CANINE CONTROL OFFICER I/II

CANINE CONTROL OFFICER I/II

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Job Description

Job Title: Canine Control Officer I/II

Department/Division: Community Development / Canine Control

Reports to: Canine Control Manager

Supervises: n/a

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay Grade: Officer I: 110

Officer II: 115

Employee Group: Non-Bargaining

Revision Date: January 2025

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Associate's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience: One year of code enforcement, law enforcement or related experience OR any combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

Minimum Certifications:

ALL POSITIONS

• National Animal Control and Humane Officer Academy Modules A, B, and C required, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Animal Welfare, which is broken down into multiple different training classes based on species, each with its own certification required, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

OFFICER II:

• Sodium Pentobarbital for Animal Euthanasia Certificate required, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

Other Requirements: Valid Washington State driver's license if driving a vehicle for County business.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Canine Control Manager, this position is responsible for enforcing County codes and ordinances for the licensing, care, and control of canines, ensuring public safety and welfare. Responsible for animal welfare within the Benton County Canine Shelter and assist in the canine adoption process.

This is a career progression series opportunity. Employees are eligible for progression through the classification series based on attaining the minimum qualifications for each level and meeting performance measures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

ALL POSITIONS

• Performs field calls for stray canines, injured canines and/or dangerous/potentially dangerous canines.
• Investigates all public canine complaints including stray animals, cruelty investigations, hoarding, missing animals search and reunification, defecation complaints, licensing, and animal bites.
• Receives information from complainant; meets with owners of animals when possible; provides information regarding local ordinances; prepares reports; and provides follow-up as needed.
• Enforces applicable ordinances; issues warning or citations for violations of ordinances, and assists with Code Enforcement as required.
• Captures, tags, and logs canines into the animal shelter.
• Makes dispositions of all complaints or inquiries or directs people to the proper organizations to handle the complaints.
• Prepares accurate reports and maintains daily logs relating to all animal control matters, including euthanasia, animal bites, and quarantines.
• Cleans and disinfects animal cages in Benton County Canine Shelter; cleans/maintains common areas, restrooms, vehicles, walls, floors and isolation/quarantine areas; cleans food and water dishes, and related kennel equipment.
• Prepares food, feeds and waters canines. Provides socialization and caring environment for sheltered canines.
• Uploads pictures and descriptions of canines for potential adoption from shelter; works with interested parties for re-homing of shelter canines.
• Properly maintains all work equipment.
• Responds to requests for assistance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

OFFICER II

• Identifies sick and diseased canines; determines need and arranges for veterinary care.
• Performs euthanasia.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• County and State animal control laws, regulations and procedures.
• Principles and practices for capturing and handling a variety of wild and domestic animals.
• Principles of animal behavior, health, welfare and nutrition.
• Specialized animal control equipment and techniques.
• Personal Protective Equipment purpose, use, and maintenance.
• Safety procedures associated with assigned tasks.
• Administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Computer software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Answering calls and complaints involving animal control.
• Advising owners of loose animals, leash laws and the necessity of keeping animals under control.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

Ability to:

ALL POSITIONS

• Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Identify canine species, breeds, ages and sexes; signs of illnesses and injuries.
• Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Work the allocated hours of the position and responds after hours if needed.

OFFICER II

• Perform euthanasia.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. Situations may require physical ability to perform such activities as direct pursuit or wrestling with individuals.
• Work requires operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surrounding and activities. This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to animal attacks, animal feces, and infectious diseases carried by animals.
• Work is in an office setting, animal shelter setting, and in the field.

Hourly Rate:

Officer I: $27.40 - $35.55 / hr

Officer II: $29.32 - $38.05 / hr

Position : 137000004

Code : 21-4

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Location : ANIMAL CONTROL

Grade : NB NON-EX GR 15

Group : NON BARGAI

Job Class : NON BARG NON-EXEMPT

Posting Start : 07/14/2026

Posting End : 07/28/2026

SALARY RANGE: $60,985.60-$79,144.00

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