3% Cost of Living Adjustment effective December 26, 2026, for positions represented by the Corona Public Service Employees Association.
Step into a career that’s anything but ordinary. The City of Corona is excited to invite passionate, driven individuals to join our Police Department as an Animal Control Officer! As part of a dynamic team of more than 250 professionals across Field Services, Investigative Services, and Support Services, you’ll play a vital role in protecting the community and its animals. Our mission is rooted in safety, service, and transparency — and we’re looking for someone ready to make a real difference. If you’re eager for a fast-paced role where every day brings new challenges, meaningful public interaction, and opportunities to help those who need it most, this is your chance to serve with purpose!
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a confident, energetic problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, field-based environment. You’re someone who brings equal parts compassion and courage — skilled at understanding animal behavior, calm in unpredictable situations, and ready to act decisively when the community needs you. You communicate clearly, build trust with residents, and approach every call with professionalism and heart. You’re detail-minded, safety-focused, and eager to grow your expertise through hands-on work and specialized training. Ability to work weekends, holidays, and on-call hours is required, as you’ll be a key partner in keeping our community safe around the clock. If you’re self-motivated, adaptable, and excited to serve with purpose as part of the City of Corona Police Department, we want to meet you.
Knowledge- Knowledge of methods and techniques of handling, collecting, impounding, and registering a variety of wild and domestic animals in various conditions.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of code violation investigation and compliance.
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
- Knowledge of City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Skills & Abilities- Ability to recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior and act accordingly.
- Ability to handle potentially dangerous animals in a safe manner.
- Ability to medicate or euthanize animals, after completion of appropriate training.
- Ability to respond to after-hours emergency calls, as directed.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to animal services.
- Ability to work extended hours and rotating shifts, including mandatory training and meetings, overtime, evenings weekends, and holidays.
Education & Experience- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
- Two (2) years of experience in the enforcement and communication of animal services codes, ordinances, and regulations, and the humane care and handling of animals is desired.
- Previous animal or law enforcement experience is desired.
- Possession of a valid California Driver's License (Class C), to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of, ability to obtain, or successful acquisition within 12 months of employment:
- a valid Chemical Immobilization Certification, to be maintained throughout employment.
- a valid Euthanasia by Injection Certification, to be maintained throughout employment.
- a P.C. 832 Certification in the use of firearms, search and seizure, and arrest practices.
Characteristics
- Integrity- Being truthful and ethical in what we do, what we say, and what we say we do in both our personal and professional lives.
- Respect- We are committed to our profession and will always respect one another and the community that we serve.
- Inclusion- We are not just diverse; we are welcoming to all.
- Teamwork- When we work together to achieve our mission, the department and community will grow stronger. Together, we are better.
- Innovation- We provide modern police services and are committed to always improve our organizational practices.
Ability to work weekends, holidays, and on-call hours is required. This position is FLSA Non-Exempt eligible for overtime compensation. To view the full job description, click here.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early, as late submissions will not be accepted.
Recruitment Timeline
• First Review Deadline: Friday , October 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applications received by this deadline will be included in the first group of candidates reviewed.
• Final Application Deadline: Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Secondary Review (If Applicable): Applications submitted after October 2, 2026, at 11;59pm may be reviewed if the initial candidate pool does not yield a sufficient number of qualified applicants.
• Interview Period (Tentative): Week of Monday, October 12, 2026
After the initial screening, candidates who demonstrate the most desirable qualifications may be invited to a virtual HireVue interview or an in-person interview. Top-scoring candidates from the interview process may be placed on an eligibility list used to fill the vacant position. The selected candidate may be required to successfully complete a reference and background check, including livescan, and must pass a pre-employment medical examination with drug and alcohol screening.
Internal candidates must ensure their application is fully updated to reflect their current position with the City and all previous City positions held. Incomplete or outdated applications may result in disqualification during the review process. Internal candidates may also be required to participate in all components of the selection and pre-employment process, depending on departmental review and position requirements.
The selected candidate will undergo a thorough background investigation and medical exam with the Corona Police Department. Background investigation will include but is not limited to the following:
- No felony conviction(s).
- Submit to a fingerprint and criminal history check - State and Federal Bureaus.
- Good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
- United States high school graduate, GED, or equivalent.
- No conviction(s) of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses.
- Submit to a polygraph examination.
- Successfully pass a medical examination.
- Credit history check, if established, must be satisfactory.
COMMUNITY
A City whose heritage spans more than a century, the City of Corona, located in Riverside County, California, encompasses around 40 square miles and has a vibrant, culturally diverse population of approximately 168,100 residents. Residents of Corona enjoy a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities that provide a first-rate quality of life for its residents and visitors. Within an hour's travel time, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy such winter activities as snowboarding and skiing and such summer activities as surfing, boating, or simply relaxing on a beach. Corona's economy is strong and getting stronger; more than 84,000 people work here. Our retail, commercial, and housing areas are expanding, and office development continues to be strong.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Corona is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. Policy making and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members. Members of the City Council are elected by District to a four-year term. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves as the presiding officer for one year. The City is organized into the following departments/organizational units: Community Services, City Manager’s Office, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Risk Management, Police, Planning & Development, Public Works, and Utilities. Oversight of these departments is divided between the City Manager and an Assistant City Manager.The City's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of 935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and visitors each day.To view the essential duties and responsibilities, click here.To view the qualifications guidelines, click here.To view the physical/mental demands and work environment,
click here.
