Animal Control Officer

City of Hayward - Animal Services Bureau; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Hayward - Animal Services Bureau is seeking an Animal Control Officer to protect the community from dangerous and sick animals, enforce local animal laws, and investigate animal-related issues with compassion and professionalism.

The ideal candidate will handle a variety of duties including responding to complaints, capturing animals, conducting cruelty investigations, transporting animals, and performing humane euthanasia when necessary, all while maintaining records and engaging

Qualifications

• Care and feeding of animals.
• Animal health, behavior and proper handling.
• Basic computer operations.
• Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
• Basic math and record keeping.
• Federal, State and City laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to animal control.

Responsibilities

• Responds to complaints concerning animals and takes appropriate action.
• Captures aggressive animals.
• Investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect, dog and rooster fighting.
• Operates a motor vehicle in patrolling an assigned area.
• Collects license and quarantine fees and issues receipts for same.
• Explains and enforces pertinent laws relating to animal services and licensing.
• Issues violation notices and Court citations.
• Transports stray, sick, injured or dead animals to an animal services facility.
• Performs humane euthanasia on animals as necessary.
• Assists in receiving, feeding and caring for, or disposing of impounded animals.
• Assists in the cleaning and maintenance of the animal services facility, related vehicles, and equipment.
• Assists the public in claiming or adopting animals.
• Investigates animal-bite cases, obtains all necessary information and initiates proper quarantine or hearing procedures as required.
• Maintains records and files.
• Prepares reports.
• Testifies in court.
• May use tranquilizing equipment and firearms.
• Seeks medical attention for impounded animals.
• May make public presentations.
• Serves on scheduled on-call status.
• May be required to lift and load animals up to 50 lbs.

Skills

Animal care

Animal health

Animal handling

Basic computer skills

Record keeping

Safety procedures

Laws and regulations

Tools

Tranquilizing equipment

Firearms

Job description

Under general supervision, responsible for protecting the community from dangerous and sick animals; enforcing and investigating local municipal, state, and federal animal laws; preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases; capturing and impounding a variety of animals requiring specialized equipment; euthanizing animals as deemed necessary; providing care and maintenance for animals; picking up and disposing of deceased animals; assisting in licensing; providing humane education to residents in the community and children in schools; and performing other related duties as required.

Essential Duties - Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Responds to complaints concerning animals and takes appropriate action.
• Captures aggressive animals
• Investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect, dog and rooster fighting.
• Operates a motor vehicle in patrolling an assigned area.
• Collects license and quarantine fees and issues receipts for same.
• Explains and enforces pertinent laws relating to animal services and licensing.
• Issues violation notices and Court citations.
• Transports stray, sick, injured or dead animals to an animal services facility.
• Performs humane euthanasia on animals as necessary.
• Assists in receiving, feeding and caring for, or disposing of impounded animals.
• Assists in the cleaning and maintenance of the animal services facility, related vehicles, and equipment.
• Assists the public in claiming or adopting animals.
• Investigates animal-bite cases, obtains all necessary information and initiates proper quarantine or hearing procedures as required.
• Maintains records and files.
• Prepares reports.
• Testifies in court.
• May use tranquilizing equipment and firearms.
• Seeks medical attention for impounded animals.
• May make public presentations.
• Serves on scheduled on-call status.
• May be required to lift and load animals up to 50 lbs.

The ideal Animal Control Officer is compassionate, service-oriented, and committed to building positive relationships with the community. They demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and patience when assisting residents, handling sensitive situations, and working with animals in distress. The ideal candidate communicates effectively; exercises sound judgment under pressure and approaches every interaction with a strong focus on public safety, education, and humane care for both animals and people. This position requires an individual who can balance enforcement responsibilities with compassion and understanding. The ideal candidate is approachable, community-focused, and dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership while serving as a trusted resource for the public. The ideal candidate would perform the full range of duties for this class independently and only receive occasional instruction or assistance as new, unusual, or unique situations arise.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of:

• Care and feeding of animals.
• Animal health, behavior and proper handling.
• Basic computer operations.
• Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
• Basic math and record keeping.
• Federal, State and City laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to animal control.

Ability to:

• Operate a personal computer and related devices using City-installed software.
• Interpret laws and ordinances.
• Communicate effectively with the public.
• Exercise tact and good judgment in performance of duties.
• Use discretion regarding enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to animals.
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Deal patiently and effectively with frightened, fractious and injured animals.
• Follow orders and work cooperatively with others.
• Work rotating shifts, holidays, weekends and on-call.
• Deal with emotional issues involving the humane care of animals.
• Control, carry and subdue animals.