About The Position

The City of Saint Paul Animal Services Center (SPAS) is hiring an Animal Services Officer to join our team. As an Animal Services Officer II, you will work with a collaborative team of employees who care for over 2,000 dogs, cats, critters, and wild animals each year.

Here’s What You Can Expect To Do

Perform intermediate level work with Saint Paul Animal Services Center (SPAS) enforcing animal and pest control ordinances.
Investigate complaints and make patrols and inspections to determine compliance with Saint Paul legislative codes dealing with animals.
Issue citations, order of corrective actions and/or progressive enforcement actions for non-compliance.
Complete inspections: prepare routine documents and forms, and provide standard reports related to inspections, routine to complex investigations, compliance, and research.
Responsible for the implementation and enforcement of animal related state statutes and city ordinances.
Assist other staff with recurring duties at the SPAS.
For more information and essential functions, see our job description.

Information Specific to this Position:

The Saint Paul Animal Services Center (SPAS) is located in the heart of beautiful Como Park at 1285 Jessamine Ave. W., Saint Paul, MN, but will be moving to a new animal shelter located at 1115 Beulah Ln in Summer of 2026.

Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.

Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us. We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.

Position Requirements

May Be Met By One Of The Following

Three years of experience working as an animal control officer or similar experience performing: animal care or handling, conducting investigations or animal assessments, and enforcing rules and regulations in an animal shelter, zoo, veterinary clinic, or other animal setting.

Two years of experience working as an animal control officer or similar experience performing: animal care or handling, conducting investigations or animal assessments, and enforcing rules and regulations in an animal shelter, zoo, veterinary clinic, or other animal setting; AND one year of education in veterinary technology, animal science, biology, criminal justice, or similar field.

Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out of state driver's license.

Must possess or obtain an advanced Animal Control/Animal Services Officer Certification within one year of hire.

Must obtain and maintain authorization from the SPAC veterinarian of record to euthanize animals within six months of appointment.

How to Apply

Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
Upload or submit the following required document via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
- A resume

First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.

Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.

Learn more about our Hiring Process

Assessment: Qualifications Rating

The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.

General Information

Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered.

Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.

Pre-Employment Screening: This position requires a medical examination, driver’s license check, credit check, drug test, and a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying based on education.

Human Resources Contact Information

Danni Smith at 651-266-6566

Email: danni.smith@stpaul.gov

The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.

Veteran’s Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran’s preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application. Click here for more information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.

Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:

City Paid Benefits

Health Insurance
Vacation/Holidays
Sick Leave
Life Insurance
Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
Deferred Compensation
Retirement Program

Optional Benefits

Dental
Flexible Spending Accounts
Disability Insurance
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Long Term Care Insurance

For a Detailed Overview, Visit General Benefits.

01

The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening and assessment processes. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification. I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.

02

How do you BEST qualify for this position?

Three years of experience working as an animal control officer or similar experience performing: animal care or handling, conducting investigations or animal assessments, and enforcing rules and regulations in an animal shelter, zoo, veterinary clinic, or other animal setting.
Two years of experience working as an animal control officer or similar experience performing: animal care or handling, conducting investigations or animal assessments, and enforcing rules and regulations in an animal shelter, zoo, veterinary clinic, or other animal setting; AND one year of education in veterinary technology, animal science, biology, criminal justice, or similar field.
None of the above

03

Do you possess a Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license?

04

Do you possess, or have you ever possessed an Animal Control Officer Certification?

05

In which of the following areas of enforcement do you have experience? (Check all that apply)

Responding to complaints
Enforcing local ordinances and state statutes
Issuing citations
Performing inspections
Conducting investigations
None of the above

06

In which of the following areas of animal care and capture do you have experience? (Check all that apply)

Conducting an intake exam
Evaluating animal health and behavior
Providing daily care and enrichment to a variety of animal species
Triaging animals and administering medications
Collecting and preparing biological specimens
Assisting with or capturing and impounding animals
None of the above

07

In which of the following clerical areas do you have experience? (Check all that apply)

Tracking and maintaining records
Drafting and producing documents
Reviewing applications and/or permits
Money handling
Using animal control/sheltering related software
Using Microsoft Office
None of the above

08

Describe your experience working with customers and the public. How have you demonstrated understanding and respect for the diversity of customers and the public? Please provide examples.

09

Describe your experience conducting interviews, collecting evidence and documentation, and investigating an allegation from beginning to completion.

10

Are you available to work: (check all that apply)

On call
Saturdays
Sundays
None of the above

11

I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.

12

RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)

City of Saint Paul website
City of Saint Paul employee
City of Saint Paul job interest card
City of Saint Paul walk-in
City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
Friend or family member
League of Minnesota Cities website
Governmentjobs.com website
LinkedIn
Facebook
X (formerly known as Twitter)
Indeed.com website
ZipRecruiter
Pollen website
MinnesotaWorks.net
College or University
Community organization
Job fair
Professional association
Saint Paul Elevate Session
People of Color Career Fair
Other

13

RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name).

14

Are you currently a Saint Paul resident?

Yes
No
Prefer not to answer

15

If you indicated "yes" as a current Saint Paul resident, please indicate your zip code.

Required Question

City of Saint Paul

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Animal Services Officer II