Animal Control Officer

Salary : $69,044.40 - $82,004.64 Annually Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck. Location : Auburn, WA Job Type: Full-Time Department: Police Division: Police Opening Date: 03/19/2025 FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: NCP Position Details * * * * * OUR CITY The City of Auburn is home to over 90,000 residents and encompasses over 29.8 square miles of land, two rivers, and is part of two counties - King and Pierce. The City operates as a Strong-Mayor form of Mayor-Council government, with a City Council of seven at-large members. Auburn is also home to hundreds of businesses - ranging from manufacturing to retail. OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT The Auburn Police Department is committed to building a positive, proactive partnership with the citizens of Auburn and strives to be a premier law enforcement agency that is trusted, supported, and respected. The department is comprised of 140 staff to include: Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, (5) Commanders, (13) Sergeants, (98) Officers/Detectives, (16) Non-Commissioned staff (Animal Control, Parking Enforcement, Evidence, and Records), a Crime Analyst, Public Information Officer, Wellness Program Designer, and (3) Administrative Assistants. Our community is policed by professionals who serve with a noble purpose and make decisions based on trust and honesty. All employees of the Auburn Police Department are committed to providing exceptional customer service to the citizens we serve. POSITION DETAILS This position is responsible for performing the full range of animal control services and is primarily concerned with care and safety of animals and prevention and elimination of conflicts between animals and community residents. The incumbent, on a routine basis, will enforce state and local laws and ordinances to protect the safety and rights of the public and the welfare of animals within the City limits, apprehending, restraining and controlling stray or lost animals in a safe manner, responding to animal complaints, and ensuring compliance with licensing requirements. This work is performed in accordance with Departmental rules, regulations, and policies, and normally consists of routine patrol, preliminary investigations, and animal control enforcement. Will perform tasks and responsibilities including, but not limited to, stray animal pick-up, transport and confinement, animal cruelty, licensing violations, vicious animals, property damage complaints due to animal involvement, educating and training the public on proper animal care and legal requirements, preparing reports, attending meetings, testifying in court, and conducting applicable vaccinations and sanitizing activities. This is a Non-Commissioned position represented by our IAM Union and their current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is effective 1/1/22 - 12/31/24. * * * * * Primary Duties Listed below are some of the focus areas for this position. To view a full list of job responsibilities, *Responsible for enforcing civil codes and disposition of violations, to include, resolution by voluntary compliance, issuing notices of violations, corrective orders, infractions, orders to cease activity; may appear as a witness in legal actions *Acquires information concerning animal control law violations within the patrol area, organizes and prioritizes the routine and emergency calls, takes action or relays the information to the proper authority *Performs tasks and responsibilities to include responding to reports of vicious animals, animal cruelty or neglect, animal pick-up and confinement, and property damage complaints *Apprehends , controls and confines loose, unlicensed, injured, abandoned or dangerous animals - both domestic animals and livestock; assesses and evaluates the condition of animals to determine appropriate course of action\; makes every effort to locate owners before impounding animal. If pet owner is not known, transports animals to appropriate location; ensures proper arrangements for severely injured or diseased animals, which may include authorizing euthanasia; retrieves dead animals; handles animals safely and properly, administers vaccines and follows proper cleaning and sanitizing protocols *Assists the animal shelter by performing animal intake procedures which may include booking in animals, using their shelter computer program, administering vaccinations and moving the animal into the proper kennel, cage or crate at the designated shelter *Investigates reports of animal cruelty and vicious animals; interviews individuals and attempts to resolve cases in an efficient and appropriate manner *Collects evidence, prepares written reports, represents the City at public hearings; Assists police and City Attorney's Office in cases involving animals, participates in court case preparation, testifies in court and communicates with complainants, victims and suspects; maintains the chain of custody on all evidence *Assists in the education of the public on animal services, animal adoption, alternatives to sheltering, licensing requirements and laws related to animal services; may make oral presentations to schools, community organizations or the media, if appropriate *Manages animal bite cases to ensure proper public health notifications/requirements are made *Mediates and helps resolve conflicts between parties involving animal issues including, but not limited to, property damage, barking, cruelty, degree of animal confinement, potential or actual danger and injury to or by animals *Maintains knowledge of State, local, and related animal control ordinances; methods and techniques of investigation including rules of evidence, legal process, enforcement of codes, laws of arrest and court procedures; and legal liabilities and responsibilities of those involved with the enforcement of codes, laws and regulations pertaining to animal welfare; animal and breed identification * = Primary function. Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : High school graduate or equivalent; Must be at least 21 years of age; Minimum of one year experience as a Municipal or County Animal Control Officer; Graduate of the state certified Animal Control Officer Academy (or a similar ACO training program from other states) preferred; if not, must successfully complete the Washington Animal Control Officer Academy sponsored by the Washington Animal Control Association within six (6) months of hire. Must successfully complete a thorough background investigation, to include psychological interview, medical and polygraph examinations. Possess and retain a valid state driver's license, during tenure of employment, without impending loss at time of appointment. Must receive and keep current rabies and tetanus vaccinations Additional Information WHY CHOOSE THE CITY OF AUBURN? Competitive salary with scheduled step increases on an annual basis Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans with employee premiums paid by the City Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plans Paid holidays as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement VEBA ( tax-free health savings account) Optional Flexible Spending benefit plan Deferred Compensation plan options; both pre-tax and Roth (post-tax) plan options Wellness Program for all Police Personnel City-wide Employee Wellness Program Employee Assistance Program ( EAP ) Education (1% for an Associate's degree; 3% Bachelor's or higher degree) Longevity Pay starting after 5 years of service Overtime opportunities And more For more information about what benefits the City provides, please COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION Commitment to Inclusion Team Auburn values a wide range of perspectives and life experiences and believes our strength comes from the diversity of people and ideas. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals who will help us foster a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and service to the community. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation. To learn more about the Inclusive Auburn initiative, please visit: READY TO APPLY? If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter listed at the end of this job announcement. RECRUITMENT PROCESS The City of Auburn is dedicated to building an inclusive, informed city, with opportunities for all. In alignment with that goal, the City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the initial screening of applications. For that reason, hiring managers will not be viewing any attachments to your application, including a cover letter or resume, during the initial screening. Please make sure to submit a complete and updated job application, and thoroughly answer the supplemental questions. You must meet the minimum qualifications to move forward in the screening process. Please note that if you are selected to move forward after the Oral Examination, a thorough pre-employment background investigation will be conducted which will include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, finances, and driving record. Additional background testing will include a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, pre-employment medical exam including a drug screening, and a Chief's Interview. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY OF AUBURN We primarily communicate via e-mail during the recruitment process. E-mails from and/or should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. CONTACT INFORMATION If you have any questions, please contact Terry Mendoza, HR Analyst/Civil Service Examiner, by email at or by phone at 253-876-1944. * * * * * Please visit our Employee Benefits webpage for details: 01 Please indicate your highest level of education. High School or equivalent Associate's Degree Bachelor's or higher degree N/A 02 Do you meet the age requirement as listed in the job posting (at least 21 years of age)? Yes No 03 Please indicate the number of years of experience you have as a Municipal or County Animal Control Officer. No experience Less than one year One year Two or more years 04 Are you a graduate of a state certified Animal Control Officer Academy (or a similar ACO training program from another state)? xrczosw No, I am not a graduate of an Animal Control Officer Academy or ACO training program. Yes Required Question