Animal Control Officer

Jefferson County•Golden, CO

2d•$27 - $40

About The Position

The Animal Control Officer performs general law enforcement work to ensure compliance with county ordinances and state statutes concerning animal welfare and control. The role responds to complaints and service requests, investigates alleged animal cruelty and neglect, animal bites, and dangerous-animal cases, and uses conflict resolution and crisis intervention when working with citizens. The officer educates the public about domestic and wildlife issues, conducts outreach, and demonstrates public and officer safety practices along with humane animal capture and containment. The position patrols assigned county areas, responds to animal-related calls, and may assist with emergencies, traffic incidents, park emergencies, and emergency preparedness efforts. It also involves case follow-up, enforcement of court-imposed sanctions, report and evidence preparation, court testimony, permit and license processing, equipment maintenance, and collaboration with other agencies. The role is scheduled for 40 hours per week and offers an hourly salary range of $26.70 to $40.05.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years of age by the hire date.
Pass a pre-hire background investigation.
Within 12 months of employment, obtain commission as a Bureau of Animal Protection Agent (Peace Officer) and state certification from the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado (AWAC).
Complete continuing education prescribed by BAP/AWAC and attend annual sheriff’s office in-service training.
Successfully complete recertification in perishable skills, including OC, ASP baton, Taser, driving, First Aid, and CPR, on a rotating schedule.
Qualify quarterly in chemical capture (tranquilizer) weapons.
Have a GED or high school diploma.
Have a minimum of one year of work experience.

Nice To Haves

Prior animal control or law enforcement experience.

Responsibilities

Respond to complaints involving leash law violations, aggressive or nuisance behavior, and barking; interview involved parties, take appropriate enforcement action, and attempt to mediate and de-escalate disputes.
Investigate misdemeanor animal bites, cruelty, and neglect; interview suspects and witnesses, collect evidence, and take appropriate enforcement action.
Conduct preliminary investigations of felony animal cruelty, animal fighting, and dangerous-dog cases.
Patrol an assigned county area in a marked patrol vehicle and may patrol on foot or bicycle, including hiking.
Capture and confine stray, deceased, sick, injured, or nuisance domestic animals, wildlife, and livestock; return identifiable animals to owners.
Perform humane euthanasia on injured, sick, or rabies-suspect wildlife.
Complete administrative work, including activity logs, paperwork scanning, inventory, equipment maintenance, dispatcher support, and processing dog license or permit applications.
Maintain a caseload of cruelty, neglect, and dangerous-dog cases; conduct follow-up and enforce court-imposed sanctions.
Monitor compliance with applicable rules and regulations and determine when reinvestigation is necessary.
Assist the patrol division at emergencies and traffic accidents, use emergency equipment, control traffic, and support Park Rangers during in-park emergencies.
Participate in emergency preparedness and response, including training, animal and human evacuations, and other emergency management efforts.
Issue summonses and prepare complex investigative reports; collaborate with the District Attorney’s office and provide follow-up information.
Organize statements and evidence for court, attend proceedings, present evidence and testimony, and release evidence at the conclusion of cases.
Answer public inquiries about laws, ordinances, and human-wildlife conflicts; prepare presentations and attend outreach events.
Provide technical assistance and facilitate internal education and training for the patrol division and other agencies.
Collaborate with mental health co-responders, adult protective services, and other agencies; provide crisis intervention as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.