Animal Control Officer

County of Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Monterey County Health Department’s Animal Services Bureau is seeking an enthusiastic Animal Control Officer to join our team to provide compassionate and effective services for the animals of Monterey County.

The position covers field services including enforcement, stray animal care, bite investigations, and public education. It requires evening/weekend availability and a valid California driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Approximately one year of experience handling animals and dealing with the public.

Responsibilities

• Patrols an assigned geographical area of the County and/or City of Salinas and transports animals in a specially equipped County vehicle.
• Responds to and investigates complaints concerning possible violations of animal control laws.
• Captures and impounds stray, injured, unlicensed, vicious or quarantined animals.
• Maintains accurate records, completes forms and writes reports.
• Issues citations for violations of animal control and licensing laws.
• Explains pet owner responsibilities to the public; participates in rabies control programs.
• Properly cares for impounded or quarantined animals; releases animals under appropriate circumstances.
• Properly destroys and/or disposes of animals.
• Serves as dispatcher when so assigned.

Job description

A Drug-Free Workplace

Invites your interest for the position of

Animal Control Officer

$4,839 – $6,610 per Month

Final Filing Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026

Exam # 26/34C01/10PH

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Monterey County Health Department’s Animal Services Bureau is seeking an enthusiastic Animal Control Officer to join our team of dedicated professionals to provide compassionate and effective services for the animals of Monterey County. The County of Monterey via the Health Department provides operational oversight for Hitchcock Road Animal Services, which is a Joint Power Agency for the City of Salinas and County of Monterey.

Animal Control Officers (ACO) provide field services that include (but are not limited to) local and state ordinance enforcement and issuance of citations, stray, injured and aggressive animal pick up, animal bite investigation, noise and nuisance complaints, documentation, and public education on responsible pet ownership.

Animal Control Officers make a real impact in the community by protecting animals and promoting public safety. Officers patrol assigned areas, respond to calls for service, investigate violations, safely capture and care for animals in need, maintain accurate and thorough records, educate pet owners, and support rabies control efforts. Officers may also assist with dispatch duties and coordinate responses to animal-related incidents. This position combines fieldwork, problem-solving and compassionate animal care in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

Animal Services, through Hitchcock Road Animal Services, provides field, sheltering and licensing services to the residents of the City of Salinas and County of Monterey. The Bureau operates an Animal Services facility that takes in about 4,000 animals each year.

As of 4/12/2023, the Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flyer.

• Patrols an assigned geographical area of the County and/or City of Salinas and transports animals in a specially equipped County vehicle.
• Responds to and investigates complaints concerning possible violations of animal control laws.
• Captures and impounds stray, injured, unlicensed, vicious or quarantined animals.
• Maintains accurate records, completes forms and writes reports.
• Issues citations for violations of animal control and licensing laws.
• Explains pet owner responsibilities to the public; participates in rabies control programs.
• Properly cares for impounded or quarantined animals; releases animals under appropriate circumstances.
• Properly destroys and/or disposes of animals.
• Serves as dispatcher when so assigned.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Working Knowledge of

• Methods and techniques used in the capture, control, care, handling and disposal of various breeds of animals.
• State and local laws pertaining to the control and licensing of animals

Skill and Ability to

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Quickly assess a situation and take appropriate action.
• Exercise tact and good judgment in dealing with the public.
• Prepare clear, complete reports.
• Recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases.
• Follow oral and written instructions.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience

• Approximately one year of experience handling animals and dealing with the public.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
• Have ability to exercise patience and care in dealing with animals; tolerate animal noise and odor.
• Have ability to exercise tact, self-restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with a variety of people both friendly and hostile.
• Have ability to tolerate the destructions of animals.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CLASSIFICATION

• Have ability to exercise patience and care in dealing with animals; tolerate animal noise and odor.
• Have ability to exercise tact, self-restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with a variety of people both friendly and hostile.
• Have ability to tolerate the destructions of animals.

BENEFITS

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Priscilla Herrera, Human Resources Management Analyst II, at [phone] or [e-mail].