Animal Services Officer

The City of Elk Grove is now accepting applications for the position of

ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER

$2,500 SIGNING BONUS*!

* 50% paid upon hire, with the remainder paid at the completion of the probationary period.

The City of Elk Grove is seeking Animal Services Officers to join the Police Department at our state-of-the art Animal Shelter. The ideal candidate is a compassionate, self-motivated professional who thrives in a dynamic and community-oriented environment. They possess exceptional customer service skills, demonstrating patience, empathy, and professionalism in every interaction.

This individual has a strong sense of personal accountability and can work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a high level of integrity and sound judgment. They are proactive in resolving issues, adaptable to changing situations, and committed to public safety and animal welfare. We are looking for someone who values teamwork but is confident in taking initiative and making informed decisions in the field.  

Above all, they are passionate about serving the community and improving the lives of both people and animals through education, enforcement, and compassionate service.

Experience in handling animals safely and humanely, knowledge of local and state animal control regulations, and the ability to defuse conflict with professionalism is highly desirable.

Learn more about the City of Elk Grove's state-of-the-art Animal Shelter.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Filing, by 11:59 pm

Oral Board Interviews:
March 19, 2026 (Virtual)

Selection Interviews:
March 23, 2026 (In Person)

The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more. Why work for the City of Elk Grove? Proud Heritage. Bright Future.

Community Profile

Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

DESCRIPTION:

The incumbent will perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of various City and state animal related ordinances, regulations, and laws governing the care and keeping of livestock and domestic animals in the City; investigate complaints regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous or diseased animals and issue appropriate citations; transport animals to City designated shelter; prepare written reports for prosecution of local ordinances and state law;

provide public information and education to citizens and community groups regarding animal services; and perform other duties related to humane animal protection and control.

* Operates an animal services vehicle patrolling streets and alleys to capture and confine stray and unlicensed animals; and impounds dead, sick, injured, stray, or trapped domestic and non-domestic animals.

* Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals.

* Responds to and conducts initial investigation of complaints regarding animal cruelty and abuse.

* Investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.

* Enforces applicable animal control codes and licensing ordinances; issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; files criminal complaints with City Attorney or District Attorney; testifies in court or administrative hearings regarding citations and disposition of complaints as necessary.

* Takes into custody animals turned in by the public including trapped animals; quarantines and disposes of animals as appropriate.

* Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; provides public information and education to citizens and community groups regarding animal services policies and procedures; gives public presentations as necessary; educates the public on laws, codes, ordinances, and policies relating to the care and control of animals.

* Identifies symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary medical care, isolation or destruction; may perform and/or assist in the euthanasia of animals.

* Operates and maintains a variety of animal services tools and equipment including humane traps, mobile radios, and related animal services tools and equipment; keeps equipment and vehicle in clean and healthful condition to accept…