Animal Control Officer
Animal Control Officer
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$ 67724 - 83158
1 Vacancy
Job Description
The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity inclusion and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the citys historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture community and individualism of employees.
***This recruitment will be used to fill Permanent Full-Time Positions Permanent Part-Time Positions and Temporary Part-Time Positions.Why join the City of Oakland Animal Services Department
Do you love working with people and animals Are you passionate about animal welfare The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill multiple upcoming full-time (FT) and permanent part-time (PPT) Animal Control Officer vacancy in the Oakland Animal Services Department.
As an Animal Control Officer for the City of Oakland you will play a key role in protecting public health promoting responsible pet ownership and ensuring humane treatment of animals. Youll be a frontline advocate for animals and make a real impact in the community.
Under general supervision incumbents are responsible for the enforcement of the animal control laws and ordinances and for providing care to captured animals for the City of Oakland. Animal Control Officers are required to wear a uniform work outdoors and in all types of weather may work non-standard hours and shifts and perform related duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate will have professional or volunteer experience working with companion and/or various types of animals in the animal welfare industry and demonstrates compassion for animals and people while recognizing the importance of adhering to standards and procedures. While this role involves enforcing animal-related regulations it is not a peace officer position.
This is a public contact position. Although no current vacancies require a specific language the eligible list may be used to fill future vacancies that may require bilingual skills.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about caring for animals Whether its a scared stray or a sick pet you treat every animal with compassion and care.
- Able to handle stress You stay calm and focused even in high-pressure or emotional situations.
- A problem solver You think on your feet and can figure things out quickly when challenges arise.
- Committed to animal welfare You believe in doing whats right for animals and the community.
- Skilled at de-escalating situations You can defuse tension with people and keep things professional even when emotions are high.
- An excellent communicator Youre comfortable speaking with the public writing reports and working as part of a team.
- Flexible and reliable Youre willing to work weekends nights holidays and in all kinds of weather. You may also be on-call during off-hours.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Ensuring the safety and well-being of stray sick injured or aggressive animals by providing them with appropriate care and attention.
- Responding to complaints from residents businesses and others about animal-related concerns from barking dogs to injured wildlife.
- Interpreting and enforcing animal laws including local ordinances state regulations and public safety codes.
- Collaborating with the community and working alongside pet owners law enforcement and legal professionals to find the best outcomes for both people and animals.
- Testifying in court when necessary. Youll provide clear factual testimony to support animal-related cases or citations.
Read the complete job description by clicking this Animal Control Officer - Class Specification
*Click on the link below to see a video on what its like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job:
- Meaningful Impact: You will play a critical role in protecting both animals and the community rescuing strays assisting injured pets and ensuring public safety.
- Every Day is Different: You will perform a wide variety of duties from investigating emergency calls to caring for all types of animalsthis is not a desk job. If you thrive in dynamic hands-on work environments youll never be bored.
- Connection to Animals: You will work directly with animals every day providing care and compassion to those in need and helping to relocate or rehome them.
- Public Service: You will interact with community members and help educate the public on important topics like licensing and vaccinations making a direct difference in your community.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- Emotional Challenges: You will be handling unwanted injured or aggressive animals which can be emotionally difficult. This role requires resilience and professionalism in tough situations.
- Physical Demands: You will be lifting restraining animals cleaning facilities and working in all weather conditions sometimes during night hours.
- Difficult Interactions: You will be resolving complaints and issuing citations that may sometimes lead to confrontational situations with the public.
- Work Environment: You will be responding to emergency calls and patrol duties which can require working evenings weekends or holidays on occasion.
Competencies Required:- Adaptability:Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information propositions and claims
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
- Fact Finding:Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
- General Physical Ability:Using strength endurance flexibility balance and coordination
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure challenge or adversity
- Interpersonal Savvy:Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
- Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty adherence to principles and personal accountability
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
- Teamwork:Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
- Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time permanent part-time or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish Cantonese or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03 if a position requires bilingual language skills only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Education:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:
One year of full time work experience involving public contact.Desirable Qualifications:
Six (6) months paid or voluntary experience in the humane care feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and/or houses animals (e.g. animal shelter kennel veterinary hospital boarding or pet day care facility or pet store) working principally with dogs and cats and having the ability to recognize species-specific behavior.Other Requirements:
Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Drivers License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.
Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older.
Must meet California Peace Officer Standards and Training based on California Penal Code 832 within the probationary period.
Must pass a background investigation.
- Required to wear uniform on duty.
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online and HR staff reviews their experience education and training listed on the application against the minimum qualifications listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge skills and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history education or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment all qualified applicants will be invited to take an online multiple-choice test. Youll have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of July 28 2025.
For some recruitments more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test structured interview writing exercise performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points for example if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If youre applying to a restricted posting and you are eligible as a current City employee you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores so if you do not pass every element of the testing process you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Whats in it for you
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem Blue Shield United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account Wellness Program Employee Assistance Program Tuition Reimbursement Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: you do not have access to a computer there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 2nd Floor Oakland CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at for information; however we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions please contact Mary Ann Gonzales Sr. HR Analyst at
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
