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
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED
- Some experience with animals
- Knowledge of a wide variety of animal species, animal first aid, animal care and nutrition, humane capture tools and techniques, animal behavior, public relations, cruelty investigation procedures, and law enforcement.
- Emotional stability
- Interpersonal skills
- Physical agility and stamina
Nice To Haves
- Experience with animals
- College degree
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
