Deputy Animal Control Officer
Arlington, VA
Full Time
Animal Control
Mid Level
Summary: The Deputy Animal Control Officer enforces animal control ordinances and related Virginia and Arlington County laws, rules, and regulations within Arlington County. This is a public facing position that requires exceptional customer service skills and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in the community. Deputy Animal Control Officers primary responsibility is to reduce the suffering of animals and protect public health through their field response, investigations and inspections, and issuance of citations and warnings for certain violations of animal control ordinances. They also play a critical role by engaging with community members around issues pertaining to animal regulations, humane animal care, and coexisting with wildlife.
Salary range for this position is $23.22 - $26.31 per hour
The League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese.
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent
Professional work experience in an animal shelter or in an animal care environment
Experience in Animal Control helpful but not required
Licenses:
Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record
Languages:
Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required
Key Skills:
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: Benefits: We offer premium medical benefits, dental and vision insurance; separate vacation and sick time accruals, 12 annual paid holidays plus 3 annual floating holidays; and flexible working hours for qualified positions. After 2 years of employment, employees qualify for a retirement contribution of 7%. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese. Plus, free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and more!
Salary range for this position is $23.22 - $26.31 per hour
The League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese.
Responsibilities:
- 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
- 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
- Collect and secure evidence and testify in court including dangerous dog investigations, custody hearings, and animal cruelty investigations
- Write search warrants, summonses, and criminal complaints
- Enforce Arlington County's dog leash law by investigating complaints of dogs running at large
- Enforce animal and fowl code pursuant to Chapter 2 in Arlington County Code
- Investigate animal bite complaints, implement and release domestic animal quarantines, prepare and deliver specimens for rabies testing
- 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
- Assist other agencies in the County in resolving animal related complaints
- Collaborate with Commonwealth's Attorney to support the prosecution of violations related to Arlington County's Animal and Fowl code, as well as Commonwealth of Virginia's comprehensive animal protection laws
- Organize and deliver educational presentations to schools, civic groups, and community organizations on animal control and wildlife management as needed
- Prepare and maintain accurate database records and reports of all activities
- Ensure proper maintenance and safety standards are met for assigned vehicle and equipment
- Assist in shelter care of impounded animals when necessary
- Respond to overnight emergency calls for service when scheduled in on-call capacity
- Administer basic animal first aid as needed
- Perform or assist with humane euthanasia when necessary, following established protocols and ensuring the highest standards of care and compassion
- Duties may evolve over time, and additional responsibilities related to this role may be assigned as needed
Qualifications:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent
Professional work experience in an animal shelter or in an animal care environment
Experience in Animal Control helpful but not required
Licenses:
Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record
Languages:
Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required
Key Skills:
Communication & People Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to 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 accessible 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 equitably
- 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, confidentiality and professionalism
- Ability 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
- Must be able and willing to respond to emergency calls during evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight hours as part of a rotating on-call schedule.
- On-call shifts are limited to officers who reside within a 30-minute commute of Arlington County to ensure timely response.
- Must be able to perform duties in a variety of environments, including residential areas, roadways, wooded areas, and other outdoor settings in all weather conditions.
- May be required to safely operate an Animal Control vehicle and handle equipment in potentially high-stress or time-sensitive situations.
- May assist in animal restraint and deal with distressed or dangerous animals, and could be subject to bites and scratches.
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays with rotating overnight on-call shifts as needed to provide adequate coverage. Provide emergency overnight on call service as needed
- 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
- CIT and Chemical Capture certified, helpful but not required
- DWR Wildlife Rehabilitation permit, helpful but not required
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: Benefits: We offer premium medical benefits, dental and vision insurance; separate vacation and sick time accruals, 12 annual paid holidays plus 3 annual floating holidays; and flexible working hours for qualified positions. After 2 years of employment, employees qualify for a retirement contribution of 7%. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese. Plus, free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and more!
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