Posted: Oct 7, 2026
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Animal Control Officer 1

Nashville Davidson County Public Health Department. - Nashville, TN
Full-time
Salary: $53,306.00
Application Deadline: Nov 21, 2026
Non-Profit

Patrols assigned area within Nashville-Davidson County in assigned vehicle; performs animal control services, including responding to calls for assistance, rescuing animals, apprehending stray animals, and investigating animal-related violations of local or state law.

This position is with the Nashville Davidson County Public Health Department.
If you have previously applied for this position, you will not need to reapply.
If you have any questions about this position please contact MPHD HR at (615)-340-5640

Typical Duties

 

  • Apprehends subdues, and impounds stray, unlicensed, vicious, feral, and sick animals; investigates allegations of animal cruelty and other complaints involving animals.    
  • Investigates animal bites and coordinates handling and quarantine of animals and related efforts. 
  • Enforces animal control laws and ordinances, issues citations, collects evidence, and prepares investigative reports; communicates with other law enforcement agencies (MNPD/DCSO), works with prosecuting attorneys, and testifies in court.    
  • Performs routine keyboard/computer operations on standard office equipment; completes intake and care reports; maintains daily log sheets and inventories; and other record keeping as required.    
  • May conduct or assist with outreach and liaison programs, addressing groups and organizations on animal control, cold/hot weather pet safety and other issues.    
  • May provide training and coordinate special projects as needed. 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

  • High school diploma required.    
  • Requires 1-2 years of professional animal care or animal control experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.    
  • Must be a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET), or obtain certification within six months of hire. NOTICE: State regulations prohibit anyone with a criminal conviction of any kind from obtaining CAET.    
  • Valid class "D" driver's license, use of personal vehicle, and maintenance of valid personal vehicle insurance as required by Tennessee Law.    
  • Must receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.
Working Environment/Physical Demands:
  • Medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force on a regular and reoccurring basis, including restraint of animals of varying size, age, and physical condition.  
  • Must use protective clothing or gear.
  • May risk exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, and animals/wildlife, including exposure to animal bites, scratches, and diseases such as Rabies, Ringworm, Lyme disease and Zoonosis .
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply, however at the present time MPHD is not sponsoring individuals through any of the US Government’s employment-based immigration programs.
 
MPHD seeks to be a socially and culturally responsive organization that acknowledges and addresses historical and current inequities in our public health promotion and practice. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work with multicultural communities.