Animal Control Officer (FT)

Habersham County; Georgia; On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Habersham County is seeking an Animal Control Officer (FT) to enforce local laws, care for shelter animals, and respond to emergencies. The starting salary is $17.72 to $18.72 per hour, non-exempt, with on-call availability and weekend/holiday work required.

The role involves patrolling, investigations, issuing citations, assisting with euthanasia when needed, and coordinating with state agencies. Applicants must have a high school diploma, a valid Georgia driver's license, and pass background

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old at time of hire.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in animal control or related field preferred.
• Valid Georgia driver's license.
• Pass background/reference checks and pre-employment drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Patrols the county and responds to service calls for stray or potentially rabid animals.
• Investigates animal control violations and prepares court reports.
• Issues citations and maintains incident reports.
• Responds to after-hours emergencies and welfare checks.
• Transports animals to shelters and coordinates with veterinarians.
• Assists in euthanasia decisions when required.
• Provides information to the public and conducts community trainings.

Skills

On-call availability

Weekend/holiday work

Investigative reporting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Habersham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.

Position: Animal Control Officer (FT) Department: Animal Care and Control Starting Salary: $17.72/hour - $18.72/hour FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Posting Date: October 29, 2026 Closing Date: November 8, 2026

Job Summary: This position is responsible for the care, maintenance, health, quarantine, and disposition of animals and for the enforcement of local, and state animal cruelty, animal control, animal nuisance, and rabies laws. This position requires availability to be on-call and to respond to emergency calls within 45 minutes. This position also requires work on weekends and holidays.

Major Duties

• Patrols the county and responds to service calls to locate and pick up stray, injured, nuisance, vicious, dangerous, diseased, or potentially rabid animals.
• Conducts investigations on animal control ordinance violations; interviews witnesses, collects evidence, prepares reports, and testifies in court.
• Issues citations for violations of animal control ordinance; maintains field notes and information to complete incident reports on cases to be processed and provided to courts.
• Interviews citizens and files reports related to animal bites; completes required documentation.
• Responds to after-hours emergency calls.
• Loads, delivers, sets, and baits animal traps; removes captured animals from traps.
• Locates pet owners whose animals are in County custody due to hospitalization, arrest, or otherwise unlivable conditions; informs pet owners on process for reclaiming their animal; traces rabies tags, microchips, ID tags, and tattoos.
• Cleans shelter facilities, cages, and runs.
• Provides food, water, and medical care to shelter animals.
• Completes animal intakes, assists with adoptions, surrenders, and reclaims.
• Provides information and assistance to the general public.
• Maintains and repairs equipment and tools; maintains department facilities.
• Arranges animal transportation to other facilities.
• Participates in the selection of animals for euthanasia and assists with euthanasia as needed.
• Coordinates with the Department of Natural Resources to receive sick or injured wildlife in need of rehabilitation services; maintains State required record on all wildlife received with the animal’s disposition; maintains Sate required records on all wildlife release.
• Conducts training for local schools and civic groups.
• Produces a variety of content for publication across multiple mediums; hosts and assists in based events; gives statements and interviews with various media and public interest groups.

Additional Duties

• May appear in court as investigating officer or witness, and may at times present cases, evidence, and testimony to judge and juries. Assists in court proceedings and security.
• Performs other related duties as required for the efficient operations of the department.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be at least 18 years old or older at time of hire to meet all legal state requirements for this position.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position usually associated with one year of experience.
• Certificates of NACA basic one, ACCA basic, Taser, capsicum, ASAP, chemical preferred.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License issued by the State of Georgia.
• Must pass a Background/Reference Check and Pre-Employment Drug Screenings prior to the start of employment.