Animal Control Officer
About The Position
Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both challenging and rewarding, and it requires handling all kinds of animals, from pets to wildlife. While on duty, animal control officers interact frequently with members of the public. They issue citations and warnings to people for mistreatment of animals in their care and may remove animals from a negligent owner's custody. Officers may also provide educational seminars to the community on topics such as animal welfare and animal-related laws. In the case of wildlife, officers help relocate these animals-many that have been displaced because of habitat loss or that have come into neighborhoods in search of food and shelter.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED
- Some experience with animals
- Knowledge of a wide variety of animal species
- Knowledge of animal first aid
- Knowledge of animal care and nutrition
- Knowledge of humane capture tools and techniques
- Knowledge of animal behavior
- Knowledge of public relations
- Knowledge of cruelty investigation procedures
- Knowledge of law enforcement
- Ability to take adequate safety precautions when working in potentially dangerous situations with unfamiliar and unpredictable animals
- Emotional stability to work with emotions that arise from difficult situations involving animals in neglected, abused, or injured states
- Interpersonal skills to interact with the public and skillfully navigate difficult situations
- Physical agility and stamina to work on their feet for long periods of time, and need to be able to bend, stretch, and climb under or over obstacles
- Ability to safely handle frightened or aggressive animals
- Must be able to complete a pre-employment drug screening, background check, physical and psychological examination.
Nice To Haves
- College degree preferred
- Experience with animals
- Experience investigating and rescuing animals in fight rings
Responsibilities
- Capturing and impounding dangerous or stray animals
- Investigating cases of animal cruelty
- Enforcing licensing laws and other state, county, and city laws and regulations that are applicable to the animal control program.
- Providing expert testimony in court cases
- Rescuing trapped animals
- Writing incident reports
- Providing humane care to animals under their supervision
- Issue citations and warnings to people for mistreatment of animals in their care
- Remove animals from a negligent owner's custody
- Provide educational seminars to the community on topics such as animal welfare and animal-related laws
- Relocate wildlife animals
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
