The City of Elk Grove is now accepting applications for the position of
ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER
The City of Elk Grove is seeking Animal Services Officers to join the Police Department at our state-of-the art Animal Shelter. The ideal candidate is a compassionate, self-motivated professional who thrives in a dynamic and community-oriented environment. They possess exceptional customer service skills, demonstrating patience, empathy, and professionalism while interacting with community members, coworkers, and partner agencies.
This individual has a strong sense of personal accountability and can work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment, integrity, and professionalism. They are proactive in resolving issues, adaptable and resilient, remaining calm under pressure and making thoughtful decisions in emotionally challenging or rapidly changing situations. The ideal candidate is comfortable working outdoors in a variety of conditions, safely handling animals of all sizes and temperaments, and responding to situations involving injured, stray, neglected, or aggressive animals.
We are looking for someone who values teamwork but is equally confident in taking initiative in the field. They can balance education with enforcement, communicate effectively during difficult conversations, and de-escalate conflict while maintaining a professional demeanor. They understand that the position requires flexibility to meet operational needs, including working irregular hours, weekends, holidays, overtime, split shifts, and on-call assignments, as needed. Strong report writing, attention to detail, and the ability to accurately interpret and apply animal control laws, ordinances, and policies are essential.
Above all, the ideal candidate is passionate about public service and animal welfare. They are committed to protecting the health and safety of both the community and its animals through compassionate care, education, enforcement, and collaborative problem-solving.
Successful candidates understand that this role requires equal parts compassion, enforcement, and problem-solving, and they are comfortable making difficult decisions while treating both people and animals with dignity and respect.
Learn more about the City of Elk Grove’s state-of-the-art Animal Shelter.
Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Filing Deadline: August 5, 2026, by 11:59 pm
Oral Board Interviews: August 20, 2026 (virtual)
Selection Interviews: August 25, 2026 (in person)
The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more. Why work for the City of Elk Grove? Elk Grove Jobs
Community Profile
Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
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Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic, livestock and common wild animals.
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Symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
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Behavior and handling of common domestic, livestock or wild animals.
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Methods and techniques of animal collection and impoundment.
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Methods and equipment used in the care and control of animals.
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State and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the proper care and control of animals.
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Principles and practices of animal care and first aid.
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Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
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Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to:
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Perform a variety of animal control activities.
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Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal under stressful or emergency situations.
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Identify symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common domestic animal diseases.
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Enforce animal control rules and regulations.
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Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
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Use of independent judgment and initiative in accomplishing work assignments.
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Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
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Deal tactfully, courteously and effectively with the public when providing customer service.
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Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
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Operate a variety of animal control equipment in a safe and effective manner including instant release control poles, animal grasper, animal traps, raccoon/skunk boxes, animal gauntlets, snappy snares, snake tongs, dog leads, Oplus-XT Rifle/pistol projector tranquilizer equipment, injection equipment for humane euthanasia, and other equipment for control and capture purposes.
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Operate office equipment including computers.
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Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
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Work in a team environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education/Training:
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Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. College level course work in animal health technology, animal husbandry, animal science or closely related field is desirable.
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Graduation from an accredited animal control academy (such as the National Animal Control Association) is desirable.
Experience:
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Experience working in an animal control agency or shelter with responsibilities including the handling of various animal species is preferred.
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(2) two years of the experience listed above is highly desirable.
License or Certificate:
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Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
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Possession of a certificate of completion of Euthanasia by Injection within six months of hire.
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Possession of a certificate of completion of Arrest, Search and Seizure (Penal Code 832) within six months of hire.
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Possession of a certificate of completion of Basic Humane Officer Training Academy prior to completion of the probationary period within six months of hire.
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Possession of a certificate of completion of Animal Chemical Capture within six months of hire.
Retired Annuitants: This is a regular full-time position. Retired Annuitants are not eligible for appointment to this position under Government Code Sections 7522.56, 21224, 21227, and 21229. Retired CalPERS members may apply only if they are planning to voluntarily reinstate from retirement.
Employment Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship or any other type of employment-based visa sponsorship.
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a field environment; exposure to a variety of domestic, livestock and wild animals; exposure to infectious animal diseases, animal wastes, animal bites, allergens, and inclement weather conditions; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to travel to various locations to pick up and dispose of animals; exert physical strength when handling animals and livestock; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; to operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; to operate assigned equipment and vehicle; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied
contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230.
City of Elk Grove participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.