Animal Law Enforcement Recruit

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.

Job Summary

The Animal Law Enforcement Officer Recruit will actively pursue the knowledge and skills that will enable the employee to perform the duties and responsibilities of an Animal Law Enforcement Officer I. Must be able to perform the key duties and responsibilities of an Animal Law Enforcement Officer I at the end of the training period and meet the requirements to be promoted to ALE Officer Level I.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful applicant must be able to meet or exceed the minimum education, experience, and abilities necessary to perform ALL essential job functions, unassisted, and at a pace and level of performance consistent with job requirements.

• Complies with all Animal Law Enforcement policies and procedures and training guidelines;
• Actively participates and meets or exceeds the requirements of the Animal Law Enforcement Officer Training Program;
• Attend and actively participate in the ALE Academic courses and Field Training phase of the academy as outlined in the ALE Training Academy schedule;
• Maintains good attendance throughout the ALE Academy;
• Demonstrates the ability to receive and apply constructive feedback;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, customers, and citizens;
• Performs administrative duties as assigned;
• Represents Animal Law Enforcement and the contracted jurisdictions in a professional and courteous manner at all times;
• Promptly reports violations of policy and procedure and/or conduct unbecoming to Division and/or Department Leadership;
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times;
• Resolves conflict while promoting a responsible community where animals are inherently valued and owners are committed to their pets;
• Ability to perform under stress and perform physical abilities consistent with Animal Law Enforcement duties;
• Speaks English clearly and converses effectively with persons of divergent ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds. Projects voice clearly and forcefully when necessary while under personal stress;
• Ability to prepare written reports, memos, citations, activity logs, etc. This includes the documentation of own observations and actions; and statements of victims, witnesses, and suspects. Writes legibly using acceptable grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with peers, supervisors, and the public. Maintains control over situations and appropriately handles conflict;
• Ability to apply reason and logic rapidly in a legally correct manner when under physical, emotional, and intellectual stress. Comprehends and processes new information quickly and accurately. Retains relevant information;
• Ability to identify a variety of domestic animals and effectively manage their behaviors including working in direct contact with aggressive and injured animals;
• Other duties and tasks as assigned by the Department and/or Divisional Leadership.

Minimum Performance Standards for continued employment

• At the end of the ALE Training Academy (approximately 12 weeks), the ALE Officer Recruit must be able to pass the ALE Training Final Exam with a minimum score of 80% and successfully complete the Field Training phase as outlined in PowerDMS. ALE Officer Recruits will need to be able to complete the following tasks, at which time they will be promoted to ALE Officer Level I.
• Can consistently complete the following calls for service and all associated documentation without direct supervision: animal impound, dog at large, and noisy pet;
• Can consistently complete Priority 1 calls for service with supervision and/or assistance from a supervisor or more senior officer;
• Proven ability to successfully and consistently intake dogs and cats (vaccinate, locate open kennels, follow established animal sheltering policy and procedures, etc.) into the shelter and complete all associated documentation in Chameleon;
• Recruit's Primary FTO will determine when the employee has successfully completed the Field Training phase of the academy through the completion of Daily Observation Reports (DOR's) and as appropriate, make recommendations for promotion to ALE Officer Level I to the Divisional Leader;
• ALE Training Manager will determine the successful completion of the Academic Training and as appropriate recommend the Recruit for promotion to the appropriate Divisional Leader;
• ALE Sergeant will make the final determination to promote the ALE Officer Recruit to ALE Officer Level 1 based on skills demonstrated, DOR's, and the Training Sergeant's recommendation.
• If after no more than fifteen (15) weeks of employment, the ALE Officer Recruit is unable to successfully complete the Field Training Phase of the training academy or is unable to pass the ALE Training Final Exam with a score of 80% or more, the Recruit's employment will be terminated.

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 or more pounds of moving weight.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand, walk and run. Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use both hands and arms to grip, pull and push utilizing safety equipment such as, but not limited to catchpoles, snappy snares, leashes, ropes, muzzles.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Must handle various animals of various sizes to include aggressive animals and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• Regularly exposed to noise and hazardous weather conditions.
• Regularly drives a HSPPR Vehicle to perform duties, including extended periods of time and in varying weather conditions.

Schedule Requirements

• Candidate must be available to start Training Academy on January 5, 2026.
• Will be required to work weekends, nights and holidays.
• Will be required to work on-call, assisting staff or customers in person and/or verbally over telephone.

Education/Experience/Qualifications Necessary

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• At least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License and insurable driving record.
• Have no convictions for felonies or crimes of moral turpitude.
• Pass a drug test, basic physical fitness test, hearing and eye exam (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception).
• Pass various qualifying exams and background investigations.
• Successful completion of ALE Training academy (academic and field training).
• Eligibility for commission as an Agent for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Protection.

**Application Deadline: Friday, November 28, 2025, or until position is filled.**

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision* Insurances ~~ Supplemental Group Insurance* ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks

(*) Employee pays the full premium

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.