What does it take to run the nation’s largest animal control agency? It takes people who are dedicated to our mission of promoting and protecting public safety and animal care. The Department of Animal Care and Control has more than fifty job classifications to accomplish our mission, employing people in areas such as field services, shelter operations, enforcement services, medical services, administration, human resources, information technology services, fiscal services, and volunteer services.
If you are interested in joining us, we invite you to explore current open job examinations at the County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources website. To aid you, the following is a brief description for positions that are unique to our Department:
Animal Control Officer I
Positions allocable to this class perform a wide variety of routine field work under the supervision of higher-level personnel involving responsibility for responding to incidents and providing animal control services in an unincorporated area or contract city of the County and in accordance with established service agreements. Incumbents typically operate light vehicles while working in the field with a great deal of independence and are expected to utilize a basic knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Department of Animal Care and Control and applicable codes and ordinances governing animal care and control, animal identification, recognition of illness, habits and behavior of various animals and the techniques and equipment used in capturing, restraining, receiving, feeding, caring for, grooming and releasing animals. Incumbents also are expected to enforce State, County and City codes, ordinances, and laws pertaining to animals.
Six months of full-time experience at the level of Animal Shelter Aid* or Animal Care Attendant I* in an animal regulatory agency AND successful completion of a department-sponsored training program per California Penal Code Section 832** is required within six (6) months of appointment as a condition of completing probationary status.
Animal Control Officer II
Positions allocable to this class work under the general supervision of higher-level personnel, operating light vehicles and providing animal control services in an unincorporated area or contract city of the County and in accordance with established service agreements, inspecting pet shops, licensed kennels, grooming parlors, animal menageries, animal exhibitions and wholesale wild animal dealers; and explaining relevant laws and issuing warnings or citations for violations of animal control laws. Incumbents utilize a knowledge of applicable codes and ordinances governing animal care and control and departmental policies and procedures; animal identification, illnesses, habits and behaviors; and the techniques and equipment used in capturing and restraining, receiving, feeding, caring for, grooming and releasing animals.
Requires six months of experience at the level of Animal Control Officer I* for an animal control regulatory agency. Possession of certification indicating successful completion of training program per California Penal Code Section 832**.
*Experience at the level of Animal Control Officer I refers to experience enforcing State, County and City codes and ordinances governing animal control including the care and treatment, impounding, quarantine, licensing vaccination, and regulation of a variety of animals.
Animal Control Officer III
Positions allocable to this class serve as a lead Animal Control Officer, under the technical direction and administrative supervision of higher-level personnel, and handle the more difficult and complex assignments of animal control. Incumbents may rotate between the first and second shifts and assume charge of the Animal Care Center/Shelter in the absence of higher-level personnel. Positions in this class must utilize a thorough knowledge of State laws, County ordinances and means of their enforcement; and departmental procedures regarding the impoundment, treatment and sheltering of domestic and wild animals; the placement of stray or abandoned animals; and courtroom and hearing procedures.
Requires three years of experience at the level of Animal Control Officer I* for an animal control/regulatory agency.
Possession of certification indicating successful completion of training program per California Penal Code Section 832**
*Experience at the level of Animal Control Officer I refers to experience enforcing State, County and City codes and ordinances governing animal control including the care and treatment, impounding, quarantine, licensing vaccination, and regulation of a variety of animals.
Animal Control Officer IV
Positions allocable to this class serve as assistant to the Animal Control Manager and assume charge of the shelter in the absence of the manager. Incumbents must utilize a knowledge of the principles of supervision; a thorough knowledge of animal diseases, sanitation, care and treatment; State laws, County ordinances, city codes and ordinances, and their enforcement; departmental procedures regarding the impoundment, treatment and sheltering of domestic and wild animals; the placement of stray or abandoned animals; and courtroom and hearing procedures.
Four years of experience enforcing animal care and control laws, including the investigation of violations and court prosecution for an animal control/regulatory agency. One year of the experience must have been at the level of Animal Control Officer III* for an animal control/regulatory agency – AND – Possession of certification indicating successful completion of training program per California Penal Code Section 832**.
* Experience at the level of Animal Control Officer III refers to experience serving as lead Animal Control Officer by assisting in the operation of an Animal Care Center/Shelter and in enforcing State, County, and City codes and ordinances governing animal control functions such as animal care, field enforcement, shelter maintenance, licensing, and related assignments.
Animal Control Manager
Positions allocable to this class receive administrative direction from a Deputy Director and are responsible for the operations of an animal care center in an assigned geographical area or for providing management services and administrative coordination for a comprehensive Countywide animal care and control program that has significant impact to the Department such as Revenue Services; Major Case Unit animal cruelty investigations; Critical Case Unit dangerous and vicious dog investigations; animal behavior and enrichment; or community outreach and education. Positions in this class have responsibility for animal shelter operations or a comprehensive Countywide program on a 24-hour, seven days-a-week basis and provide administrative and technical supervision to staff engaged in field patrol services, enforcement of animal license and vaccination services, animal care operations, animal behavior assessment and management, community outreach, humane education, customer service, animal cruelty investigations, dangerous/vicious dog investigations, and care center office work. These positions also perform budgetary, operational, and personnel management functions in order to effectively utilize the financial, material, and human resources allocated to assigned animal care center or a comprehensive Countywide program. Positions in this class must work effectively with members of the public, animal welfare groups, volunteers, community groups, board offices and city officials, and exercise knowledge specific to their assignment, such as State laws and County ordinances; courtroom and hearing practices; Departmental procedures pertinent to the impoundment, treatment and care of domestic and wild animals, and placement of stray or abandoned animals; animal behavior and enrichment theories and training strategies; and humane education practices.
Requires three years of experience providing technical supervision in the operation of an animal care center or a comprehensive Countywide program including responsibility for investigation of violations of animal care and control regulations and court prosecution or;
Bachelor’s degree in Ethology, Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Veterinary Technology or a closely related field and a minimum of five years of animal training or enrichment experience.
Registered Veterinary Technician
Positions allocable to this class are characterized by their responsibility for independently providing paramedical treatment to animals, providing more complex medical treatment under the direction of a licensed veterinarian, and assisting in the maintenance of animal health care programs within County animal care center/shelter facilities or providing paramedical support for the investigation of zoonotic diseases within the veterinary public health and rabies control unit. Incumbents must exercise a knowledge of animal behavior and anatomy, techniques of administrating medications and treatments to animals, general surgical procedures and equipment used in animal health clinics, inventorying and maintaining pharmaceutical supplies and equipment and principles of disease control. They must also have the ability to handle and care for animals in a humane manner.
Requires a valid Registered Veterinary Technician Certificate issued by the California State Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine. A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Veterinarian
This position reports to the Sr. Veterinarian and oversees the operation of Spay and Neuter clinic, including supervision of technical and support staff. Provides medical services dealing with the prevention, treatment and control of diseases and injuries in animals and, in public health, enforces laws and regulations.
Graduation from an accredited* veterinary school with a Doctorate degree** in veterinary medicine.
A valid California Class C Driver’s License or the ability to utilize and alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.