Animal Control Officer

West-Valley-City; West Valley City (UT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Education assistance

Job summary

West Valley City is seeking an entry-level Animal Ordinance Enforcement officer. You will respond to animal-control complaints, educate the public on city ordinances, and impound animals as needed, with a mix of administrative tasks and fieldwork.

The role requires the ability to work independently in potentially hazardous situations and may involve on-call work during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Training and strong customer-service skills are emphasized.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year of experience in animal services or related field preferred.
• Education/experience may be substituted for one another.

Responsibilities

• Patrol neighborhoods to identify ordinance violations and impound animals as needed.
• Respond to public complaints and dispatched animal control calls.
• Educate residents about animal ordinances through presentations and materials.
• Maintain records related to enforcement and impoundments.
• Testify in court as needed and participate in on-call rotations.
• Humane euthanasia of animals as directed by supervisor.
• Operate City vehicles and equipment safely.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Independent work

Public education

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Incident reporting software

Job description

Description

Come join a team dedicated to making a positive impact in our community, where the well-being of our residents is always our top priority. We offer flexible scheduling options (based on position) and foster professional growth through comprehensive training programs and learning opportunities. Shape your future in a career that empowers you to make a difference and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Field Supervisor, performs entry-level animal ordinance enforcement duties. Responds to animal-related complaints, educates the public on animal-related ordinances, impounds animals as necessary, and addresses neighborhood concerns. This position involves a combination of administrative tasks and fieldwork and requires the ability to work independently in potentially hazardous situations involving animals and members of the public.

Schedule: Full-time,40 hours per week, on-call for holidays and weekends

Starting Pay: $22.49 per hour; additional pay depending on experience

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Benefits:

Full Benefits; health, dental, vision, and life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, education assistance program

Retirement: Utah Retirement Systems, pension and/or 401(k)

Job Posting Close Date: May close any time after October 13, 2026

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patrol neighborhoods to identify ordinance violations and impound animals as necessary.
• Respond to public complaints and dispatched calls regarding animal control concerns.
• Educate residents regarding animal ordinances through presentations, printed materials, and personal interactions.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to enforcement, impoundments, and interactions with the public.
• Testify in court regarding enforcement actions as needed.
• Humanely euthanize animals at the direction of the Field Supervisor.
• Participate in regularly scheduled on-call rotations, including evenings and weekends.
• Operate City vehicles and equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILTIES:

This position does not supervise other staff.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• One (1) year of experience in animal services, animal handling, code enforcement, or a related field is preferred.
• Education and experience may be substituted one for the other at the discretion of the division.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Possess a valid Utah driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to obtain Euthanasia Certification within six (6) months of hire.

OTHER:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) clearance.
• Ability to handle, capture, and lift animals up to 50 pounds.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate neighborhoods and locate addresses accurately.
• Demonstrated reading, writing, and math skills.
• Knowledge of City ordinances regarding animal regulations.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in potentially stressful or dangerous situations.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including use of databases and incident reporting software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit, reach, stoop, and handle animals.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and restrain animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to run, climb, or physically engage with animals during capture.
• May be exposed to aggressive, sick, or deceased animals.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

A combination of field and office work. Fieldwork may include exposure to extreme temperatures, rain, snow, dust, strong odors, and potentially hazardous or unsanitary environments. Office settings include fluorescent lighting, standard office equipment, and a shared workspace. Exposure to emotional stress from the public or situations involving injured or deceased animals. Travel throughout the city and occasional travel to other locations is required. Must be able to perform effectively under competing priorities and demanding situations.

If you are reading this and hesitating to click "apply" because you do not check every box in the posting, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.