Community Animal Officer

Priority Dispatch Corp.; Saint Helens (OR); On-site; USD 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union represented

Job summary

Priority Dispatch Corp. in Saint Helens, Oregon, seeks a Community Animal Officer for a full-time Civil Service position. The role involves enforcing animal control laws, caring for animals in the kennel, and maintaining records.

The incumbent will work with the Sheriff’s Office to address animal-related issues within the county. The position requires a high school diploma with specialized courses and at least three years of related shelter or veterinary experience, plus the ability to obtain

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a high school diploma plus additional specialized courses in the field and three years related work experience in an animal shelter or veterinary office.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and enforce state laws and county ordinances related to animal control.
• Attend to and care for animals in the kennel facility.
• Maintain records of impounded animals and support animal control operations.
• Respond to complaints and requests for animal-related services.
• Apprehend stray animals posing health hazards.
• Locate owners or transport dogs to the animal control shelter.
• Record new dogs in care.
• Assist Sheriff or deputies with animal-related investigations and transports.
• Feed and water animals according to schedules.
• Examine animals for illness and provide treatment per instructions.
• Clean and disinfect cages, pens, and yards.

Skills

Animal care

Shelter management

Recordkeeping

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma with specialized courses

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Job Details

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Animal Control - Saint Helens, OR 97051Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $4,599.00 - $6,519.00 Salary/monthAnnouncement# 2026-021

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Salary Range: $4,599.00 to $6,519.00 per month

The COMMUNITY ANIMAL OFFICER position is full-time, 40 hours, Civil Service, and Union represented.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is looking for a Community Animal Officer to be a part of the team dedicated to solving community problems, the reduction of crime, and the preservation of laws, ordinances and the constitutional rights of all people within our jurisdiction.

DUTIES:

• Conduct investigations and carry out enforcement of state laws under ORS 609 and County ordinances relating to animal control issues within the County.
• Attend to and care for animals in the kennel facility.
• Compile and maintain records of impounded animals and perform administrative duties to support the Animal Control Department.
• Respond to complaints, inquiries, and requests for services involving animal-related problems including animal bites, nuisance complaints, and reports of strays, livestock kills, and inhumane treatment of animals.
• Apprehend stray animals that are a health hazard to the public.
• Locate animal owner or transport animals (dogs) to the animal control shelter.
• In-process and record new dogs in our care.
• Assist the Sheriff or Enforcement Deputies as needed with animal related complaints, investigations, and transports.
• Feed and water animals according to schedules.
• Examine animals for signs of illness and treat according to instructions.
• Clean and disinfect cages, pens, and yards.

QualificationsEDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Equivalent to a high school diploma plus additional specialized courses in the field and three years related work experience in an animal shelter or veterinary office. Any satisfactory combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the above duties may be satisfactory.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Possession of, or ability to obtain within two months of hire, state certification to euthanize animals. Possession of an appropriate motor vehicle operator's license and must be insurable under the County's liability insurance policy.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be free of criminal convictions which would affect appointment to enforce the related ordinances/statutes or which would violate any other County policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

Considerable knowledge of shelter management, animal care, behavior and handling, including rabies control and prevention, disease recognition and humane euthanasia and animal related laws. Considerable knowledge of safety rules and practices pertaining to animal control. Familiarity with the use of computers and business software such as word processing and spreadsheets. Ability to plan, organize and supervise the efficient and economic performance of staff. Ability to efficiently and effectively operate equipment used in the performance of duties assigned. Ability to operate equipment safely under adverse conditions. Ability to act effectively in emergency situations. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, County officials and the general public.