Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer

Salary

$41,372.02 - $60,401.90 Annually

Location

Town Center: 211 East Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, TX

Job Type

Regular Fulltime

Job Number

01359

Department

Police

Division

Animal Control

Opening Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any time without prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Our Core Values

We LOVE DeSoto

• L- We lift up our community
• O- We take ownership of our collective performance
• V- We value and respect all employees
• E- We empower employees to grow

The purpose of this position is to perform responsible office work and fieldwork involving the reception and transmission of radio and telephone messages, the apprehension of stray animals, and the enforcement of the City's Animal Control ordinance. Work involves accurate and efficient receipt, routing, and dispatching of information via two-way radios; investigating complaints, issuing warnings, citations and summons for violations; advising citizens on the responsibility of animal ownership; investigation of animal related complaints; and animal impoundment. Work calls for the ability to apply standard communication procedures and operating methods in receiving and dispatching messages and personnel under normal circumstances and requires the exercise of mature judgment and initiative.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to reports concerning various animal issues, such as animal bites, potential animal cruelty and abuse, animals in distress, stray and nuisance animals, barking dogs, wild and dangerous animals, sick and injured animals, animal behavior problems, or animal control laws;
• Interprets and enforces animal control ordinances and codes; provides information and answers questions; conducts investigations; conducts investigations and interviews; issues citations and violations; and maintains detailed reports of enforcement activities;
• Patrols City to locate and pick up stray animals and to look for animal control violations; enforces animal related ordinances; and assists animals in problem situations;
• Captures/Impounds domestic, wild, dangerous, or aggressive animals; sets animal traps; loads animals into cages; transports animals to animal shelter, veterinarian offices, or other locations; relocates displaced wildlife; removes dead animals from roads; and assists law enforcement by removing animals from accident scenes or crime scenes;
• Processes captured animals and animals removed from homes or dangerous situations; checks animals for signs of rabies, disease, or other illnesses; quarantines exposed animals; assigns and transports animals to shelter; and prepares and maintains all related documentation;
• Advises and educates citizens of the responsibility of animal ownership; explains animal control regulations; and advises citizens on proper procedures for processing complaints, licensing, and other animal control issues;
• Assists with preparing animal-related cases for arrest and trial; gathers and collects evidence; and appears in court and provides testimony as needed;
• Conducts preliminary investigations on cruelty and animal neglect complaints; makes reports to proper agencies; and works closely with other humane and law enforcement agencies on incidents involving animals;
• Answers incoming calls from the public, department personnel, and others: takes accurate notes of needed service; determines nature and priority of calls; and contact emergency response department when necessary;
• Dispatches personnel to pertinent locations: operates two-way radio or console; relays and confirms information, instructions and directives; monitors activities of field employees, maintaining awareness of their location; and follows up with callers as needed;
• Participates in the on-call rotation as scheduled to include weekdays, weekends and holidays; responds as needed after-hours; and
• Performs other assigned duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Two (2) years of related work experience in animal control or related field;
• Or equivalent training, education, and/or experience; and
• Valid Driver's License;
• Valid Texas Basic Animal Control Certification within a year of hire;
• Valid Euthanasia Certification within a year of hire

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of City policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the geography of the area;
• Knowledge of the efficient operation of radio receiving and transmitting equipment;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing; and
• Ability to interpret and enforce animal control regulations and codes with firmness, tact, and impartiality;
• Ability and strength to control animals and perform daily assignments;
• Ability to demonstrate the use of all animal control equipment;
• Ability to identify animal breeds and wildlife;
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems;
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives;
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle;
• Ability to establish and maintain working

Employee Benefit Information

Health Insurance- BCBS

Dental Insurance- BCBS

Vision Insurance - EyeMed Insight

Flexible Spending - Payflex

Employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for yearly out of pocket medical expenses. Subject to IRS annual limits and restrictions.

Life Insurance- Dearborn National

The City provides each employee with a life insurance policy of 3 times their annual salary up to a maximum of $150,000.

Voluntary Term Life Option- Dearborn National

This is additional low cost life insurance available to employees and their dependents.

Employee Assistance Program- Deer Oaks

Assists in recommending counselors for any city employee experiencing personal problems.

Education Pay

Employees can receive a monthly additional pay for Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PHD degrees.

Social Security

Employee participates at 7.65% contribution with matching city funds.

Texas Municipal Retirement System

Employees participate in a statewide retirement program at 7% contribution with a city match of 2:1.

Five years vesting, 20 years retirement at any age.

Vacation

Non-civil service employees accrue 6.67 hours per month (2 weeks per year).

All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).

All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).

Sick Leave

Non-civil service employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).

All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).

All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).

Holidays

Non-civil service employees receive 13 paid holidays per year including one personal or "floating" day.

Longevity Pay

Earned at a rate of $4 per month.

This is calculated on number of years of service up to and including 25 years (maximum $1200).

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation coverage is provided for all employees.

Fire/Police

Eligible for Education/Certification pay.

Deferred Compensation Plans- Mass Mutual/Empower

Payroll deduction for employee participation. City does not contribute.

01

Select the option that best represents the highest level of education you have achieved.

• High School or equivalent
• Associates
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• post Masters Degree attendance

02

Do you have a minimum of two years of experience working with animals?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of DeSoto