Animal Control Officer - I AF ($3,000.00 Hiring Incentive)

Animal Control Officer - I AF ($3,000.00 Hiring Incentive)

Salary

$19.90 - $24.87 Hourly

Location

Animal Resource Center (3441 Northern Blvd. NE)

Job Type

Full Time AF

Job Number

2026-00018

Department

Parks, Recreation & Community Services

Division

Animal Resource Center

Opening Date

02/18/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

Hiring Incentive will be paid out in three equal installments.

The Animal Control Officer-I performs routine enforcement work with respect to the control, care, custody and disposal of strays, wild, or surrendered animals. Insures compliance with City ordinances pertaining to animal control.

Education, Training, Experience, Certifications, Licenses and Registrations

Education / higher education: High School Graduate or equivalent

Minimum number of years of directly related experience: Twelve months related work experience with animal care and behavior.

Education and/or experience preferences: Classes in bite prevention and pet care highly desirable.

Driver's License requirement: Frequent Driver -- Regular Drivers License Required Endorsements: None

Note -- For any driver, driving record must always meet City driving and insurability standards.

Required certifications, licenses or registrations: None

Preferred certifications, licenses or registrations: None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge: City and county ordinances, and state health regulations concerning animal control; Court procedures and rules of evidence; Care and feeding of domestic and wild animals; Working knowledge of the city and the location of streets, thoroughfares and buildings; Animal behavior, diseases and breeds and have the ability to control a variety of wild and domesticated animals.

Skills: Must be able to type rapidly and accurately enough to successfully produce documents/spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, or perform data entry as necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the position (must test at or above 30 net WPM). Use of technology, equipment and software typically used in the office environment. Basic record keeping skills; Capturing, transporting, and confining/sheltering animals; Euthanizing and disposing of dead animals; Maintaining clean and sanitary kennels; Handling domestic and wild animals.

Abilities: Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with veterinarians, law enforcement agencies, City staff and the general public; Read, understand, and follow departmental rules and regulations, instructions in general, and laws and ordinances; Follow written and oral directions; Lift large animals up to 50-70 pounds onto an animal control truck; Analyze situations and to adopt appropriate and reasonable courses of action; Enforce regulations with firmness, tact, impartiality, and professionalism, sometimes under confrontational situations; Prepare and maintain accurate and timely written reports; Talk to children and to teach dog and cat responsibilities and to know how to handle themselves in an attack from a dog; Utilize a restraint pole, a variety of animal traps, nets, snappy snare, and tranquilizer gun.

Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities: Internal: Works with other Public Safety officials and staff, veterinary and kennel staff. External: Works with the general public.

Essential Functions

The following functions are typical for this position. The omission of specific functions does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Perform routine enforcement work in the control, care, custody and disposal of strays and/or wild animals and insure compliance with City ordinances pertaining to animal control.
• Respond to resident complaints regarding animals in an Animal Resources Center vehicle.
• Pick up dead or injured animals or strays, including cats, dogs and other animals.
• Impound animals running at-large or picked up from a facility
• Visit homes to inspect licenses, vaccination certificates, and alleged complaints. Institute quarantines in bite cases.
• Investigate complaints concerning the treatment of animals or noncompliance with animal control ordinances.
• Cite animal owners for animal control violations, prepares cases and appears in court in subsequent legal action, representing the City.
• May be required to destroy animals in the field and in the kennel when needed.
• Assist Department of Public Safety by securing animals in emergency situations
• Inspect businesses for proper permits.
• Perform a variety of customer service and administrative duties related to animal control operations within the City.
• Maintain records and prepares periodic and special reports on enforcement activities.
• Interpret and explain animal control ordinances for City residents.
• Answer phones; enter calls into HTE CAD and Dispatch Field Officers.
• Issue licenses, maintain logs, records and collect fees, processes adoptions, reclaims, and surrender.
• Prepares daily deposit as needed.
• Perform a variety of duties in the kennel.
• Identify sex and breed of impounded animals.
• Vaccinate impounded animals, file appropriate paperwork, check for license or identification and place in kennel, Notify owners of impounded animals.
• Monitor animals for sickness and/or disease and transport to the veterinarian for treatment when necessary. Medicate animals as needed.
• Provide for food and water of impounded animals.
• Clean and disinfect cages, inside and outside runs, and cattery.
• Maintain inventory and keep supplies stocked.
• Clean Animal Resources Center facilities and vehicles.
• Does routine laundry as needed in kennels.
• Serve as needed for emergency response and recovery.
• Transport and pick up surgery animals.
• Pick up and deliver pet licenses.
• Make mail run as needed.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Rio Rancho click here.

01

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least twelve months related work experience with animal care and behavior?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Rio Rancho

Address 3200 Civic Center Circle NE

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87144

Phone 505-896-8750

Website https://rrnm.gov/