Animal Control Officer (General Services Department)
Salary
$45,033.00 - $54,062.00 Annually
Location
Detroit, Michigan, MI
Job Type
Certified-Regular Civil Service
Job Number
20262339021GSDJS
Department
General Services
Division
Detroit Animal Care & Control
Opening Date
10/22/2026
Closing Date
10/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit
8180-Teamsters Local 214 NonCraft Unit Health Anim
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Description
GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT - DETROIT ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL DIVISION
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Under immediate supervision, promotes public safety and health, enforces animal care and control laws, and provides a variety of animal care and control services in the City of Detroit.
Examples of Duties
Enforcement
- Enforce local Chapter 6 ordinances, such as leash laws, licensing, vaccinations, quarantining, dangerous dog, and barking dog ordinances.
- Patrol assigned area in an animal control vehicle to ensure compliance with animal control regulations and respond to routine and emergency calls.
- Assess reported or observed violations of animal control regulations, make determinations, and take required action such as issuing citations.
- Provide field services including capturing domestic and wild animals, examining injured and ill animals to select treatment disposition, and removing animals from a variety of hazardous situations.
- Investigate complaints regarding violations of city animal control ordinances and provide documentation of these investigations.
- Prepare records and reports and enter data into a software system using a computer.
- Gather evidence on animal care cases, including photographs, video recordings, and other information for presentation in court.
- Maintain legal chain-of-custody for evidentiary materials.
- Testify in court on cases pertaining to violations of animal regulatory ordinances.
- Prepare specimens for rabies testing.
- Use department issued equipment, operate a variety of communications equipment, and report equipment damage.
Customer Service
- Provide information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, impoundment, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, and adoptions.
- Collect fees for animal quarantine, impound, licensing services, and other services.
- Assist with front office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public.
Animal Care
- Perform animal care duties such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, segregating and isolating animals when necessary, detect disease or injury in animals, perform minor medical treatments on animals as necessary per DACC training, and assist the veterinarian with vaccinations and inspections of animals.
- Perform euthanasia or assist with handling during euthanasia.
- Clean and disinfect kennel areas, vehicles, and equipment.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School graduation or G.E.D.
Experience
- One year experience in caring for animals.
Licensing and Certifications
Must possess Animal Control Officer certification by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, having completed and submitted 100 hours of training, or willing to become certified as an Animal Control Officer within six months of hire.
Must possess certification by a Michigan State Licensed Veterinarian to perform euthanasia by injection, or willing to become certified in euthanasia by injection within one year of hire.
Completion of Emergency Preparedness training to include, but not limited to FEMA ISC 100, 200, 700 and 800 and others as required by department staff. To ensure standards for privacy, certification in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required within 30 days of hire.
Employees in this class are required to operate a motor vehicle; valid State of Michigan Operator License required.
Pursuant to MCL section 287.289b:
(1) The board of county commissioners shall adopt minimum employment standards relative to the recruitment, selection and appointment of animal control officers. The minimum standards shall include:
(a) Requirements for physical, educational, mental and moral fitness.
(b) A minimum course of study of not less than 100 instructional hours as prescribed by the department of agriculture.
(2) Subdivision (b) shall not apply if the animal control officer is a police officer or has served at least 3 years as an animal control officer.
Supplemental Information
Evaluation Plan
- Interview: 70%
- Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
- Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%
Additional points may be awarded for:
- Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
- Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points
LRD: 10/20/2026
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of shelter animal care and kennel care, decontamination, and contagions in a shelter environment.
- Knowledge of applicable laws and ordinances related to animal care and control.
- Skill in understanding and following written instructions.
- Skill in transmitting clear, concise and accurate verbal and written reports.
- Skill in the safe and proper use of animal capture equipment which includes, but is not limited to traps, leashes, and stretchers.
- Skill in safe and proper use of animal handling techniques.
- Skill in determining the most direct route to and from calls for service as well as destination shelter and veterinary facilities.
- Skill in performing intake and other basic tasks such as vaccinating animals, assessing vital signs, restraining for veterinary care, and basic animal grooming necessary for hygienic purposes.
- Ability to effectively interact with stray and injured animals, the public, veterinarians, and Public Safety personnel.
- Ability to use a handheld, desktop, or laptop computer and learn specialized workplace software.
- Ability to prepare written and oral reports of a technical nature.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness in handling difficult problems.
- Ability to react quickly and maintain emotional stability and mental awareness under stressful conditions.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks and prioritize competing priorities.
- Ability to transport, capture, and appropriately handle animals.
- Ability to recognize behavioral signals of animals that indicate fear or aggressiveness.
- Ability to distinguish animal type, animal color, and breed type.
- Ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture.
Physical Demands
- While performing field-related duties, the employee is frequently required to lift up to 60 lbs. without assistance, restrain or control aggressive animals, sit, stand, walk, run, and move freely.
Work Environment
The noise level may be quiet or very loud.
Though applicable safety procedures are documented and utilized, the employee may be exposed to unsanitary or unhygienic materials, individuals, animals, and situations in the course of performing duties.
Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:
HEALTH
- Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
- Dental
- Vision
INSURANCE
- Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
- Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.
PAID TIME OFF
- Sick Leave
- Vacation
- Holidays
OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
- Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
- At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
- At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
- In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
- An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
- Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed (you MUST attached a copy to your online application):
- High School Diploma/GED
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
- PhD/J.D.
- No education experience
02
How many years of experience do you have caring for animals?
- Less than 1 year of experience
- 1 - 5 years of experience
- 5 - 10 years of experience
- 10 or more years of experience
- No experience
03
Describe your experience with caring for animals.
04
Describe your knowledge of the principles and practices of shelter animal care and kennel care, decontamination, and contagions in a shelter environment.
05
Do you possess an Animal Control Officer certification by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development?
- YES - you must submit a copy with your application.
- NO - you must become certified as an Animal Control Officer within six months of hire.
06
Do you possess certification by the Michigan State Licensed Veterinarian to perform euthanasia by injection?
- YES - you must submit a copy with your application
- NO - you must be willing to become certified in euthanasia by injection within one year of hire
07
Are there any of these required certifications or trainings that you do not currently possess or that may prevent you from meeting the required timeframe?
- Must possess Animal Control Officer certification by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, having completed and submitted 100 hours of training, or willing to become certified as an Animal Control Officer within six months of hire.
- Completion of Emergency Preparedness training to include, but not limited to FEMA ISC 100, 200, 700 and 800 and others as required by department staff. To ensure standards for privacy, certification in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required within 30 days of hire.
- Must possess certification by a Michigan State Licensed Veterinarian to perform euthanasia by injection, or willing to become certified in euthanasia by injection within one year of hire.
08
Do you have a valid State of Michigan Operator License?
09
Did you attach your cover letter, updated resume and certification to your application?
Required Question
Employer City of Detroit
Address Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave ste 316
Detroit, Michigan, 48226
Website http://www.detroitmi.gov/Detroit-Opportunities/Find-A-Job