Animal Control Officer

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Animal Care Officer positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Monday, November 23, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PT).

THE OPPORTUNITY

Animal Care Officer is the journey-level classification in the civilian Animal Care Officer occupational series.

As an Animal Care Officer, you’ll protect animals, safeguard the public, and directly improve the quality of life in your community. You’ll investigate cases of cruelty and neglect, rescue sick, injured, or abandoned animals, and work alongside law enforcement to investigate crimes against animals. You’ll also play a critical role in keeping neighborhoods safe by managing aggressive animals and addressing rabies risks.

Every day brings meaningful, rewarding work. Some days you’ll be out in the field making quick, critical decisions on your own, while other days you’ll collaborate with fellow officers to handle complex situations. You’ll educate residents on responsible pet ownership, build trust within the community, and help people help animals through compassion, fairness, and understanding.

If you’re compassionate, dependable, and motivated by service, this career offers the chance to be a voice for animals, a partner to the community, and a protector of public safety.

Responsibilities and duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrol assigned areas in a vehicle, complete daily work assignments received during briefings or by other means
• Safely and effectively secure a variety of domestic and wild animals in a variety of circumstances
• Assess the condition of injured or sick animals, determine appropriate care, issue notices as needed, and coordinate next steps for wildlife rehabilitation when feasible
• Communicate effectively and professionally in person and via two-way 800 MHZ radio utilizing codes/phonetic alphabet
• Promote compliance with County and State laws that pertain to the field of animal care and control
• Engage with the public safely and professionally, including in occasionally tense or challenging situations
• Prepare written reports, patrol logs and other materials in a legible, concise and accurate manner
• Interact safely and professionally with healthy, sick or injured domestic, wild and exotic animals
• Investigate and document reports of animal cruelty or neglect, amongst emotional and sometimes disturbing situations
• Protect the community from aggressive dogs by safely impounding them, documenting the scene, and taking appropriate follow-up actions
• Investigate animal bites and reports of aggressive animals
• Assist other officers by receiving and dispatching calls for service
• Educate the public on County and State laws, animal care standards, and responsible pet ownership
• Rescue animals from situations or circumstances that could endanger their health or well-being
• Testify in court or administrative hearings as needed
• Collect and transport deceased animals from public and private property

Work Assignments: 

Assignments in this classification may involve a variety of placements such as field work, office work, coverage in our dispatch unit/call center, or assisting other sections of OC Animal Care such as the kennel, veterinary, or clerical units, as determined by the business needs of the department.
 

Work Schedule:

The standard work schedule of this assignment will consist of rotating assignments that may consist of four-to-five-day work weeks, depending on business needs. Shift schedules generally rotate every four months. OC Animal Care provides service 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, including weekends and holidays.

Field Services currently has four primary shifts providing continuous staff coverage throughout the day and overnight, although other assignments may be assigned or available. Incumbents should be prepared to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends and holidays. Incumbents may be drafted for mandatory overtime in the event of an emergency, disaster, or during periods of unexpected staffing shortages.


DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The possession of the following certifications and/or training is highly desirable but not required:

• Valid PC 832(a) Laws of Arrest certification, or completion of 40 or more hours of training from the National Animal Care and Control Association, Code 3 Associates, the National Animal Cruelty Investigations School, or a comparable program
• Certified in Humane Euthanasia

For more information and to apply for this recruitment, please visit the folloiwng link and submit an application through our governmentjobs.com

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/jobs/5502959-0/animal-control-officer