Animal Control Officer II

Animal Control Officer II Salary and Job Description

Animal Control Officer II Salary: $54,783.50 - $77,085.89 Annually Location: Sacramento, CA Job Type: Full-Time Career Job Number: 003601-26-CDD Department: Community Development Division Animal Care Administration Opening Date: 01/01/2026 Closing Date: Continuous

Benefits and Requirements

Application cut-off dates are the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Animal Control Officer II coordinates and performs a variety of animal control and compliance functions, including patrolling assigned areas; monitoring and enforcing animal control regulations; responding to animal control inquiries and complaints from the public; issuing citations and warnings; and performing all animal-related public safety and health duties.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a journey level classification in the Animal Control Officer series. At the discretion of the appointing authority, positions in this classification may be flexibly-staffed, and are usually filled by advancement from the lower level Animal Control Officer I classification. Appointment to the II level requires that the employee performs the full range of duties of the class and meets the qualification standards for the class. Work in this class is distinguished from that of Animal Control Officer I by a greater understanding of the laws and ordinances related to animal control and compliance and complexity of the assignments received. The Animal Control Officer II is distinguished from the Senior Animal Control Officer in that the latter performs the full, first-line supervisory duties such as plan, evaluate, and assign the work of subordinates.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This classification receives technical and functional supervision from a Senior Animal Control Officer. This classification may train and lead others engaged in similar work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate reports of animal cruelty, nuisances, and potentially dangerous animals
• Communicate with and advise owners of loose animals
• Patrol City streets, neighborhoods, and/or other designated areas in order to monitor, remove, transport, and locate stray, vicious, trapped, injured, and/or dead animals
• Rescue and impound stray animals; use remote chemical immobilization equipment; vaccinate, photograph, and process impounded animals prior to kenneling
• Transport injured animals to veterinary hospitals for treatment
• Assist law enforcement personnel and other agencies by taking animals into custody due to death, emergencies, arrests, and/or police investigations
• May be required to forcibly enter a residence to obtain an animal
• Enforce City and State laws, regulations, and ordinances related to animal control
• Compile case evidence and prepare animal control cases for court; provide court testimony and render opinions on the nature of case animals
• Issue warnings and citations for violations of animal control regulations and may be required to testify in court or at administrative hearings
• Safely operate rifles, shotguns, and tranquilizer equipment to capture, humanely euthanize animals, or defend the public from vicious or uncontrollable animals as necessary
• Educate and provide the public with information regarding animal control laws, licensing requirements, owner responsibilities, and appropriate animal care
• Maintain and safeguard assigned equipment and supplies such as citation books, computers, controlled substances, and animal control vehicles
• Operate a computer and a two-way radio to maintain close communication with dispatching personnel
• May train others performing similar work
• Prepare and maintain a variety of animal control records, documentation, and reports
• Provide courteous and professional customer service to those contacted in the course of work

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of work around animals
• Habits and characteristics of domestic animals and wildlife
• Symptoms of common animal diseases
• Principles and practices of customer service, including conflict resolution
• Computer operations and applications
• State laws and regulations related to animal control functions (such as rabies and search and seizures); current local animal control codes and regulations
• Record keeping principles and practices
• Laboratory analysis principles and practices

Skill in:

• Answering inquiries and providing factual and technical information
• Handling criticism and hostility from citizens with tact and good judgment
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Collecting, compiling, and analyzing basic information and data
• Making field contact with various animals, some of which may be hostile and/or injured
• Using common office computer software
• Safe and proficient use of specialized law enforcement weapons and equipment
• Providing courteous and professional customer service

Ability to:

• Read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance
• Understand, retain, interpret, and enforce animal control codes, laws, case law, and regulations
• Identify and report animal control problems encountered in the course of work
• Safely care for and physically control live, sick, or injured domestic and exotic animals and reptiles
• Humanely euthanize animals by the end of probationary period
• Gather specimens for laboratory analysis and observe contamination protocols
• Properly operate animal control equipment
• Understand and comply with departmental policies, rules, and instructions
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with the public, community volunteers, and City personnel
• Prioritize work; coordinate several activities, and follow-up as required
• Timely prepare well-written, clear, concise, and well-substantiated reports
• Assist with staff and volunteers training as needed
• Efficiently and effectively perform assigned duties with considerable independence within legal and procedural guidelines

Experience and Education

Experience: Eighteen months of experience in animal care or animal control, of which six months must be in public contact work and the enforcement of rules and regulations.

Education: Possession of a High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.

Special Qualifications

• Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment if selected for this position.
• Certifications: Must possess or obtain the State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Penal Code 832 (Arrest and Firearms) Certificate during probationary period and throughout the course of employment.
• Background: Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, fingerprinting, drug use history, and polygraph.
• Felony Convictions: Free of felony convictions under California Penal Code Sections 29900 and 29905.
• Medical/Drug Test: Must pass a medical and/or drug test.
• Work Conditions: Must perform shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Standby duty is also required.
• Environmental Conditions: Work outside in various types of weather and unsanitary environments.
• Physical Conditions: Must be able to regularly lift, carry, restrain, and capture animals between 60-70 pounds; occasionally up to 100 pounds.

Probationary Period

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

Selection Procedure

Please note, the City of Sacramentos preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

Application Instructions

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the next posted cut-off date; Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidates education, training, and experience.
3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidates eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Animal Control Officer II examination.
4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
5. Background Process: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and drug use history.

Questions

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process: Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process. For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627. Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment; Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org; or Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726.

Bilingual Pay and Pension Reform Act

Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? Thats right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of