| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Salary | $70,628.88–$95,180.88 Per Year |
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER IV
Salary
$70,628.88 - $95,180.88 Annually
Location
Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type
Full time
Job Number
O-2982-J
Department
ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
Opening Date
10/21/2026
Position/Program Information
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
EXAM NUMBER
O-2982-J
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT
We welcome applications from anyone!
WHEN TO APPLY
The application filing period will begin on October 23, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.
WHY WORK FOR US?
With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.
The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control is one of the largest and most progressive animal control agencies in the United States. Our seven animal care centers serve over 3 million residents across 43 contract cities and unincorporated areas. We cover a diverse area of more than 3,400 square miles, providing 24/7 animal control and rescue services.
For more information about our amazing benefits, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/
OUR DEPARTMENTS MISSION
An innovative animal care and control agency with state-of-the-art facilities providing animals and residents high quality, effective, and caring service.
THE TEAM MEMBER WE ARE SEARCHING FOR
We are looking for an extraordinarily dedicated and compassionate person who has a demonstrated history in animal care and control. Our ideal applicant is driven, with excellent communication skills and the capacity to work in coordination within a diverse group. You should be motivated to effectively carry out animal control strategies and give to making Los Angeles a safer environment for both animals and residents.
Essential Job Functions
What will you do:
Review the workload in progress at the Animal Care Center/Shelter and in the field; revise priorities and deployment of personnel as necessary to ensure compliance with departmental practices and procedures.
Review field reports and citations prepared by Animal Control Officers for completeness and accuracy, makes necessary corrections, and refer reports to higher-level personnel, as required.
Make shift inspections of Animal Care Center/Shelter facilities and equipment for conformance with regulations and procedures pertinent to sanitation, feeding, care and quarantine of animals; initiate correction by the Animal Care Center/Shelter staff or refer the problem to higher-level personnel, as necessary.
Review the more-complex cases involving enforcement of animal control regulations which are likely to require knowledge of court decisions or intent of the law.
Conduct staff training using departmentally approved material for Animal Care Center/Shelter personnel on such subjects as animal care, ordinance intent, loading livestock and capture of animals, as necessary.
Review and assess the performance of staff; prepare performance evaluations.
Assist and advise Animal Control Officers with enforcement and investigative problems; supervise or perform captures requiring the use of a tranquilizer gun.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:
Possession of certification indicating successful completion of training program per California Penal Code Section 832* - AND- Four years of experience enforcing animal care and control laws, including the investigation of violations and court prosecution for an animal control/regulatory agency. One year of this experience must have been at the level of Animal Control Officer III .
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. A valid California Class B Driver License may be required for some positions at the time of appointment.
Successful applicants for positions that require driving must obtain a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicants driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted or revoked.
PHYSICAL CLASS
4 - Arduous. This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.
No withhold will be allowed. Required experience must be fully met at the time of filing, and clearly indicated on the application. Out-of-class work experience in the service of the County of Los Angeles will not be accepted for this examination.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS INFORMATION:
Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
Experience at the level of Animal Control Officer III refers to experience serving as lead Animal Control Officer by assisting in the operation of an Animal Care Center/Shelter and in enforcing State, County, and City codes and ordinances governing animal control functions such as animal care, field enforcement, shelter maintenance, licensing, and related assignments.
You may still qualify even if your job title isn't exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level - meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.
Additional Information
EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This examination consists of two (2) parts, weighted 100% total.
PART I: Multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s) weighted 70% measuring:
Analyzing Information
Empathy
Sharing Knowledge and Guidance
Controlling Emotions
Management Judgment
Management Potential
Achievement
Responsibility
Willingness to Learn
Working Relationships
Learning Quickly
Generating New Ideas
Using Time Efficiently
Working to High-Quality Standards
Adapting to Change
Reading Comprehension
MULTIPLE-CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.
Applicants must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on Part I in order to have their Part II Evaluation of Training and Experience calculated and scored.
Part II: an Evaluation of Training and Experience, weighted at 30%, measuring:
Candidates must meet the requirements and achieve a 70% or higher on the combined score of Part I and Part II in order to be placed on the eligible list.
TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS:
If you recently took identical components for other exams, the test responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam. Scores cannot be given over the telephone.
TEST PREPARATION:
We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides will help you preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Appointees may be required to work any shift including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION:
Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on the list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Department of Animal Care and Control as they occur.
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
WE ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FILED ONLINE. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX, OR IN PERSON ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" tab for this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.
Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employers name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. Copying VERBIAGE from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience WILL NOT BE sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements.
We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information on your application and any attachments will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.
We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicants responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.
New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.
NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD: All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family members or friends user ID and password may erase a candidates original application record.
It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Animal Care and Control is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Testing Accommodation:
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.
Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov
Department Contact Phone: (562) 534-1402
Department Contact Email: SPerez@animalcare.lacounty.gov
ADA Coordinator Phone: (562) 256-7100
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099
Alternate TTY Phone: (800) 897-0077
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran's Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran's credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf
Revised September 2025
For detailed information, please click here
01
The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process. CHECK YOUR ANSWER CAREFULLY. Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying experience. Be specific as possible and include all information requested. Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response. All information is subject to verification at any time in the examination and hiring process. Falsification of information on your application and any attachments will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.
02
All notifications, including test invitation letters, will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. DO NOT select "off" under Email Preferences within your profile or click "unsubscribe" on our notices if you would like the County of Los Angeles to notify you regarding your application status, test schedules, and other important information pertaining to your candidacy for this position. Please add the below email addresses to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail: sperez@animalcare.lacounty.gov, info@governmentjobs.com, talentcentral@shl.com, and donot-reply@amcatmail.com
03
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veterans credit, which is an additional 10% of the total points added to a passing score. We will need a copy of your form DD214 to review, so please include that with your application or email it to Sandra Perez at SPerez@animalcare.lacounty.gov as soon as possible.
04
Do you have four years of experience enforcing animal care and control laws, including the investigation of violations and court prosecution for an animal control/regulatory agency?
05
If you answered Yes to question #4, please provide a detailed description of your full time experience enforcing animal care and control laws, including the investigation of violations and court prosecution for an animal control/regulatory agency.
NOTE: For each experience listed, please provide the following information:
Name and Address of Employer
Position/Title Held
Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY), Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Hours worked per week
Describe your duties in detail
06
Do you have at least one year of experience working at the level of Animal Control Officer III for an animal control/regulatory agency? Experience at the level of Animal Control Officer III refers to experience serving as lead Animal Control Officer by assisting in the operation of an Animal Care Center/Shelter and in enforcing State, County, and City codes and ordinances governing animal control functions such as animal care, field enforcement, shelter maintenance, licensing, and related assignments. serving as lead Animal Control Officer by assisting in the operation of an Animal Care Center/Shelter and in enforcing State, County, and City codes and ordinances governing animal control functions such as animal care, field enforcement, shelter maintenance, licensing, and related assignments for an animal control/regulatory agency?
07
If you answered Yes to question #6, please provide a detailed description of your full time experience working at the level of Animal Control Officer III for an animal control/regulatory agency? ution.
NOTE: For each experience listed, please provide the following information:
Name and Address of Employer
Position/Title Held
Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY), Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Hours worked per week
Describe your duties in detail
08
Do you have a California Penal Code Section 832 certificate? If you do, please upload it with your application.
09
In order to receive credit for the required certification, applicants must attach a legible photocopy of their California Penal Code Section 832 Certificate at the time of filing. If you are unable to attach the document to your application, please submit documentation to SPerez@animalcare.lacounty.gov or fax them to (562) 422-3187 within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing. Please include exam number and exam title. We do not accept password-protected documents.
10
General Information: This Training & Experience (T&E) Questionnaire is a self-assessment. You will respond to questions about your training and experience related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the Animal Control Officer IV position. All information that you provide is subject to verification. The assessment will evaluate the following competencies:
Instructions for Completion
Carefully read the official County job bulletin for this examination.
You will receive points for each question based on the response(s) you provide. You will receive zero points for any question on which you a) do not provide a response, or b) do not provide a brief description from your training and/or experience, when prompted, that supports the response(s) you have indicated. Referrals to a resume or the County application will be considered a non-response.
Certification Statement
By completing the following, I hereby attest that all information I have provided in this T&E Questionnaire is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that Human Resources staff may contact my employers to verify the information that I have provided. I understand that any misrepresentations, falsifications, or omissions of material facts violates Civil Service Rules and may subject me to actions including removal from this examination.
Furthermore, I certify that I will not disclose the questions used in this examination to any candidate nor will I provide any information to anyone concerning anything related to the questions posed to me other than concerned parties in an official protest or appeal. I understand that violation of this agreement can result in my disqualification from this examination as provided by Civil Service Rules.
11
Indicate any current professional certifications and/or licenses you possess in an animal care related area (select all that apply).
12
For each option selected in the previous question, please provide the type of certification(s)/license(s), name and contact information of the organization that issued the certification(s)/license(s). Additionally, ensure you have attached a copy of each certification/license to your application. If you do not possess any certifications/licenses, please type "DOES NOT APPLY". Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
13
Indicate the activities below in which you have four years of experience enforcing animal care and control laws including the investigation of violations and court prosecution for an animal control/regulatory agency (select all that apply).
14
Regarding the previous question, please provide: 1) the position title(s) you held when performing the duties, 2) the employers name(s) and contact information, 3) the approximate dates of employment, and 4) a description of your duties and scope of responsibility as they relate to the activities selected. If you have no experience in enforcing animal care and control laws, please type "DOES NOT APPLY". Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
15
Have you been trained in safely driving any of the following trailers (select all that apply)?
16
For each option selected in the previous question, please provide: 1) the position title you held when participating in the training, 2) the employers name and contact information of where the training took place, and 3) the approximate date(s) of the training(s). If you have no experience in safely driving any trailers, please type "DOES NOT APPLY". Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
17
Do you have experience working in an Incident Command System (ICS) support function role?
18
Regarding the previous question, please provide: 1) the position title you held when participating in the ICS, 2) the employers name and contact information, 3) the approximate date of when you acquired the experience, and 4) a description of your duties and scope of responsibility. If you have no experience working in an ICS support function role, please type "DOES NOT APPLY". Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
19
How many years of verifiable experience do you have in safe animal interactions (e.g., facility inspections, field interactions, animal handling)?
20
Regarding the previous question, please provide: 1) the position title you held when performing safe animal interactions, 2) the employers name and contact information, 3) the approximate dates of employment, 4) a description of your duties and scope of responsibility. If you have no experience in safe animal interactions, please type "DOES NOT APPLY". Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.
Required Question
Employer County of Los Angeles
Address
Los Angeles, California, 90010
Website http://hr.lacounty.gov