Description/Special Instructions

The City of Elk Grove is now accepting applications for the position of

ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER

$2,500 SIGNING BONUS*!

50% paid upon hire, with the remainder paid at the completion of the probationary period.

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 in every interaction.

This individual has a strong sense of personal accountability and can work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a high level of integrity and sound judgment. They are proactive in resolving issues, adaptable to changing situations, and committed to public safety and animal welfare. We are looking for someone who values teamwork but is confident in taking initiative and making informed decisions in the field. Above all, they are passionate about serving the community and improving the lives of both people and animals through education, enforcement, and compassionate service.

Experience in handling animals safely and humanely, knowledge of local and state animal control regulations, and the ability to defuse conflict with professionalism is highly desirable.

Learn more about the City of Elk Grove’s state-of-the-art Animal Shelter.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Filing Deadline: March 13, 2026, by 11:59 pm

Oral Board Interviews: March 19, 2026 (Virtual)

Selection Interviews: March 23, 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? Proud Heritage. Bright Future.

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.

Representative Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Description

The incumbent will perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of various City and state animal related ordinances, regulations, and laws governing the care and keeping of livestock and domestic animals in the City; investigate complaints regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous or diseased animals and issue appropriate citations; transport animals to City designated shelter; prepare written reports for prosecution of local ordinances and state law; provide public information and education to citizens and community groups regarding animal services; and perform other duties related to humane animal protection and control.

Operates an animal services vehicle patrolling streets and alleys to capture and confine stray and unlicensed animals; and impounds dead, sick, injured, stray, or trapped domestic and non-domestic animals.
Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals.
Responds to and conducts initial investigation of complaints regarding animal cruelty and abuse.
Investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.
Enforces applicable animal control codes and licensing ordinances; issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; files criminal complaints with City Attorney or District Attorney; testifies in court or administrative hearings regarding citations and disposition of complaints as necessary.
Takes into custody animals turned in by the public including trapped animals; quarantines and disposes of animals as appropriate.
Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; provides public information and education to citizens and community groups regarding animal services policies and procedures; gives public presentations as necessary; educates the public on laws, codes, ordinances, and policies relating to the care and control of animals.
Identifies symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary medical care, isolation or destruction; may perform and/or assist in the euthanasia of animals.
Operates and maintains a variety of animal services tools and equipment including humane traps, mobile radios, and related animal services tools and equipment; keeps equipment and vehicle in clean and healthful condition to accept impounded animals.
Examines licenses for validity and issues warning notices and citations to delinquent owners.
Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports detailing animal control work performed.
Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

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

Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic, livestock and common wild animals.
Symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
Behavior and handling of common domestic, livestock or wild animals.
Methods and techniques of animal collection and impoundment.
Methods and equipment used in the care and control of animals.
State and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the proper care and control of animals.
Principles and practices of animal care and first aid.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability To

Perform a variety of animal control activities.
Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing, or destroying the animal under stressful or emergency situations.
Identify symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common domestic animal diseases.
Enforce animal control rules and regulations.
Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
Use of independent judgment and initiative in accomplishing work assignments.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Deal tactfully, courteously and effectively with the public when providing customer service.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
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.
Operate office equipment including computers.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Work in a team environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/Training

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.
Graduation from an accredited animal control academy (such as the National Animal Control Association) is desirable.

Experience

Experience working in an animal control agency or shelter with responsibilities including the handling of various animal species is preferred.
(2) two years of the experience listed above is highly desirable.

License Or Certificate

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of a certificate of completion of Euthanasia by Injection within six months of hire.
Possession of a certificate of completion of Arrest, Search and Seizure (Penal Code 832) within six months of hire.
Possession of a certificate of completion of Basic Humane Officer Training Academy prior to completion of the probationary period within six months of hire.
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.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

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.

CITY OF ELK GROVE

Employee Benefit Summary

Elk Grove Police Officers Association (EGPOA) – Non Sworn

Annual Leave (vacation/sick)

0-4 years of service 176 hours 6.77 hours per pay period

5-9 years of service 216 hours 8.31 hours per pay period

10-14 years of service 232 hours 8.92 per pay period

15-19 years of service 256 hours 9.85 hours per pay period

20+ years of service 272 hours 10.46 hours per pay period

Deferred Compensation

Employee may participate in a 457 deferred compensation plan up to maximum allowed by law.

Deferred Compensation - City Match

The City will match up to 2% or 4% of employee's salary depending on the membership status with CalPERS.

Employee Assistance Program

Available to employees and immediate family.

Flexible Spending Account

Covers IRS approved medical and/or approved dependent care expenses to be paid on a pre-tax basis.

Medical spending up to $3,300.00 annually.
Dependent care up to $5,000 annually.
Adoption Assistance FSA up to $16,810 annually.

Health (Medical) Insurance

The City participates in the CalPERS Health Plan (PEMHCA) and offers a "cafeteria plan," which includes a monthly City contribution that an employee may apply toward premiums for medical insurance.

The City's Contribution rates for the 2025 plan year are as follows:

Single: up to $1,001.61 per month

2-Party: up to $2,003.22 per month

Family: up to $2,604.19 per month

Employees who show evidence of other group health insurance coverage and waive enrollment in a CalPERS health plan shall receive a taxable in lieu cash fringe allowance of $300 per month.

Dental Insurance

100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.

Vision Insurance

100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.

Pet Insurance

City employees are eligible to purchase pet insurance at a discounted premium rate through MetLife.

Retirement Health Savings Account

City provided defined contribution program for IRS-eligible medical expenses upon retirement,

Holidays

Employees who are not assigned by the Police Chief to work shifts shall receive eleven (11) paid holidays per year and sixteen (16) hours of floating holiday every fiscal year.

Employees assigned by the Police Chief to work shifts shall receive a 5% holiday pay differential in lieu of paid holidays and eight (8) hours of floating holiday every fiscal year.

Life Insurance

City provides Life insurance at 1X base salary with a minimum of $50,000 and maximum of $300,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased by employee up to a maximum of $500,000.

Military Leave

The City will pay qualified employees any difference between his/her base salary and the amount received in military reserve pay for regularly scheduled annual training that requires the employee to take military leave from his/her regular work week.

Retirement (CalPERS)

Your CalPERS Pension formula will be dependent upon your hire date with the City of Elk Grove and/or your status with any Public Retirement System.

2.7% at 55 if hired before 8/12/12.
2% at 55 if hired after 8/12/12 and a current Classic member of CalPERS.
2% at 62 if hired after 1/1/13 and not a Classic member of CalPERS.

Internal applicants will remain in their current retirement formula unless they are moving from a safety to miscellaneous classification.

Short Term/Long Term Disability

The City provides Short-Term Disability coverage @ 66.67% of income, up to a maximum benefit of $2,300 per week and Long-Term Disability coverage @ 66.67% of income, up to a maximum benefit of $15,000 per month.
The City also provides Paid Family Leave coverage @ 60-70% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $,1623 per week.

City employees DO NOT contribute to the California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program.

Social Security

City employees do not currently participate in the Social Security program. City offers an IRS qualifying retirement plan.

Tuition Reimbursement

80% up to $2,500/year for undergraduate studies

80% up to $3,500/year for graduate studies

Wellness Program

Amazing on-site Wellness Coordinator and multiple fitness and wellness classes such as yoga and pilates available throughout the week!

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, stating "see resume" or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

02

Do you possess the equivalent of the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade?

03

Do you have college level coursework in animal health technology, animal science, or closely related field?

04

Did you graduate from an accredited animal control academy (such as the National Animal Control Association)?

05

Please indicate how many years of full-time experience you have with in-person customer service experience.

None
Less than 1 year
1 - 2 years
More than 2 - 3 years
More than 3 - 5 years
More than 5 years

06

How many years of experience working with animals in a professional or voluntary capacity? This could include working on a farm, with an animal control agency, a veterinarian clinic, animal shelter, or a similar setting.

No experience
Volunteer experience only
Less than 1 year
1 year - 3 years
3 years - 5 years
More than 5 years of experience

07

As a follow up to your response for questions #5 and #6, please briefly describe your experience below.

08

Do you possess any of the following? Select all that apply.

Certificate of completion of Euthanasia by Injection
Certificate of completion of Basic Humane Officer Training Academy
Certificate of completion of Advanced Human Officer Training Academy
Certificate of Animal Control Officer Accreditation
Certificate of completion of Animal Chemical Capture

09

This position may require you to capture or pick up animals that may be sick, injured or vicious. and weigh 80 pounds or more. Are you aware of this requirement?

10

This position will require you to work irregular hours, weekends, holidays, overtime, split shifts, and on call when assigned. Are you aware of this requirement?

11

Retired CalPERS members may apply only if they are planning to voluntarily reinstate from retirement. Do you understand that this is a regular full-time position, and that Retired Annuitants are not eligible for appointment to this position under Government Code Sections 7522.56, 21224, 21227, and 21229?

12

Do you require sponsorship for employment in the United States now or in the future (e.g., H-1B or other employment-based visas)?

Yes
No
Required Question

City of Elk Grove

New Jobs

Animal Services Officer

Animal Services Officer