Animal Protection Officer

Boulder County, CO; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 62,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

80-hour vacation bank at hire

Monthly vacation & medical leave accrU

Job summary

Boulder County seeks an Animal Protection Officer to enforce animal-related laws, conduct investigations, and prepare case files. The role involves patrols, testimony, and coordination with the District Attorney for prosecutions, with a focus on humane treatment of animals and community safety.

The position requires 21+ years old, a Colorado driver’s license, and the ability to work outdoors in varying weather. A background check and certification readiness within two years are expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Must be 21 years of age with a valid Colorado Driver’s License and insurable driving record.
• Proven work ethics and integrity; experience prioritizing duties and multi‑tasking in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Investigates animal-related county/municipal ordinance and state law violations and coordinates with the Animal Protection Supervisor on progress.
• Interacts with citizens to interpret animal-related ordinances and laws, explains procedures and responsible ownership.
• Issues warnings and legal summonses for violations and prepares case files for court testimony with the District Attorney’s Office as needed.
• Patrols jurisdictions, engages with citizens and animals to ensure compliance and humane treatment.

Skills

Communication skills

Public interaction

Multitasking

Ethics & integrity

Animal handling

Emergency readiness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Colorado Driver’s License

Job description

Animal Protection Officer

Hiring Range:

$5,180 - $5,940 (monthly)

$62,160 - $71,280 (yearly)

Salary Range:

$5,180 - $ 6,962 (monthly)

$62,160 - $83,544 (yearly)

The Animal Protection Officer enforces applicable state laws, county resolutions, and town ordinances involving animals. He/she initiates and completes reports, investigations, summonses and case files as needed to reach a disposition on animal related incidents. He/she may need to perform any other duties as assigned by the Animal Protection Supervisor or other sworn supervisor.

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month.

Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

• Investigates reports of animal related county or municipal ordinance and animal related state law violations, conducts follow‑up investigations, and keeps the Animal Protection Supervisor informed of progress and potential issues.
• Assists citizens with interpretation and understanding of animal related county/municipal ordinances and state laws, department procedure and responsible animal ownership.
• Issues warnings and legal summonses for violations of animal related county/municipal ordinances and state laws, as well as prepare case files, work with the District Attorney’s Office in the preparation of cases, and testify in court cases related to criminal investigations.
• Patrols jurisdictions, initiates contact with citizens and animals to ensure compliance with animal related county/municipal ordinances and state laws, and the humane treatment of animals.
• Capture, control, impound and/or transports domestic, exotic, livestock, and wild animals of differing temperaments.
• Assists in the coordination and response of animal rescue and recovery during disasters.
• Must be able to use assigned technology such as a law enforcement radio, body worn camera, cell phone and mobile data computer.
• Must be willing and prepared to work outside and drive in all types of weather environments and disaster situations, and to work in dangerous conditions at times.
• Must be willing to work varied shift schedules or on‑call status as set forth by Animal Protection Supervisor.
• Must be commissioned by the Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection and pass the certification test of the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado within two years of employment.
• Must obtain euthanasia certification and perform the skills within six months of employment.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to requests for assistance from other jurisdictions and departments as assigned.
• Ensures applicable equipment and work areas are cleaned and maintained.
• Performs wildlife capture, rescue, and/or euthanasia as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

21 years of age with valid driver's license. Applicant must successfully pass a complete and thorough application and background investigation, polygraph and psychological exam, physical drug screen, and other tests as necessary.

Education and Experience

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED; Minimum of 21 years of age, valid Colorado Driver’s License and insurable driving record. Proven work ethics and integrity. Experience prioritizing duties and multi‑tasking within a busy work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced education in an applicable field of study such as, but not limited to Animal Science, Wildlife Science, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Veterinary Technology. Previous animal care, animal welfare and/or animal handling experience. Experience reading and interpreting ordinances. Previous enforcement or animal control experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with staff, community partners and citizens.
• Ability to remain calm and level headed in stressful and emotional work situations. Must be able to interact with a wide‑variety of community members and provide professional, courteous, and ethical customer service at all times.
• Emotional intelligence, ethics, and integrity skills required.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate work assignments and multi‑task within a busy work environment.
• Must have ability to accurately perceive, soundly reason, and correctly judge situations, occurrences, and circumstances.
• Ability and willingness to work in direct contact with and handle animals of all temperaments and in all conditions, including aggressive, injured, ill, and deceased animals is required.
• Able to read and interpret county/municipal ordinances and state laws. Computer and basic clerical, writing, and math skills required.
• Must be comfortable initiating public contact, relaying information, and providing courtroom testimony.
• Possess good communication skills and be able to express oneself clearly and precisely, orally and in writing.
• Must possess the following personality traits:Maturity, honesty, integrity, adaptability, sensitivity, compassion, common sense, good self‑esteem, patience, wisdom, reliability, self‑discipline, creativity, fortitude, assertiveness, pride in work, initiative, dedication to public service, and problem‑solving skills.

Bilingual candidates (speaking, reading, writing and understanding) are eligible for additional compensation.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Capture, handling, restraint and exposure to domestic and wild animals, aggressive animals. Exposure to animal waste, and zoonotic diseases. Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment, requiring standing and walking for extended periods of time. Entrance into houses or other buildings at times. Must be able to push and pull (up to 40 lbs./force) and perform occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs.). Exposure to dangerous conditions including aggressive persons, traffic, weather, and natural/man‑made disasters.