Animal Control Officer
The County of San Diego, Department of Animal Services is currently recruiting for the position of:
Animal Control Officer
** June 26, 2026 - 4.57% increase to base pay (3.50% Across-the-Board + 1.07% Market Increase)
In addition to the base salary, employees receive:
- $850 annual uniform allowance (paid within 30 days of start date)
- $300 boot allowance/reimbursement for the hard toe shoes
- Overtime pay for working County-observed holidays
- 4/10 schedules
- 37 paid days off annually
About the Position:
Join an organization dedicated to upholding values of integrity, Compassion, Teamwork, innovation, and Operational Excellence. As an Animal Control Officer, you will enforce state and local laws that protect the public from dangerous animals and protect animals from abuse and neglect. Animal Control Officers are responsible for investigating animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect, investigating reports of aggressive and/or dangerous animals, enforcing state felony and misdemeanor laws, and local animal-related regulatory ordinances, writing detailed investigatory reports, and providing expert testimony in court cases and administrative hearings. Animal Control Officers should expect to interact frequently with members of the public and other law enforcement agencies, may encounter dangerous situations with unfamiliar and unpredictable animals, offer education to the public regarding animal welfare and animal-related laws, and may issue citations and warnings to individuals suspected of violating either state law or local animal-related ordinances.
Animal Control Officers are responsible for transporting sick and/or injured animals found in the field. They may perform euthanasia on animals too sick or injured to transport. In the case of a disaster, an Animal Control Officer is expected to participate in the evacuation, sheltering, and reunification of animals impacted by the disaster.
Animal Control Officers are headquartered out of the Bonita and Carlsbad County shelter locations. The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment.
Coming Late 2026! A new state-of-the-art animal shelter in Santee serving the East and South Counties. It will provide a safe environment for animals and the public. Landscape enhancements will be made along the Riverview Parkway front, including a secured and open courtyard, an outdoor livestock area, activity yards, a secured staff parking lot, and a public parking lot.
Please read the Department of Animal Services website for additional information about the many services we provide to the community.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate must have compassion towards animals, be able to work independently and make sound judgments regarding field activities demonstrated through critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will also be able to calmly interact with highly emotional individuals and build relationships with community partners. Potential candidates will need to have the ability to learn quickly and retain information about various animal-related laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills. Candidates should adapt easily to changing demands as working hours can be irregular (nights, weekends, holidays, and standby shifts).
Hiring Process and Timeline:
The Department of Animal Services is creating a pool of qualified candidates for anticipated vacancies over the next six months. Apply now to be first in line when positions become available.
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
- Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon the successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education, training, and/or experience that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above. Qualifying education/experience:
- Twelve (12) months of relevant experience within the last three (3) years handling and caring for domestic animals in a kennel facility, veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or explaining rules and regulations to the public in an animal-related environment or public service capacity; OR,
- Twelve (12) months of relevant experience within the last three (3) years as a humane officer or animal control officer at a humane society or animal control agency; OR,
- Twelve (12) months as an Animal Care Attendant with the County of San Diego, and have successfully passed the probationary period for said position; OR,
- Possession of Registration as a Veterinary Technician with the State of California; OR,
- Completion of at least thirty (30) semester college units from an accredited college or university with at least twelve (12) units related to animal control, criminal justice, or law enforcement.
Note:
Candidates must complete a certified Penal Code 832 course in arrest and firearms within 6 months of appointment.
Please read the job description for Animal Control Officer for additional information.
Working Conditions:
Work is predominantly performed outdoors, driving, and in animal shelter environments in varying temperatures; exposure to excessive noise (such as barking dogs) or constant radio chatter; aggressive and/or dangerous animals; animal waste and dead animals; dust, chemicals from cleaning agents/disinfectants; and sewage and zoonotic diseases. This is a first responder to disasters and emergencies and personal protective equipment is provided.
Blind Applicant Screening:
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
