Animal Services Officer

Summary

This requisition expires on April 3, 2026 but may close earlier if the position is filled prior to the expiration date.

Under general supervision, is responsible for providing the control, health, safety, and the humane euthanasia of animals. Monitors and observes animals for signs of aggression, illness and provides customer support as needed.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions and Other Important Duties

• Provides a safe and sanitary environment for the temporary housing of animals by cleaning, sanitizing and maintaining animal cages, kennels, pens and runs and ensures all are in good working condition and safe for habitation
• Provides food, water and proper care for all shelter animals by adhering to schedules and protocols within departmental policy
• Provides excellent customer service to citizens, volunteers, and internal customers in person or over the phone
• Communicates with co-workers, Veterinary Technicians, Animal Services Supervisor, Animal Services Manager when there is an animal medical concern
• Performs humane euthanasia of animals and documents required records regarding animals and drugs, properly disposes of deceased animals; properly safeguards euthanasia drugs and supplies
• Creates and maintains animal profile information in shelter software; records and completes screening of animals for current disposition and updates animal profiles
• Prepares animal for rabies testing
• Provides general care and feeding of animals; may assist with administering medication and vaccinations to animals; exercises animals in designated areas.
• Evaluates temperament, health, and general adoptability of animals to ensure a safe and lasting adoption
• Maintain regular and punctual on-site attendance
  
  

Additional Duties:

• Responds to animal service calls; during normal business hours and in an on-call capacity
• Documents accurate records such as call notes, bite reports, court documents, and other reports
• Promptly and accurately enters service requests into Police Department CAD such as barking dog, vicious or stray animals, livestock out, bite victims, trapped wildlife or domestic animals
• Conducts investigations into animal cruelty, rabies exposure incidents, and dangerous dog cases
• Inspects, operates and maintains the animal control vehicle and various animal control devices and equipment.
• Educates the public on animal control ordinances, laws, policies, and procedures, including proper control and care of animals
• Enforces pertinent rabies control ordinances and issues citations for animal violations
• May testify in court on behalf of the City; prepares reports for testifying in court
• Performs other duties as assigned
  
  

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications / Acceptable Equivalency

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
  
  

OR

• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job
  
  

Core Competencies

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with coworkers and customers
• Ability to remain calm and professional in high stress situations
  
  

Preferences

• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Prior experience as an Animal Services Officer or in related field
  
  

Conditions Of Employment

• Must have and maintain a valid Class "C" Driver?s License and valid state required minimum automobile liability insurance (must obtain Texas Class "C" driver?s license and state required minimum automobile liability insurance within 90 days of hire per state law)
• Must pass a drug test, driver's license check, criminal history background check and social security number verification
• Successfully obtain Basic Animal Control Officer Certification and Euthanasia Certificationwithin six (6) months of employment
• Must pass a physical examination
• Must be able to work 40 hours per week plus any overtime and on-call rotation. Must be able to work shifts, including holidays and weekends
• Good physical condition including hearing, sight, agility, and the ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Exposure to animals of unknown temperament and background
  
  

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

Overall Strength Demands: The bold and italicized word describes the overall strength demand of the functions performed by the incumbent during a typical workday.

• Sedentary - lifting no more than 10 pounds
• Light - lifting no more than 20 pounds; carry up to 10 pounds
• Medium - lifting no more than 50 pounds, carry up to 25 pounds
• Heavy - lifting no more than 100 pounds, carry up to 50 pounds
• Very Heavy - lifting more than 100 pounds, carry more than 50 pounds
  
  

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes if the incumbent is expected to exert the following physical demands during a typical workday and the overall frequency.

Codes for ?how often?:

Y = Yes

N = No

E = extensive (100-70%)

M = moderate (60-30%)

I = infrequent (20-10%)

A = almost never (<10%)

Task: Code:

• Standing: M
• Sitting: M
• Walking: M
• Lifting: M
• Carrying: M
• Pushing/Pulling: M
• Overhead Work: I
• Fine Dexterity: A
• Kneeling: M
• Crouching: M
• Crawling: S
• Bending: M
• Twisting: M
• Climbing: S
• Balancing: M
• Vision: E
• Hearing: E
• Talking: E
• Video Display: E
• Other:
  
  

Machines, Tools, Equipment And Work Aids

The essential functions of this position require the daily use of tools to perform euthanasia on animals and catch stray animals, hand held radio, computer and telephone.

Environmental Factors

The essential functions of this position are performed outside over half of the work year and in a kennel and office environment; requires work in high and low temperatures with high humidity equally throughout the year; requires shift work, exposure to chemicals, noise, and vehicle operation.

EEO STATEMENT

City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is City of Denton’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment ofany type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protectedclass, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection,hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges ofemployment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.

ADA/EOE/ADEA

This job description is not an employment agreement, contract agreement, or contract. Management has exclusiveright to alter this job description at any time without notice.

E-Verify

The City of Denton participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

The City of Denton maintains competitive benefit options. Details are available here.

01

Do you believe you meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the job description?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

How many years of paid, professional-level experience do you have in this field?

• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more
  
  

03

Do you possess a Class "C" Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

This position requires working overtime outside of regular business hours as needed. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question