Animal Service Officer I, (B272931-8), 204, Animal Control

City of Laredo • Laredo, TX

5d

About The Position

The Animal Service Officer I responds to dispatched calls involving stray, injured, or aggressive animals; enforces Chapter 6 ordinances and Texas statutes; and performs humane animal capture, transport, and shelter intake. The position educates the public about responsible pet ownership and maintains accurate digital records, working under the guidance of the Field Services Supervisor or an Animal Service Officer II.

The officer investigates complaints and potential ordinance violations, may issue warnings or citations, and assists veterinary and kennel teams with animal care. The role uses approved animal-handling equipment and technology, follows dispatch and officer-safety protocols, and includes routine checks and restocking of vehicles and equipment. The employee must drive a City vehicle for City business and perform other duties as assigned.

Employment requires a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of general experience in animal care, enforcement, or social work. A valid Texas Driver License is required; an employee with an out-of-state license must obtain a Texas license within six months of employment. Within six months of hire, the employee must obtain an Animal Control Officer Certification from NACA or an equivalent state-level program, Euthanasia Certification, and First Aid & CPR for Animals Certifications. Continued employment is contingent on obtaining these credentials. A background check, certified school transcripts, and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing are required; safety-sensitive positions are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalency.
• At least one year of general experience in animal care, enforcement, or social work.
• Valid Texas Driver License; applicants with an out-of-state license must obtain a Texas Driver License within six months of employment.
• Obtain an Animal Control Officer Certification from NACA or a state-level equivalent program within six months of employment.
• Obtain Euthanasia Certification within six months of employment.
• Obtain First Aid & CPR for Animals Certifications within six months of employment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English orally and in writing, and in Spanish orally.
• Ability to maintain a good driving record and comply with City of Laredo policies and procedures.
• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work and maintain the health and physical condition needed to perform the job duties.
• Ability to handle conflict and de-escalate aggressive or tense situations; provide customer service and public presentations.
• Ability to maintain sanitary areas, accurately enter data, analyze information, write reports, and manage files.
• Ability to use smartphones and tablets, follow directions, plan and organize work, and maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of situational awareness, radio procedures, inventory tracking, preventive maintenance, zoonosis awareness, basic veterinary-technician procedures, safe animal handling, basic legal operations, equipment use, and defensive driving.
• Applicants with education completed outside the United States must submit a qualifying foreign credential evaluation verifying U.S. degree equivalency.
• Applicants offered employment must complete a thorough background check and provide certified school transcripts; pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is required, with random testing for safety-sensitive positions.

Responsibilities

• Humanely capture, restrain, and transport stray, injured, or aggressive animals using approved equipment such as a catchpole, net, or trap.
• Investigate citizen complaints and potential ordinance violations and issue warnings or citations.
• Assist veterinary and kennel teams with vaccination, microchipping, medication, quarantine, feeding, and cleaning.
• Educate residents about vaccination, licensing, bite prevention, and humane animal care; participate in school and HOA outreach.
• Maintain detailed digital call logs and evidence photographs in shelter-management software such as PetPoint.
• Operate a radio, GPS tablet, and body camera, and follow dispatch and officer-safety protocols.
• Perform routine vehicle and equipment checks, identify maintenance needs, and restock personal protective equipment.
• Drive a City vehicle for City business.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED