Animal Care and Control Officer; Kennel

Rate of Pay:
starts at $20.65 per hour contingent on experience and budget considerations.

In this position you will provide a valued service by ensuring public health and safety, limiting public exposure to stray, diseased or aggressive animals through community patrolling, assisting veterinarians with treatments, and providing technical expertise in related areas. This role is a vital part of our shelter operations with a strong emphasis on hands‑on kennel care. As an ACO (Kennel Staff), your primary focus will be on ensuring the cleanliness, safety, and well‑being of all animals housed within our facility.

While this position is kennel‑centered, the individual may occasionally be called upon to support general field or shelter‑based Animal Control Officer duties.

The animal shelter operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays. Available shifts include 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. (on‑call, routing shift weekly). Shifts include working in the kennel, cleaning, and care for the animals.

As an employer, St. Louis County cares about the health and well‑being of employees. In an effort to provide the best possible work‑life balance, the County offers a generous benefit package that includes affordable health insurance, dental and vision coverage, 4 weeks of Paid Time Off in the first year, 11 paid holidays, deferred benefit retirement plan, paid life insurance, and short and long term disability.

A full listing of benefits is available under the benefit tab at the top of this page.

• Provide safety to the community and animals by patrolling neighborhoods for stray, diseased or aggressive animals, giving technical expertise to animal owners and providing general welfare for animals in kennels.
• Assure public health by promoting vaccination of animals in accordance with County ordinances.
• Investigate animal‑related complaints, bite cases, and animal abuse or neglect.
• Perform kennel duties such as cleaning cages and caring for the animals.
• Feed and water animals.
• Educate residents on County ordinances and issue notices for non‑compliance.
• Assist the veterinarian in administering medications, microchips, immunizations and preparing specimens for rabies testing.
• Perform additional duties as required.

• Complete and maintain hourly kennel checklists to ensure animals have proper food, water, and clean living spaces.
• Perform daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels, holding areas, and general animal care facilities.
• Conduct routine wellness checks and immediately report health or behavioral concerns to the veterinary or population management team.
• Provide enrichment, exercise, and care through dog walking, playtime, and safe socialization practices.
• Assist in feeding, grooming, and basic handling of animals in accordance with shelter protocols.
• Support intake processes by assisting with proper kennel placement, labeling, and animal documentation.
• Participate in shelter inventory, restocking supplies, and monitoring cleaning materials for safety compliance.
• Serve as a support resource for volunteers and guide them on appropriate kennel handling procedures.
• Support broader ACO responsibilities including assisting with transports, animal retrievals, and other shelter support tasks as needed.

• One year of experience working with a variety of predominantly domestic animals; or any equivalent training and experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Balance, bend/twist at waist, climb or work on ladders and stairs; kneel, lift, push/pull, reach above shoulders, squat, stand/walk for long periods; work out of doors in extreme temperatures. Ability to lift 100 lbs.

A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant including recentness and appropriateness of the applicant's education and experience, answers to supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and other appropriate information. The committee will admit to interview only those who possess the most job‑related qualifications and may establish criteria beyond the…