Deputy Sheriff - Animal Control Officer (ACO)

Deputy Sheriff - Animal Control Officer (ACO)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Stafford County, VA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

04141

Department

Sheriff

Division

Animal Control

Opening Date

10/19/2026

Starting Salary

26.36

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Deputy Sheriff - Animal Control Officer

$29.36/hour or $61,078.78 with no prior road patrol experience.

1:1 credit given for years of VA DCJS road patrol Law Enforcement service

up to 10 yrs or 50%, whichever is greater.

Full salary range for this career is $61,078.78 - $112,021.10

Additional compensation may be earned via shift schedule, night differential, holiday and premium pay

Please click here to review automatic disqualifiers for this position.

These must be reviewed and acknowledged prior to submitting your application.

Performs intermediate protective service work in the enforcement of ordinances regulating the keeping of animals within the County; does related work as assigned; involves an element of personal danger. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Animal Control Sergeant. Must be available to work on any day of the week, including holidays and weekends.

Examples of Duties

• Respond to animal control calls; patrolling to observe animal violations; picking up animals running loose, sick or injured animals; investigate animal bites; preparing and maintaining records and files.
• Receive and investigate citizen complaints relating to dog and other animals during regular working hours and after hours;
• Impound abandoned and stray dogs and other animals;
• Provide public information concerning County does;
• Carry out euthanasia procedures;
• Investigate and process dog bite cases;
• Keep appropriate records;
• Feed and water animals at the shelter;
• Clean kennels;
• Set up trap;
• Assist humane officer;
• Issue summons and appears in court on a variety of cases involving enforcement of Animal Control Ordinances;
• Perform related tasks as required;
• Other Law Enforcement duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing the control of dogs; general knowledge of the care, control and handing of dogs and other animals; ability to recognize rabies symptoms and some knowledge of the methods and procedures to be followed; some knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures; general knowledge of the geography of the County and location of important buildings; some knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Sheriffs Office; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear comprehensive reports; ability to deal courteously, firmly and tactfully with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surround hazards and circumstances; possession of physical agility and endurance; skill in the use of firearms and the operation of a motor vehicle. possession of all qualifications as required by the Code of Virginia, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, and the Stafford County Sheriffs Office.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalency (GED) required.

Drivers license valid in the state of Virginia

Must obtain and maintain all Stafford County Sheriff's Office, and the State Criminal Justice System training and education requirements for the position.

Required to be a United States citizen.

Must be 21 years of age prior to an academy graduation. Please visit this link for academy dates.

This position is designated as essential and must report to work during times when the local government/agencies are closed, is subject to call back and hold over to maintain minimum staffing 24/7.

The successful applicant must complete pass physical abilities testing, interview, polygraph examination, full background investigation to include a criminal history check, physical examination, psychological examination and drug and alcohol testing.

If you use an auto fill option to complete your application, please be sure to review all sections of your application prior to submitting to ensure your employment history and education information are accurate. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Special Requirements:

Stafford County Deputies are required to reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia and be in possession of a valid VA driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency.

This is heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; and some work requiring the lifting or dragging, for short distances, of 165 pounds of weight occasionally; work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and wearing a respirator. The worker may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

Please click here for our full-time benefits.

Note: All employees are required to have direct deposit of their bi-weekly paychecks into one or more financial institution(s) of their choice. Information must be presented at time of hire.

Proper Identification must be shown at time of hire in order to complete the necessary paperwork for compliance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986.

01

I have read and understand the automatic disqualifiers linked in the position description above and attest that the automatic disqualifiers do not apply to me?

• Yes
• No

02

I have read, understand and acknowledge the following reasons may cause me to fail the application process: Dishonesty- omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualification Attention to Detail- not fully completing paperwork or caring about personal appearance Not Meeting Obligations - arriving late or forgetting appointments Lack of Soft Skills - Unable to shake hands, make eye contact, or finish a sentences

• Yes
• No

03

I have reviewed the salary details for this position and understand, being a public agency, the salary is non-negotiable?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you a United States Citizen (Code of Virginia requirement)?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you at least 21 years of age or will reach 21 prior to academy graduation? (academy dates listed on Sheriff's Office Recruiting page)

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a high school diploma or high school equivalent (GED)?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a valid drivers license within the state of Virginia?

• Yes
• No

08

Have you previously applied to the Stafford County Sheriffs Office?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you a veteran of the United States Military?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you hold a current Virginia DCJS law enforcement certification (road patrol, not armed/unarmed security)?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you hold a Law Enforcement Certification from another state?

12

Are you currently under contract with another law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

13

Since the age of 18, have you ever been convicted of a crime to include any traffic offenses? (A conviction will not necessarily disqualify you for employment. Rather, such factors as age and date of conviction, seriousness and nature of the crime, and rehabilitation will be considered). If yes, please provide details including date/timeframe

14

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor (State Law Requirement)? If yes, please provide a brief description including date/timeframe

15

Have you been convicted of a DUI within the past 5 years?

• Yes
• No

16

Have you been convicted of two or more DUI's?

• Yes
• No

17

Within the past 24 months have you been convicted of reckless driving, hit and run, or other serious traffic offense?

• Yes
• No

18

Have you had two or more driving violations within the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

19

Have you used marijuana within the past 6 months?

• Yes
• No

20

Have you ever used Heroin/Opium (or derivatives), methadone, crack cocaine or PCP?

• Yes
• No

21

How did you hear about this position?

• Sheriffs Office Website
• Stafford County Website
• Referral
• Job/Career Fair
• College Career Center
• Advertisement (i.e. Indeed)
• VEC
• Social Media (i.e. Facebook)
• Recruiter
• Family Friend
• Other

22

If you were referred by an employee of the Sheriff's Office or Stafford County, please provide the name of that individual:

Required Question

Employer Stafford County

Address P.O. Box 339

Stafford, Virginia, 22555-0339

Phone (540) 658-5147

Website http://staffordcountyva.gov