Animal Protection Officer

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Final date to receive applications:

July 14, 2026

Compensation Details:

Hiring Range
28.52 - 41.36

This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

BMEA (20+ Hours)
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description

Summary:

Under limited supervision, provides high quality animal protection and human safety services through compassion, education and enforcement of laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantine, impoundment and treatment/protection of animals required.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Responds to calls/complaints for service regarding stray, vicious, injured, sick, nuisance and dead animals.

Resolves complaints through enforcement, investigation, and mediation.

Investigates violations of animal laws, animal bite cases, cruelty/neglect cases, and neighborhood disputes related to nuisance animals.

Gathers evidence and enforces quarantine orders, issues summonses and warning notices, impounds animals, and manages wildlife conflicts.

Prepares cases and testifies in court, includes being a credible witness.

Knows and enforces laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantine, impoundment and protection/treatment of animals.

Maintains awareness of new laws and legislation pertaining to animal protection.

Interprets laws and regulations applicable to animal protection and informs staff of changes in such regulations.

Assists and advises the public of laws and ordinances pertaining to care and treatment of animals.

Provides on-going patrol and initiates activity when violations are observed.

Prepares a variety of reports, including numbers of animals impounded, animal bites, complaint reports, animals euthanized, and investigation reports.

Makes oral presentations before business, civic, school and/or other groups as appropriate on topics pertaining to animal protection, animal welfare, and public safety.

Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.

Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents.

Ensures the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.

Knows and complies with all city and department policies, participating in professional trainings and development, and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAbility and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Ability to be flexible and open to change.

Ability to demonstrate interpersonal, problem solving and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to deal tactfully with the public.

Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and organizational skills.

Ability to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to handle confidential information in a secure, professional and discretionary manner.

Ability that can be demonstrated to handle multiple demands simultaneously, deal with interruptions, and handle difficult situations under time pressure.

Knowledge at a working level of computerized databases including Word and Excel.

Skills and competency in basic arithmetic.

Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSAbility to analyze and interpret laws and regulations and to formulate, develop, and present recommendations for such regulations.

Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in explaining and enforcing state laws and local ordinances pertaining to animal protection and to diffuse hostile situations and calm irate residents.

Knowledge of the Boulder area and community, and familiarity with the geographic layout of the City of Boulder.

Skills at a bilingual level in English/Spanish.

Previous animal protection officer or welfare investigator experience or equivalent.

Demonstrated experience in leadership, team building, problem-solving, and strong people skills.

Associates and/or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or…