Dog Control Officer

Yamhill County; McMinnville (OR); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive pay for education

Incentive pay for bilingual speakers

Job summary

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office is actively recruiting to fill one regular, full-time position as a Dog Control Officer. The officer patrols the county to respond to and investigate dog welfare concerns or complaints under county ordinances and Oregon Revised Statutes dog control laws.

The job requires working 24/7 with rotational 8-, 10- or 12-hour shifts, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays, with overtime as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in dog-related enforcement or animal services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and investigate dog welfare concerns and complaints under county ordinances and state law.
• Patrol county areas to enforce dog control regulations.
• Coordinate with local agencies and communities as needed.
• Complete required background checks and pass examinations as part of the selection process.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Decision making

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma / GED

Job description

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office is actively recruiting to fill one regular, full-time position as a Dog Control Officer. The Dog Control Officer patrols the county, including residential and business areas, in order to respond to and investigate dog welfare concerns or complaints relating to County ordinance and Oregon Revised Statutes dog control laws.

Position requires work in a 24-hour per day, 7-day a week environment with shift rotation in 8-hour, 10-hour, or 12-hour shifts. May be required to work with rotating shift schedules including working day, swing, and night shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.

This position is represented through Teamsters Local 223. Incentive pay, in addition to base salary, is available for education and bilingual speakers.

This position carries an 18-month probationary period.

THE CANDIDATE

Successful candidates will possess good moral character, demonstrate strong customer service and communication skills, and put forth a professional image. They are skilled, highly motivated, self-directed individuals with strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as skill in communicating effectively with individuals during difficult and often stressful situations.

More information on preference, qualifications, and disqualifiers, including our reapplication timelines, can be found at https://www.yamhillcounty.gov/699/Join-The-Team.

NEXT STEPS

Qualified applicants will be invited to take the POST exam at our office in McMinnville; we do not offer online, proctored, or remote POST exams. Testing will be Monday, November 30, 2026, at 10:00 am. Applicants should be prepared to be on-site for approximately two hours.

Interviews for those who achieve passing POST scores (70% or greater on each of the four sections) will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2026, beginning at 9:00 am.

Candidates selected to move forward after interviews will be required to complete the remaining steps, coordinated through Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, as outlined at https://www.yamhillcounty.gov/699/Join-The-Team.

YAMHILL COUNTY COMMUNITY

Yamhill County has approximately 109,000 residents and is a very desirable place to live in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country. Yamhill County is home to Linfield University and Chemeketa Community College in McMinnville and George Fox University and Portland Community College in Newberg. Yamhill County is centrally located in the Willamette Valley, within close proximity to the Oregon Coast, the Portland and Salem metropolitan areas, and the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Wide varieties of indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities are available. We have the benefits, appeal and superior quality of life found in a small-town community, while enjoying active social and cultural lifestyles found in larger metropolitan areas.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Please refer to the Dog Control Officer classification specifications for the official job description and list of essential job duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Please refer to the Dog Control Officer classification specifications for the official job description and required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• A high school diploma / GED is required.
• Must possess:
  • One (1) year of experience as an Animal Services Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, or similar position that included enforcement of dog related laws;
  • completion of at least one (1) year of technical training in veterinary assistance or a related program, AND one (1) year of experience as an Animal Service Technician;
  • two (2) years of experience as an Animal Services Technician or related experience in a kennel, veterinary office, animal clinic, or comparable setting that involved handling, controlling, and caring for dogs;
  • related experience may substitute for the above requirements.
• Employees authorized to operate a private vehicle on County business are required to carry a valid driver’s license and liability insurance minimums as outlined in ORS 806.070.

Will be subject to successful completion of a personal background check including, but not limited to, criminal, civil, driving, military, educational, and employment history.

This is a field position and applicants will be required to pass a medical exam and psychological evaluation prior to appointment.

This position carries an 18-month probationary period.

ADDITIONAL LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS

Please refer to the Dog Control Officer classification specifications for the official job description and additional licenses, certifications, and specialty requirements.

The incumbent typically performs shiftwork with periodic change in shifts; working alone in isolated geographic areas in all types of weather and conditions, and often in confined spaces. The noise level in the work environment varies depending on the situation. Work involves stress of working with loose dogs, aggressive or injured dogs, and hostile individuals and/or situations. The incumbent will likely encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday.

The employee is regularly required to possess the strength and stamina to sit for long periods of time in a County vehicle and to enter and exit the vehicle quickly and frequently; and to possess the strength, stamina, coordination, and balance to stand and walk for long periods; to walk and run on uneven surfaces; to bend and reach to conduct inspections / investigations; to climb ladders, fences, and other obstacles; to run in pursuit of dogs; to physically restrain uncooperative and violent dogs, and to carry equipment and supplies.

Contact with the public in a variety of environments may risk exposure to emotional individuals and circumstances including dead, injured, and/or sick wild or domestic animals, mainly dogs.

Please refer to the Dog Control Officer classification specifications for the official job description and full information regarding work environment and physical abilities.

REQUIRED INFORMATION

Under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, any person hired or rehired is required to provide evidence of identity and eligibility for employment. Yamhill County does not offer VISA sponsorships. The County verifies the valid work authorization of each employee using Form I-9 and the E-Verify Program.

Yamhill County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and values diversity.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants are considered for employment based on their qualifications without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other factor prohibited by law or regulation. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Do not include information or photos that would identify those personal traits. Any documents submitted with the application that include this identifying information will not be accepted with the application.

Some positions require a criminal history check and a review of driving record. All County positions require regular, prompt, and consistent attendance.

ACCOMMODATION UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:

Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance, please contact Human Resources at 503-474-4901 or via email at [e-mail].

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Under Oregon law ORS 408.225-408.238, veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for hiring preference. If you think you may qualify, please complete and attach all of the following:

• Veteran’s Hiring Preference (Veterans Preference Hiring Form-PDF)
  • Form must be completed and submitted with application. (Download PDF reader)
• Supporting Documentation (Refer to Veterans Preference form for list)

If you need assistance with completing an application for employment or with obtaining a Veteran’s Hiring Preference Form, please contact Human Resources at 503-474-4901 or via email at [e-mail].

Questions regarding this recruitment should be addressed to Emily Williams, Executive Assistant, via email at [e-mail].