Sergeant of Animal Control
Arlington, VA
Full Time
Animal Control
Experienced
Summary: The Sergeant Animal Control Officer reports to the Chief Animal Control Officer and plays a key role in ensuring the enforcement of animal control ordinances, laws, and regulations within Arlington County. This exempt, leadership-level position is responsible for conducting investigations and inspections; issuing warrants, citations, and warnings; providing necessary resources; and maintaining accurate records of daily operations. The role also involves engaging with the public to promote awareness of animal-related regulations and humane animal care practices.
As a front-facing and community-engaged position, it requires excellent judgment, strong customer service skills, and a genuine commitment to public service and animal welfare. This is a full time position with a salary range of $48,615.00 - $66,045.00. The position is expected to hire in at the mid range of $57,330.00
Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:
Animal Control:
Education
Experience
Communication & People Skills
Working with animals involves frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and extended periods of walking or standing. You will need strong hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate common equipment like computers, telephones, photocopiers, and other systems/tools used in daily tasks.
Be prepared for exposure to injured or deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals, and fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures. You may assist in restraining animals, including those that are distressed or aggressive, and face potentially hazardous situations like bites or scratches.
Physical strength and dexterity are essential for managing animals on a leash, often while performing other tasks such as opening doors. You should be able to lift and move heavy objects or animals (up to 50 lbs) and engage in active, physical work throughout the day.
Clear hearing and vision are necessary for effective communication with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Flexibility and adaptability are also crucial to managing frequent interruptions and changes in routine. Comfort around a wide variety of animals—including dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife—is key.
Additionally, this role requires emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience to handle both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working with animals. Candidates must maintain composure, show compassion, and stay focused in a dynamic environment.
Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations
Benefits: We offer comprehensive medical benefits, including dental and vision insurance. Employees accrue vacation and sick time separately, with 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays each year. After two years of employment, employees are eligible for a 7% retirement contribution from the company. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additionally, we offer a salary bonus for proficiency in Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish, or Vietnamese. Employees also receive free pet adoptions, free pet vaccines, and other pet-related benefits.
As a front-facing and community-engaged position, it requires excellent judgment, strong customer service skills, and a genuine commitment to public service and animal welfare. This is a full time position with a salary range of $48,615.00 - $66,045.00. The position is expected to hire in at the mid range of $57,330.00
Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:
Animal Control:
- Investigate all complaints of cruelty to animals and violations of state and local laws pertaining to keeping, raising and housing of all animals both domestic and wild.
- Enforce Arlington County’s dog leash law and all other animal and fowl codes pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Arlington County Code
- Investigate animal bite complaints, implement and release domestic animal quarantines; prepare and deliver specimens for rabies testing
- Work directly with the commonwealth attorney to prosecute violators of the animal and fowl code of Arlington as well as the comprehensive animal laws of Virginia.
- Assist other agencies in the county in resolving complaints pertaining to animals
- Collect and secure evidence and testify in court including dangerous dog investigations, custody hearings, and animal cruelty investigations
- Take on complex cases and determine proper actions, including providing guidance to field Deputies on appropriate next steps
- Write search warrants, summonses, and criminal complaints
- Patrol assigned zones and respond to dispatched calls in priority order, determining appropriate action for a range of situations including injured or sick animals (both domestic and wild) and public-safety risks.
- Ensure the maintenance of ongoing animal bite investigations including ensuring continuity in the absence of the Animal Control Programs Coordinator
- Engage directly with community members in the field to provide guidance and resources on best practice animal-care. Address questions about nuisance or trapped animals, and clarify local animal-control policies and ordinances.
- Organize and deliver educational presentations to schools, civic groups, and community organizations on animal control and wildlife management.
- Ensure the maintenance, stocking and cleaning of the Wildlife Resource Center care and triage area
- Administer basic animal first aid as needed and perform humane euthanasia when necessary, following established protocols and ensuring the highest standards of care and compassion.
- Assist the Chief of Animal Control with the procurement of supplies, uniforms, and equipment for the Animal Control team, ensuring timely and accurate purchasing in accordance with department standards.
- Support the development, revision, and implementation of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintaining up-to-date documentation and ensuring accessibility for staff.
- Manage the maintenance of gas and mileage logs and ensure completion and accuracy of monthly vehicle inspection forms for all Animal Control vehicles.
- Monitor the condition of assigned vehicles and equipment, ensuring they meet safety and maintenance standards, and coordinate necessary service or repairs.
- Coordinate maintenance and repair schedules for Animal Control radios and base stations to ensure consistent and effective communication capabilities.
- Maintain accurate records and databases related to departmental activities, including contributing to the preparation of the annual Federal Migratory Bird Report and other required documentation.
- Community Animal Response Team (CART)
- Ensure proper maintenance and annual inspection of the CART trailer to ensure readiness for deployment.
- Manage inventory and order necessary supplies to ensure the CART trailer is fully equipped for emergency activation.
- Recruit, train, and engage CART volunteers; track completion of required FEMA courses and provide ongoing training and community preparedness opportunities.
- Coordinate emergency response activities with CART volunteers, ensuring clear communication and readiness.
- Supervise emergency support operations for animal victims of cruelty or disasters in collaboration with the Chief of Animal Control.
- Organize and perform emergency animal rescue services as needed.
- Provide direct supervision to assigned Animal Control Officers, including supporting onboarding for new deputies and ensuring completion of cross-training and training checklists.
- Maintain and manage departmental schedules to ensure adequate staffing coverage during planned absences and peak activity periods.
- Support the professional development of Animal Control Officers by offering guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback.
- Assist in onboarding new AWLA employees by providing an overview of the Animal Control team's functions and AWLA’s role in wildlife care and management.
- Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training of wildlife volunteers—including drivers, ambassadors, and apprentices—in collaboration with the Volunteer Manager.
- Provide operational support and guidance to Animal Control Officers in the execution of their duties, ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Education
- High school diploma or GED equivalent required
- Degree in criminal justice, animal science, or related field is a plus
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
Experience
- Minimum two (2) years of professional work experience in the field of animal control, including investigating misdemeanor/felony-level animal-related crimes
- Experience with animal care, handling, and behavior, and willingness to learn enhanced and additional skills
- Experience presenting educational or other content to the public and translating sensitive or complex information into publicly digestible content
- Experience leading teams in the execution of standard operating procedures and legally mandated protocols
- Experience in working, handling, and triage of native wildlife
- Experience writing search warrants, summons, and criminal complaints related to animal cruelty cases
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required
Communication & People Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to give presentations and explain information clearly to the public and team members
- Excellent customer service and people skills, with the ability to handle difficult conversations respectfully and effectively
- Able to build and maintain positive relationships with coworkers, volunteers, partner agencies, and members of the community
- Comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and able to communicate in a respectful and inclusive way
- Able to share information and respond to questions about native wildlife, including using and updating response templates
- Willingness and ability to learn and apply local and state animal laws, including Virginia’s animal statutes and Arlington County codes
- Experience or interest in practices like restorative justice to help address issues fairly and constructively
- Skilled in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google Workspace; experience with shelter software is a plus but not required
- High level of emotional awareness, with the ability to handle sensitive situations like cruelty cases with care and professionalism
- Able to stay calm and make good decisions during emergencies or stressful situations
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Able to adapt to changing needs, shifting priorities, and time-sensitive tasks
- Deep care for animal welfare and a strong desire to serve the community with compassion, respect and integrity
- Good physical condition with the ability to safely lift 50 pounds
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays with rotating overnight on-call shifts as needed to provide adequate coverage
- On-call shifts are only eligible for officers living within a 30-minute commute of Arlington County
- Pass the Virginia state mandated Animal Control Officer training course within one (1) year of employment
- Complete training and receive certification in euthanasia within six (6) months of employment
- Within one (1) year of employment must be sworn in through the Arlington County Clerk’s office
- Training & certification in federal and/or Virginia State pet disaster preparedness, such as CART, NIMS to be completed within one (1) year of hire of complete FEMA ICS Certifications 100, 200, 700, 800
- Complete advanced level FEMA courses required to become an Incident Commander in the Incident Command System (ICS) (courses 300 & 400) within two (2) years of hire
- CIT and Chemical Capture certified, helpful but not required
- DWR Wildlife Rehabilitation permit, helpful but not required
- Provide emergency and night on call service as needed
Working with animals involves frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and extended periods of walking or standing. You will need strong hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate common equipment like computers, telephones, photocopiers, and other systems/tools used in daily tasks.
Be prepared for exposure to injured or deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals, and fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures. You may assist in restraining animals, including those that are distressed or aggressive, and face potentially hazardous situations like bites or scratches.
Physical strength and dexterity are essential for managing animals on a leash, often while performing other tasks such as opening doors. You should be able to lift and move heavy objects or animals (up to 50 lbs) and engage in active, physical work throughout the day.
Clear hearing and vision are necessary for effective communication with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Flexibility and adaptability are also crucial to managing frequent interruptions and changes in routine. Comfort around a wide variety of animals—including dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife—is key.
Additionally, this role requires emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience to handle both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working with animals. Candidates must maintain composure, show compassion, and stay focused in a dynamic environment.
Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations
Benefits: We offer comprehensive medical benefits, including dental and vision insurance. Employees accrue vacation and sick time separately, with 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays each year. After two years of employment, employees are eligible for a 7% retirement contribution from the company. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additionally, we offer a salary bonus for proficiency in Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish, or Vietnamese. Employees also receive free pet adoptions, free pet vaccines, and other pet-related benefits.
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