Animal Control Officer 3

Animal Control Officer 3

Salary

$64,209.00 Annually

Location

2500 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN

Job Type

Full Time Health Civil Service

Job Number

HEA08868

Division

Health

Opening Date

09/03/2026

Closing Date

9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Patrols assigned area within Nashville-Davidson County in assigned vehicle; performs animal control services, including responding to calls for assistance, rescuing animals, apprehending stray animals, and investigating animal-related violations of local or state law.

If you have any questions about this position please contact MPHD HR at (615)-340-5640.

Typical Duties

• Patrols assigned area within Nashville-Davidson County in assigned vehicle; performs animal control services, including responding to call.
• Functions as lead Animal Control Officer.
• Trains, coaches, and schedules Animal Control Officers 1 and 2.
• Identifies problems and responds to the more difficult situations, and provides timely information to officer supervisor.
• Initiates tasks or projects to improve the efficiency of work flow.
• Perform animal control services, including rescuing animals, responding to calls for assistance apprehending stray animals, and investigating animal-related violations of local or state law.
• Patrols assigned area within Nashville-Davidson County.
• Responds to requests for assistance and investigates allegations of animal cruelty and complaints involving animals.
• Enforces animal control laws and ordinances, including issuing citations, documenting evidence, and communicating with other law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys.
• Apprehends, subdues, and impounds stray, unlicensed, and other appropriate animals, including vicious, feral, and sick animals.
• Responds to requests for assistance with wildlife and vicious animals.
• Removes and disposes of dead animals.
• Investigates animal bites and coordinates handling and quarantine of animals and related efforts.
• Transports injured and ill animals to shelter and veterinarians.
• Rescues injured and ill animals, and performs field euthanasia (by chemical injection) when necessary.
• Prepares investigative reports, daily log sheets, legal documents, and other reports as required.
• Testifies in court.
• Addresses groups and organizations on animal control related safety and health issues.
• May conduct or assist with outreach and liaison programs, such as information and other media initiatives.
• May provide training and coordinate special projects as needed.
• Must have and be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic animal care standards, including safe animal handling procedures for domestic and wild animals and proper use, secure storage, and disposal of lethal chemicals, syringes and related equipment.
• Promote a caring attitude toward all animals and treat animals humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances, including those that are sick, injured, feral, or aggressive.
• Performs euthanasia of animals.
• Work cooperatively with the shelter manager and staff, and foster a spirit of teamwork.
• Support and participate in departmental response to disaster and emergency events.
• Demonstrates MPHD's core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Supports and participates in departmental response to disaster/emergency events.
• Regular, reliable and predictable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma.
• 5-7 years of professional animal care or animal control experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Must be a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET), or obtain certification within six months of hire. NOTICE: State regulations prohibit anyone with a criminal conviction of any kind from obtaining CAET.
• Valid class "D" drivers license, use of personal vehicle, and maintenance of valid personal vehicle insurance as required by Tennessee Law.
• Must receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.

Working Environment/Physical Demands:

• Medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force on a regular and reoccurring basis, including restraint of animals of varying size, age, and physical condition.
• Must use protective clothing or gear.
• May risk exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, and animals/wildlife, including exposure to animal bites, scratches, and diseases such as Rabies, Ringworm, Lyme disease and Zoonosis .

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply, however at the present time MPHD is not sponsoring individuals through any of the US Government's employment-based immigration programs.

MPHD seeks to be a socially and culturally responsive organization that acknowledges and addresses historical and current inequities in our public health promotion and practice. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work with multicultural communities.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Associate's degree

Full-time, Civil Service positions -

10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)

1 Sick Day per month

12 Paid Holidays per year

Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions -

20 vacation days per year

3 Personal days per year

1 Sick Day per month

12 paid holidays per year

Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.

Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information

Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.

01

What is your highest level of education?

• Less than High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Advanced Degree

02

How many years of professional animal care or animal control experience or related education do you have ? *this must be document for consideration

• Less than 5 years
• More than 5 years

03

I understand that all related work history/experience, education, certifications and/or licenses must be reflected on my application for this position. I further understand that an incomplete or misleading application may result in disqualification.

• Yes

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County

Address Human Resources Division

700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Suite 201

Nashville, Tennessee, 37210

Phone (615) 862-6640

Website https://www.nashville.gov/departments/human-resources/employment-opportunities