Animal Control Chief

Job Title: Chief Animal Control Officer
Hiring Bonus: $5,000
Relocation Assistance: Up to $5,000
Location: Kenai, Alaska
Department: Kenai Police Department – Animal Control Division

Why We Love Working Here

Working in Animal Control is more than just a job—it’s a rewarding, dynamic career with a team that truly cares. Here’s what makes it special:

• Team-Oriented Culture: You'll be part of a supportive, tight-knit team that looks out for each other and works together to get the job done.
• Flexible & Relaxed Environment: While we take our work seriously, our team enjoys a laid-back, respectful workplace where flexibility is valued and burnout is avoided.
• Make a Real Impact: From rescuing animals in need to helping people in your community, the work you do makes a difference every single day.
• No Two Days Are the Same: Whether you’re responding to a call in the field or helping an animal find a new home, every day brings new challenges and rewards.
• It’s Actually Fun: If you enjoy being around animals, problem-solving on the fly, and sharing a few laughs with a great crew—this is the place for you.

Position Overview

Kenai, Alaska, is a scenic coastal community surrounded by mountains, rivers, and the waters of Cook Inlet. Home to roughly 7,500 residents, Kenai offers a balance of small-town charm and outdoor adventure, with world-class fishing, wildlife viewing, and stunning natural beauty. The city takes pride in its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and commitment to providing a safe, family-friendly environment for residents and visitors alike.

The Chief Animal Control Officer is a working supervisor in the Animal Control Division. Reporting to the Police Lieutenant, this position leads and manages all functions of the Kenai Animal Shelter and animal‐control operations. The ideal candidate is hands‐on, experienced in animal welfare and public service, and excels in both administrative leadership and field operations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate: $32.35 – $43.28 - DOE.
• Generous hiring bonus: $5,000.
• Relocation assistance of up to $5,000
• Full‐time regular position with benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, and paid time off.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact in your community while working in a supportive, positive environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and lead all functions, operations, and personnel at the Kenai Animal Shelter, including enforcement of City codes relating to animal control.
2. Participate in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
3. Participate in the selection, evaluation, and scheduling of employees and volunteers in accordance with City personnel policies.
4. Feed, water, and care for animals; vaccinate animals as necessary; show animals to potential adopters; issue permits and licenses; collect fees; complete all necessary paperwork.
5. Perform a variety of janitorial duties, including washing dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, trash disposal, and disinfecting bathrooms; sanitizing kennels, stalls, cages other areas.
6. Provide information, respond to public or agency inquiries, and resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner in-person, on the telephone, and through email.
7. Coordinate Animal Control programs and services; participate in and present educational programs for community groups; conduct outreach programs and annual rabies clinic. 
8. Operate an animal services vehicle; maintain, clean, and fuel vehicle; transport vehicle to shop for routine maintenance as necessary.
9. Capture and/or confine wild or stray animals; impound sick, injured, stray, or trapped animals; remove and dispose of dead animals from public and private properties; transport injured animals.
10. Conduct euthanasia of animals by lethal injection.
11. Physically control domestic and exotic animals of all sizes using approved methods, including live traps and quarantine of dangerous and/or rabid animals.
12. Investigate animal-related complaints at the animal shelter and in the field; interview complainants, witnesses, animal owners, and neighbors; mediate situations between citizens involving their animals, sometimes in hostile and emotionally-charged situations.
13. Enforce applicable animal control codes and licensing ordinances; issue citations for violations of applicable regulations; testify in court.
14. Maintain a variety of files, documents, records, and databases; compile information and statistics as needed for various reports; disseminate, report, and communicate information; prepare reports, including but not limited to intake reports, adoption reports, complaint summaries, phone logs, case files, and license records.
15. Perform purchasing duties in accordance with City policies and procedures; participate in budget process, including obtaining quotes, preparing requisitions, and placing orders.
16. Maintain strict confidentiality of privileged communications and information and comply with privacy laws and regulations.
17. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, vendors, City employees, and the general public.  
18. Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.
19. Attend Department training and other continuing education programs.
20. Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at work.
21. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. Possess three (3) years of increasingly responsible work experience in animal control services and shelter operations; or possess at least three (3) years of full-time supervisory experience in any professional setting, plus a significant knowledge of general animal care; or a combination of both. Note: General pet ownership does not meet this requirement.
4. Possess or have the ability to obtain a nationally recognized Animal Control or Care Officer Certification within one (1) year of employment.
5. Possess or obtain a valid unrestricted Alaska driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
6. The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a pre-employment drug test, criminal background check, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet the requirements for use of drugs to euthanize domestic animals and other background investigations.
7. The employee must be available to work varying schedules, including weekends, holidays, and shift extensions. The employee will be required to perform some work on weekends and nights and respond to emergency call outs when available.

Desired Skills & Characteristics

1. Certification by the National Animal Control Association (NACA).
2. Three (3) years of supervisory experience. 
3. Previous work or other experience demonstrating knowledge of hazards and safety precautions associated with animal control work, community licensing, and rabies control is highly desirable.
4. Previous work or other experience demonstrating the ability to work with a wide range of people and animals and a working knowledge of local government.  

Working Conditions

• Work is performed both indoors (shelter) and outdoors (field work, impoundment, transport) in varied Alaskan weather conditions.
• Regular schedule is a 40-hour work week, but must be available for some weekends, holidays, shift extensions, and emergency call‐outs.
• The role may involve physical exertion—restraining animals, handling equipment, transporting injured or wild animals; potential exposure to hazardous situations.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should apply at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kenai/jobs/5126409/chief-animal-control-officer-hiring-bonus-of-5-000?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Applications will be accepted until November 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM Alaska Time.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION 

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.