Arvada Animal Management Officer

Belrea Institute of Animal Technology; Arvada, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 79,832,000 - 109,143,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Arvada is hiring an Animal Management Officer to protect residents and animals by enforcing municipal laws and coordinating with police and other departments. This role handles animal incidents, performs evidence collection, reports, education, and community outreach while operating city vehicles and maintaining high ethical standards.

Applicants must complete background checks, CJIS training, and obtain Colorado Animal Control Officer Certification within one year.

Qualifications

• Must possess current Colorado Animal Control Officer Certification through AWAC, or obtain within one year from date of hire.
• Must successfully complete all annual in-service training and certification requirements.
• A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
• Two years customer service experience in a high-pressure work environment required.
• Proficiency in computer and typing.

Responsibilities

• Responds to and investigates allegations of municipal code violations related to animals.
• Captures controls or confines domestic animals, livestock, and wildlife.
• Collects evidence, issues citations, conducts follow-up, prepares cases, and testifies in court hearings.
• Documents call for service and maintains related information in police records management system.
• Educates owners about current ordinances and responsible pet ownership.
• Frequently operates a vehicle to drive to work locations.

Skills

Work independently

Teamwork

Communication

Operate vehicle

Education

High School/GED

Tools

Heat laser thermometer

Digital camera

Microchip reader

Conducted Electrical Weapon

Catch pole

Snappy snare

Job description

The City of Arvada promotes Equal Pay for Equal Work. Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity. The range listed reflects the entire range and typical placement is entry to mid range.

Pay Range: $27.86-$38.09 Hourly

The City is seeking a dedicated Animal Management Officer to protect animals, support community safety, and enforce animal-related municipal and state laws. This role provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency animal management services, responds to complex and often sensitive situations, and works closely with law enforcement and other City departments to ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and residents.

If you thrive in a dynamic environment, value ethical service, and want a career that combines enforcement, education, and compassion, this is an opportunity to serve your community in a meaningful and impactful way.

Please Note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the interview process may begin at any time. Submission of an application does not guarantee advancement in the selection process. This recruitment may close once all available positions have been filled.

Essential Job Functions

• Responds to and investigates allegations of municipal code violations related to animals including those that are stray, sick, vicious, injured, or dead to determine validity of complaints and determine the appropriate course of action to mitigate the problem.
• Captures controls or confines domestic animals, livestock, and wildlife.
• Collects evidence, issues citations, conducts follow-up, prepares cases, authors search warrants, and testifies in court hearings and trials.
• Documents call for service, completes reports, and maintain related information in police records management system.
• Demonstrates a high level of ethics, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Uses specialized safety equipment to ensure personal safety such as a Conducted Electrical Weapon, catch pole and snappy snare.
• Interacts with the public via phone, electronic mail, in writing or in person to ascertain complaints and to provide or gather information related to complaints, enforcement, and other city codes.
• Transmits clearly and concisely on police radio and follows proper radio procedure.
• Exercises initiative and judgment as well as makes decisions and problem solves in a variety of situations.
• Performs informal mediation and makes referrals to formal mediation.
• Consults, interacts, and coordinates with a variety of city departments.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports for general patrol and park enforcement activity.
• Prepares and completes educational presentations for schools or other community members.
• Educates owners and complainants about current ordinances in effect and responsible pet ownership.
• Frequently operates a personal or City-owned motor vehicle to drive to and from work locations throughout the City.

Other Job Functions

• Operates an emergency city vehicle equipped with a SWAB unit with only side mirrors (designed to carry animals) in normal and high-profile situations.
• Performs euthanasia as necessary using Schedule III drugs and/or assists with euthanasia decisions.
• Assists patrol with traffic control, evacuations, and transportation of large pieces of evidence/found property.
• Participates in miscellaneous city committees, attends neighborhood meetings and special events.
• Assists with training of new hires.
• Utilizes hazing devices such as pepper ball guns to displace menacing wildlife.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work alone and in a team environment.
• Ability to complete general office duties including data entry, filing and copying.
• Ability to use special equipment to capture evidence such as a heat laser thermometer, digital camera, microchip reader or other small tools.
• Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Knowledge Skills Abilities Preferred

License & Certification

• Must possess current Colorado Animal Control Officer Certification through the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado (AWAC), or obtain within one (1) year from date of hire.
• Must successfully complete all annual and as-needed in-service training and certification requirements.
• A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.

Education Degree

• High School/GED

Education Major

Education Required

• Yes

Work Experience Related

• Human relations and interpersonal communication skills as demonstrated .
• Two (2) years customer service experience in a high-pressure work environment required.
• Proficiency in computer and typing.

Work Experience Preferred

• One (1) year experience related to animal management, or an environment designated for the treatment, care and placement of animals preferred.

Other Qualifications

• Position is subject to an extensive background check, which may include fingerprinting, a polygraph examination, verification of employment and education, a review of criminal and driving records, reference checks, and other relevant factors as required.
• Must obtain and maintain a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Certification.

Physical Demands

• Strenuous to extreme physical effort that includes frequent use of heavy objects (e.g., 50+ pounds) and may also use heavy tools or require strenuous application in awkward positions. Individuals in strenuous positions must successfully complete a physical examination to ensure their fitness for duty.
• Occasional hazards that are predictable or well protected against (Hazardous waste, ladders, cleaning supplies, trips and falls).
• Regular exposure to heat and noise along with working outside in the elements.

The City of Arvada offers a robust Total Rewards package. To find out more details, select here .

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values:

• Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.
• Passion: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.
• Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.

The City’s Core values are in every employee’s individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City’s values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City’s policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.