Animal Control Officer

Sacramento County, CA; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County in California is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce state laws and county ordinances, oversee licensing and vaccination, and manage animal regulation policies across the county.

The role emphasizes public interaction, safety, and the ability to handle and investigate animal-related concerns, including euthanasia and tranquilizer use as trained, with strict adherence to regulations and training requirements.

Qualifications

• Six months of paid full-time experience as an Animal Care Attendant in a public sector environment.
• One year of paid full-time or volunteer experience in the care and treatment of animals.
• One year of paid full-time experience enforcing and/or explaining laws and regulations to the public.

Responsibilities

• Enforces and explains state laws and county ordinances relating to the care and control of animals.
• Enforces licensing, vaccination, and animal regulation policies of the County of Sacramento.
• Interacts with the general public in a courteous but firm manner.
• Investigates, evaluates and resolves complaints in accordance with applicable laws.

Skills

Animal handling

Public interaction

Rule interpretation

Safety awareness

Job description

This is a continuous filing exam. The next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

• 10/2/2026
• 10/16/2026
• 11/13/2026 (final)

Under general supervision, the Animal Control Officer enforces and explains State laws and County ordinances relating to the care and control of animals; enforces licensing, vaccination, and animal regulation policies of the County of Sacramento.

Knowledge of

• Physical and behavioral characteristics of common breeds of domestic animals
• Basic symptoms of common animal diseases
• Feeding and caring for animals
• State laws and ordinances pertaining to the care, treatment, and impounding of animals

Ability to

• Interpret and apply rules and regulations governing the licensing, impounding, releasing, and euthanizing of animals
• Deal with the general public in a courteous but firm manner
• Learn to safely care for and physically control domestic and exotic animals and reptiles
• Learn to investigate, evaluate and resolve complaints in accordance with applicable laws
• Learn to safely operate tranquilizers and firearms
• Euthanize animals
• Communicate courteously and effectively with a variety of individuals
• Understand and follow written and verbal instructions

Minimum Qualifications

• Six months of paid full-time experience as an Animal Care Attendant in a public sector environment.
• One year of paid full-time or volunteer experience in the care and treatment of animals. Examples of qualifying experience are: veterinarian technician or helper, kennel attendant, S.P.C.A. attendant, zoo attendant, 4-H or farm experience, or animal training experience.
• One year of paid full-time experience enforcing and/or explaining laws and regulations to the public.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General Qualifications

Criminal History and Background Checks: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Permit Requirement: In accordance with the State Veterinary Medical Board (VMB), incumbents appointed to this class may be required to obtain a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit within three months of appointment. Failure to successfully obtain the required permit may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Training Requirement: In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 2039, all persons appointed to this class are required to attend and pass Sodium Pentobarbital/ Euthanasia Training within six months of appointment to the class. Failure to successfully complete the training may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Other Requirement: Persons in these positions must be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the performance of duties. For purpose of this section, a medical examination including successful completion of a psychological screening shall be required prior to appointment.

Age Requirement: Minimum age - 18 years.

Physical Requirements: Positions in this class require the incumbents to be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend, stoop, squat, and crawl in small, low, and/or confined areas.
• Climb ladders and work at above ground levels.
• Lift up to 40 pounds without assistance and 80 pounds with assistance.

Working Conditions: Positions in this class require the incumbents to:

• Be exposed to infectious, poisonous, and threatening animals.
• Be exposed to chemicals used to perform euthanasia.
• Work outdoor in all types of local weather conditions.
• Work around dust, dirt, and odors.
• Work in and around animal fur, dander and excrement.
• Work weekends, holidays, and non-routine hours, including fluctuating hours and after hours call outs.
• Work at various locations throughout the County.
• Wear a uniform that conforms to departmental standards.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six months.

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change. We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711 For more information, visit: Job Applicant Accommodations