Animal Control Officer

Teller County Government; Red Feather Lakes (CO); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan options

401a retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Teller County Sheriff’s Office seeks a full-time Animal Control Officer to enforce animal-related laws, protect public safety, and care for animal welfare. Duties include patrolling, responding to complaints, investigating bites, and handling emergencies.

Responsibilities cover issuing citations, preparing reports, coordinating with agencies, and educating the public while maintaining records. Must have a Colorado driver’s license and be able to work outdoors in varied conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic experience in the care of animals.
• Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Patrol in neighborhoods for dogs in violation of animal control ordinances and respond to complaints.
• Respond to calls regarding livestock or unusual animals at large.
• Apprehend and impound stray animals or issue summonses and complaints as warranted.
• Respond to citizen requests for pick-up service of confined/stray dogs.
• Facilitate rabies quarantine procedures with health department and other agencies.
• Investigate reports of animal attacks against humans or other animals.
• Provide first aid and transport injured animals to a veterinarian or shelter.
• Perform emergency euthanasia for sick/injured animals when needed.
• Rescue animals in distress and investigate animal cruelty allegations.
• Educate the public on animal needs and enforce compliance with ordinances.
• Take signed complaints and serve officer-initiated complaints for violations.
• Obtain warrants and appear in court; manage delinquent licenses.

Skills

Knowledge of ordinances

Customer service

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience with animal care

Job description

Description

Teller County’s Sheriff’s Office is seeking a full-time Animal Control Officer to enforce animal-related laws to protect public safety and animal welfare. Duties include, but are not limited to, patrolling for stray or dangerous animals, responding to complaints, investigating bites and cruelty cases, and handling emergency care. The role involves issuing citations, preparing reports, collaborating with agencies, and educating the public and maintaining accurate records.

What You'll Do:

1. (1) Patrol in neighborhoods at random for dogs in violation of animal control ordinances and in response to complaints of dogs and other animals at large.
2. (2) Respond to calls regarding livestock, and other unusual animals running at large or posing a threat to the health, welfare, and safety of the community, seeking means to control or impound the animals as necessary.
3. (3) Apprehend and impound stray dogs and other animals in violation of animal control ordinances, or issue summonses and complaints to the owner or keeper of said animals. Ability to make appropriate determination if probable cause before charging any person(s) with a violation.
4. (4) Respond to citizen requests for pick-up service of confined/stray dogs.
5. (5) Facilitate rabies quarantine procedures in cooperation with health department and other agencies; enforce state and County health department laws regarding rabies vaccination requirements.
6. (6) Investigate reports of animal attacks against humans or other animals.
7. (7) Respond to calls on injured animals and if needed administer first aid; transport the animal to veterinarian for treatment or to the shelter for care; obtain corroborating veterinary statements as needed.
8. (8) Perform emergency euthanasia for sick/injured animals in the field and may assist with euthanasia of sick/injured animals in the shelter as required.
9. (9) Rescue animals in distress; perform investigations of reports on animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse.
10. (10) Make report to resolve situations by educating the party on the needs of the animal, or by issuing summons and complaint if warranted; gather evidence for prosecution if warranted; make follow-up visit to determine welfare of animal as necessary.
11. (11) Take signed complaints from citizens, and serve officer-initiated complaints, in response to animal ordinance violations.
12. (12) Secure necessary search and seizure warrants and court orders; make court appearances and testify as necessary; perform citizen contacts regarding delinquent animal licenses.
13. (13) Keep records of daily activities and make reports as necessary; participate in regular and special training and education programs to gain new ideas and information leading to the greater efficiency, effectiveness, and courtesy of an animal control officer.
14. (14) Perform other animal control and welfare activities as related to performance of duties.

Requirements

What You'll Bring:

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Basic experience in the care of animals;
• Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted.

You Also Have:

Knowledge of: (or the ability to) quickly learn County ordinances and regulations and State statutes regarding animals and animal control; the care of animals; principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skilled in: administration of euthanasia and/or tranquilizers and perform the proper treatment for animals; organize and carry out an effective animal control program; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public.

Ability to: communicate effectively in writing and verbally; establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with co-workers, other county departments, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and the public.

Additional Details About the Role:

Visual Acuity/Hearing/Speaking: Must be able to write and read; able to hear, see and speak.

Physical Effort/Dexterity: Ability to run and have the agility to capture animals; ability to lift and carry fifty (50) pounds; ability to maintain good physical condition; ability to operate a vehicle.

Environmental Factors: Ability to work outdoors and to work under adverse weather conditions.

Work Schedule/Characteristics: 40 hours per week; subject to afterhours call-back.

License/Certification Requirements: Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range: $28.67 -$30.10/ hour

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt

Location: Divide, on site

When it comes to benefits, Teller County is committed to offering a comprehensive, affordable benefits package that meets the needs of our employees and their families.

• Two Meritain Aetna health plans to choose from –the County pays 50% to 100% of the premium depending on the plan you choose
• HSA plan – the County contributes $1,250 for employee only and $2,500 for employee plus one or more dependents
• Telehealth/Teledoc options – access quality healthcare from the comfort of your home, during your lunch break or while traveling
• Dental, Vision and Prescription drug coverage
• Basic and voluntary life coverage
• 401a retirement plan – employees contribute 4% and the County matches 8%. You are fully vested in five years.
• 457b deferred comp plans – both pre- and post-tax options available
• Time Off: Paid vacation, sick, 12 holidays, 1 floating holiday
• Aflac, wellness programs, EAP, education assistance, employee discounts, uniform allowance

Click here to review our full benefits package.

Applications accepted until Friday, October 2, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.