Animal Services Officer (Animal Control Officer I)

Job Announcement

This job opportunity is being reannounced. Previous applicants need not reapply.

Are you passionate about animal welfare and ready to make a meaningful impact in our community? Join our team as an Animal Services Officer (ASO) in the newly created Field Services Division of Fairfax County Animal Services!

About Us :

With a population of 1.2 million people, our community is rich with companion animals, livestock, and diverse wildlife, making every day as an ASO both challenging and rewarding. Our department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both animals and residents in Fairfax County. With two shelter campuses, we care for 4,000-5,000 animals annually and maintain a consistent live release rate of over 90%.

This entry-level position offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of animal welfare and public safety, with a clear path for growth and advancement to higher-level positions as the division expands. Leadership roles within the division will be available soon.

What You'll Do :

Animal Services Officers are responsible for enforcing the animal control laws and regulations in Fairfax County. As an ASO, you'll be directly involved in essential responsibilities such as capturing stray animals, rescuing sick or injured wildlife, investigating cases of animal cruelty and dangerous animals, and responding to animal bites and exposure incidents. Additionally, you will educate the public, provide vital resources to the community, and, when necessary, perform humane euthanasia, all while making a tangible impact on both animal welfare and public safety.

For more information about a career with Field Services, visit here. To learn more about Fairfax County Animal Services, please visit our webpage here.

Responsibilities :

• Investigates and responds to a wide range of animal-related complaints, including dangerous animals, animal cruelty and neglect, and rabies control.
• Safely rescues and transports domestic animals and wildlife safely, and perform humane euthanasia when necessary, ensuring the well-being of the animals and the community.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with the public, fellow employees, and officials, explaining ordinances, violations, corrective actions, and programs such as spay / neuter initiatives and rabies control.
• Gathers evidence, prepare detailed reports, issues summonses, and provides testimony in court related to animal-related offenses.
• Collaborates with various Fairfax County agencies, including the police department, fire and rescue, health department, code compliance, and others.
• Conducts educational outreach to promote animal welfare and inform the community about responsible pet ownership and local ordinances.
• Provides direct care and enrichment for animals within the shelter, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Flexibility is required, as this role may involve working various shifts, changes in shift days and times, and reassignment between department locations based on operational needs.

This job announcement may be used to fill future full-time Animal Services Officers (Animal Control Officer I) vacancies.

Salary : The salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint ($56,905.26 to $75,873.41) of the advertised compensation range. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools employees. Eligible employees certified as using a second language in their job (35% or more of their worktime) may receive a foreign language stipend in the amount of $1,300 annually where scheduled work time is more than 20 hours per week ($650 annually when scheduled work time is 20 hours or less per week).

Schedule : Schedule will vary depending on staffing levels and department needs as Animal Services Officers are considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster). Required to work early mornings, evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays.

Why Join Us?

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED :

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

Criminal Background Investigation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Animal handling or animal care, preferably within facilities such as animal shelters or veterinary clinics; or

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

SELECTION PROCEDURE :

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.?

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and / or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO / AA / TTY.

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Requisition 25-01301