Animal Protection Officer - Denver Animal Protection

About the Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose – for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver.

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. Salary range: $33.22 - $51.49 per hour. Benefits include:

• Guaranteed life‑long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Office:
Denver Animal Shelter, 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO 80223.

As an Animal Protection Officer in the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment’s Animal Protection division, you will enforce local and regional laws concerning the care and treatment of animals, investigate complaints, serve a public health function, and provide education to the public.

• Investigates animal‑related crimes
  • Responds to complaints about inappropriate animal behavior, enforces rabies vaccination, licensing, and leash laws; impounds and cares for animals.
  • Issues legal summonses; writes affidavits for warrants and court orders; executes warrants and enforces court orders.
  • Chases, confines, and impounds loose animals.
  • Works with City Attorney’s and District Attorney’s Offices on cases of aggressive or dangerous animals, cruelty, neglect, abuse, or abandonment.
  • Testifies in court on violations and bite incidents; quarantines animals when necessary.
• Promotes public health and a One Health mindset
  • Inspects animal‑related establishments for compliance with ordinances and regulations.
  • Provides education and outreach to community groups, schools, and the public on responsible pet ownership and animal safety.
  • Responds to calls involving injured or sick animals and takes precautions to prevent disease spread.
• Provides public resources
  • Returns animals to identified owners using tags, micro‑chips, or neighbor information.
  • Administers vaccinations and performs humane euthanasia.
• Maintains accurate logs of calls, impoundments, and dispositions; prepares reports.
• Operates vehicle and two‑way radio as needed.
• Cleans and performs minor repairs to facilities and equipment.
• Participates on an emergency preparedness and response team; may be on‑call during emergencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requires availability for morning, evening, overnight, on‑call, weekend, and holiday shifts. Officers work a 4‑day per week, 10‑hour shift schedule. The role is physically demanding: lifting large animals, running distances, climbing, pulling, pushing, biking, and performing other strenuous tasks. Annual Health Performance Evaluation (HPE).

• Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science, Criminal Justice, Public Health, Environmental Health, or related field.
• Superior customer service skills.
• Experience responding to public health or animal‑related complaints.
• Comfortable collecting, impounding, and caring for animals.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English.

• AWAC State Certification for Animal Control Officers – must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• Expandable Baton Certification – within 6 months.
• OC Spray Certification – within 6 months.
• Euthanasia by Injection Certification – within 6 months.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• At least 2 years of experience conducting environmental/public health inspections, investigations, or management activities.
• One year of equivalent experience may substitute each year of post‑high‑school education.
• Valid Driver’s License at time of application; licenses and certifications must be kept current.

Open until Sunday, March 1, 2026. Submit application no later than 11:59 p.m. on that date.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization that does not require visa sponsorship. To request accommodations, contact Jobs.