepares reports.
- Testifies in court.
- May use tranquilizing equipment and firearms.
- Seeks medical attention for impounded animals.
- May make public presentations.
- Serves on scheduled on-call status.
- May be required to lift and load animals up to 50 lbs.
Core competencies include knowledge of care and feeding of animals, animal health, behavior and proper handling, basic computer operations, appropriate safety precautions and procedures, basic math and record keeping, and federal, state and city laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to animal control. Ability to operate a personal computer and related devices using City-installed software, interpret laws and ordinances, communicate effectively with the public, exercise tact and good judgment in performance of duties, use discretion regarding enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to animals, communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing, deal patiently and effectively with frightened, fractious and injured animals, follow orders and work cooperatively with others, work rotating shifts, holidays, weekends and on-call, deal with emotional issues involving the humane care of animals, control, carry and subdue animals.
Minimum qualifications include any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: One (1) year of experience in the handling of or caring for animals. Education: Equivalent to completion of twelfth (12th) grade. License: Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California Driver's License by the time of appointment. Persons hired must obtain a certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training covering laws of arrest and safety in firearms as described in Chapter 4.5, Section 832 of the Penal Code within 90 days from the date of employment. Person hired must obtain Certification in Humane Euthanasia within 90 day days from the date of employment.
Benefits and rewards may include vacation, paid holidays, health, dental and vision coverage, CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, health and wellness reimbursement, professional development reimbursement, and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid).