Animal Control Officer

Calvert County Animal Control Officer

The Calvert County Animal Control Officer (ACO) is a field-based public safety position responsible for enforcing local and state animal welfare laws and ordinances. Animal Control Officers respond to a wide range of calls involving stray, injured, dangerous, or neglected animals, and often work in partnership with law enforcement, health departments, and the public. This role requires independent judgment, strong interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to manage emotionally charged or potentially hazardous situations with professionalism and compassion. Officers are expected to participate in an on-call rotation, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to ensure 24 / 7 emergency response coverage across the county. This position also includes responsibilities related to issuing citations, seizing animals when necessary, preparing case documentation, and testifying in court proceedings.

This position is responsible for providing prompt and humane response to animal related issues through the enforcement of ordinances associated with citizen complaints, animal regulation and human health and safety. The work requires prior experience and is performed under general supervision.

Essential Job Functions :

• Enforces regulations and ordinances from County officials, including the health department.
• Interacts with citizens over concerns and enforcement issues and resolves same.
• Communicates both orally and in writing with the general public.
• Maintains effective working relationship with police, public officials, veterinarians, and other government agencies.
• Performs daily routine patrols and responds for calls of service.
• Renders emergency animal first aid and transports animals to veterinarians.
• Investigates animal neglect, abuse, and cruelty violations. Writes investigative reports and enters data into database. Verifies and follows-up on cases to ensure compliance.
• Maintains and organizes caseload and prioritizes daily workload.
• Handles radio communications with Animal Control Dispatcher and Calvert County Control Center.
• Issues written warnings and ordinance citations.
• Testifies in court hearings.
• Works directly with County Health Department in bite investigations and rabies exposures. Arranges for animal quarantine and performs follow up health checks. Prepares rabies specimens. Assists with rabies vaccination clinic.
• Distributes county pet licenses, handles money, and submits purchased licenses.
• Traps domestic animals and maintains records of trap locations. Transports animals to the shelter and maintains profile tickets on each animal.
• Ensures county issued vehicle is serviced as scheduled. Ensures all county issued equipment is in working order and is replaced if broken.

Other Duties :

Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Required Qualifications :

Training and / or Education :

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience :

Three years of professional animal handling experience and one year of experience dealing with the resolution of citizen complaints.

Licenses or Certificates :

Valid driver's license.

Special Requirements :

Must be 18 years of age.

Must be qualified to use a 12-gauge shotgun and a 22-caliber rifle.

Subject to background investigation.

Subject to call-back in emergency situations.

Operation of County owned vehicle.

Physical Demands :

Requires strenuous physical effort to perform manual work involving walking over rough, uneven terrain, repeated bending, climbing, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or lifting objects up to 100 pounds.

Unusual Demands :

Workers are exposed to hazards of dealing with diseased animals.

Workers must occasionally put animals to death.

Requires working non-standard schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Subject to call in or to remain on the job for emergencies.

FLSA Status : Nonexempt

Compensation Steps :

Pay rate : $26.28 - $28.13 per hour; $47,830 - $51,197 annually

Grade 719, full-time position, 35 hours per week

Department of Public Safety, Animal Control

Position closing date : Open continuously

Calvert County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Benefits include :

Please note : A complete application is required to be considered for a position within Calvert County Government. All prior work experience, education, and other certifications should be entered into the application and supplemental questions should be answered completely. Attachments are not provided to hiring managers unless you are selected for an interview.

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruitment@calvertcountymd.gov with as much notice as possible.