Animal Control Officer

City of Minneapolis; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN, seeks an Animal Control Officer to investigate and enforce animal control ordinances, respond to service calls, and protect public safety. You will work primarily in the field, with 90% time spent outside, using MACC resources and collaborating with MPD and other agencies.

The role focuses on humane care, hazard mitigation, and community education about responsible pet ownership.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent required with two years of related experience.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to obtain NCIC certification within six months of hire.
• On-the-job training and certifications will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Respond to animal control calls and enforce ordinances.
• Interview victims, suspects and witnesses related to animal control cases.
• Prepare reports and documentation for enforcement actions.
• Recover and impound animals; assist MPD with cases.
• Testify in hearings and court as required.
• Provide public education on responsible pet ownership.
• Assist shelter staff and handle dangerous animals.

Skills

Investigative skills

Court testimony

Communication skills

Public outreach

Report writing

Education

Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or equivalent

Tools

Chameleon Database

CAD dispatching system

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Position Description

Animal Control Officers help keep people and animals safe in Minneapolis. They work out of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC), a full-service animal shelter that helps thousands of pets find new homes each year. Animal control officers conduct investigations, respond to calls for service and enforce applicable laws.

Animal Control Officers are dispatched calls through the 311 and 911 call centers. Examples of calls for service are: animal bites, aggressive animal complaints, at large dogs, animal welfare checks, sick and/or injured wildlife, cruelty and neglect cases, animal permit inspections, assist with executing search warrants with Minneapolis Police Department, provide courtroom testimony and more. Officers participate in community engagement by attending public events and visiting schools to educate Minneapolis residents about their work, the City's animal ordinances and how to be safe around animals.

Animal Control Officers receive full departmental training, as well as continuing education and professional development in areas including investigations, animal cruelty, and field training. Animal Control Officers spend 90% of their time in the field, working independently out in the community. The provided City vehicles are fully equipped with necessary technology. The work MACC does is strongly supported by the community and elected officials, and Animal Control Officers have robust cross‑departmental interaction and cooperation. All Animal Control Officers support the core values of MACC, including personal and professional excellence, accountability to the community, integrity to foster community trust, and respect for human and animal life and safety.

Work Location

This position currently works on-site only.

Working Hours and Shift Requirements

This position requires flexibility to work various shifts, including workdays, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call.

Visa Sponsorship

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to animal/livability complaints and preliminary investigative cases for compliance with animal control ordinance codes and other applicable Minnesota State Statues of petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony level violations. Understand and utilize both proactive enforcement and community-based enforcement theories in the application of field services.
• Enforce the Minneapolis City Ordinances by issuing warnings and citations. Interpret laws, ordinances, and court decisions relating to enforcement activities.
• Interview victims, suspects of animal cruelty and crimes, witnesses and members of the general public as it relates to any given animal control case.
• Prepare complete and accurate reports and other related paperwork.
• Recover and assume custody of lost, abandoned and recovered animals. Assist MPD with stolen animal cases.
• Assist in the execution of search warrants and assist other agencies as requested.
• Handle and control and impound dangerous, injured and ill animals including animals with zoonotic diseases that are potentially fatal including and not limited to the Rabies virus.
• Represent the City of Minneapolis with a focus on public education regarding responsible pet ownership and available resources through field calls for service, regular patrols, and community events. Execute the mission and vision of MACC.
• Operate various computer terminals to enter and retrieve essential and general information.
• Provide 24/7 emergency response following the restricted protocol policy and procedure.
• Testify in hearings including but not limited to civil custody hearings, administrative citation hearings and criminal court hearings.
• Proactive Patrol for violations and community outreach and engagement.
• Impound aggressive, injured and sick wildlife. Euthanize wildlife as appropriate per MACC policy and procedure with the exception of lethal injection. Transport for rehabilitation on a case-by-case basis.
• Assist shelter and veterinary staff as needed with veterinary services including feeding of the impounded animals, the administration of preliminary vaccinations to dogs and cats upon intake when applicable and other animal care services
• Assist cleaning the shelter including but not limited to all communal staff areas, animal kennels and cages and the MACC fleet garage/bay area.

Working Conditions

This position requires handling and restraining of vicious or potentially dangerous and/or deadly animals including dogs, cats, reptiles, hoof stock and multiple species of wildlife, etc. The position is exposed to physical threats which include unpredictable, hostile, and potentially armed individuals. The position may be exposed to zoonotic diseases and parasitic zoonoses such as rabies, tularemia, salmonellosis (and other illness causing bacteria), West Nile virus, brucellosis, Lyme disease, histoplasmosis (and other similar fungal diseases), hantavirus and others. The position is also subject to long periods of exposure to inclement weather, driving, garbed in PPE, lifting and/or carrying heavy loads, crawling, climbing, running, bending, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or equivalent.

Minimum Experience

• Two years of related experience. Two or more years of animal handling is desired.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Licenses/Certifications

Valid driver’s license - Possess and maintain a valid driver's license for the duration of employment in this position.

Position-specific Certifications

Ability to obtain and maintain the following certifications in order to perform essential functions of employment. On-the-job training and certification will be provided.

• ASP Baton Certification, OC Spray Certification and Wildlife euthanasia training within twelve (12) months of hire.
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification through the FBI within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

National Animal Care and Control (NACA) Certification or equivalent Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer

Desirable Qualifications – Language

Bilingual skills in Spanish, Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Hmong, Vietnamese and/or Lao.

Desirable Qualifications – Cultural Competency

Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check (Public)

The City has determined that a thorough Minneapolis Police Department criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.

Medical Exam

After a conditional job offer, candidates will be required to pass a medical examination which includes a physical screening.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and AFSCME General Unit (CAF). For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/hr/laboragreements/labor-agreements_afscme-general_index

Eligible List Statement

The names of applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager, who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire upon hire.

Interview Selection

The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to understand and apply statutes, ordinances, applicable regulations, and other legal authorities and procedures of department/division.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of animal control work and code enforcement.
• Considerable knowledge of occupational hazards including zoonotic diseases and managing personal and public safety.
• Considerable knowledge of computer operations and software used by Minneapolis Animal Care & Control, including but not limited to Microsoft software, email, Xcel spreadsheets, Chameleon Database and CAD dispatching system.
• Considerable knowledge of and the ability to facilitate the group problem-solving process, recognizing positive results, mitigate conflict and achieve satisfactory outcomes.
• Considerable knowledge of the Minnesota Department of Health rabies protocol and the rabies compendium and guidelines.
• Good knowledge of the geography of the city of Minneapolis and the ability to read a map.
• Good interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with an ability to effectively listen, speak, write and interact in a tactful and persuasive manner.
• Good customer service skills and an understanding of the departments associated standards.
• Good knowledge of and respect to work effectively with people of diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Good interview and documentation skills.
• Knowledge of investigative methods and techniques.
• Ability to serve the community with integrity and fairness.
• Ability to manage conflict and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.
• Ability to multi-task, monitor multiple computer programs at one time relating to calls for service or complaints
• Ability to write clear, concise reports and testify in court.
• Working knowledge of animal diseases and public health principles.
• Working knowledge of animal behavior and handling skills, including the ability to use various types of restraint and containment equipment such as a control pole and live traps etc.
• Working knowledge of current DNR standards and recommendation on wildlife management.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose- serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.