Animal Control Officer (General Services Department)

GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT - DETROIT ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL DIVISION

Under immediate supervision, promotes public safety and health, enforces animal care and control laws, and provides a variety of animal care and control services in the City of Detroit.

Enforcement

• Enforce local Chapter 6 ordinances, such as leash laws, licensing, vaccinations, quarantining, dangerous dog, and barking dog ordinances.
• Patrol assigned area in an animal control vehicle to ensure compliance with animal control regulations and respond to routine and emergency calls.
• Assess reported or observed violations of animal control regulations, make determinations, and take required action such as issuing citations.
• Provide field services including capturing domestic and wild animals, examining injured and ill animals to select treatment disposition, and removing animals from a variety of hazardous situations.
• Investigate complaints regarding violations of city animal control ordinances and provide documentation of these investigations.
• Prepare records and reports and enter data into a software system using a computer.
• Gather evidence on animal care cases, including photographs, video recordings, and other information for presentation in court.
• Maintain legal chain-of-custody for evidentiary materials.
• Testify in court on cases pertaining to violations of animal regulatory ordinances.
• Prepare specimens for rabies testing.
• Use department issued equipment, operate a variety of communications equipment, and report equipment damage.

 
Customer Service

• Provide information to the public regarding licensing, vaccinations, impoundment, euthanasia, rabies control, pet-owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, and adoptions.
• Collect fees for animal quarantine, impound, licensing services, and other services.
• Assist with front office duties such as receiving animals brought to the shelter by the public and releasing impounded animals to the public.

  
Animal Care

• Perform animal care duties such as feeding animals, monitoring sick and dangerous animals, segregating and isolating animals when necessary, detect disease or injury in animals, perform minor medical treatments on animals as necessary per DACC training, and assist the veterinarian with vaccinations and inspections of animals.
• Perform euthanasia or assist with handling during euthanasia.
• Clean and disinfect kennel areas, vehicles, and equipment.

Education

• High School graduation or G.E.D. 

Experience

• One year experience in caring for animals.

Licensing and Certifications

• Must possess Animal Control Officer certification by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, having completed and submitted 100 hours of training, or willing to become certified as an Animal Control Officer within six months of hire.
• Must possess certification by a Michigan State Licensed Veterinarian to perform euthanasia by injection, or willing to become certified in euthanasia by injection within one year of hire.
• Completion of Emergency Preparedness training to include, but not limited to FEMA ISC 100, 200, 700 and 800 and others as required by department staff. To ensure standards for privacy, certification in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required within 30 days of hire.
• Employees in this class are required to operate a motor vehicle; valid State of Michigan Operator License required.
• Pursuant to MCL section 287.289b:

• (1) The board of county commissioners shall adopt minimum employment standards relative to the recruitment, selection and appointment of animal control officers. The minimum standards shall include:

  • (a) Requirements for physical, educational, mental and moral fitness.

  • (b) A minimum course of study of not less than 100 instructional hours as prescribed by the department of agriculture.

• (2) Subdivision (b) shall not apply if the animal control officer is a police officer or has served at least 3 years as an animal control officer.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit:   15 points

LRD: 10/20/2026

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of shelter animal care and kennel care, decontamination, and contagions in a shelter environment.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and ordinances related to animal care and control.
• Skill in understanding and following written instructions.
• Skill in transmitting clear, concise and accurate verbal and written reports.
• Skill in the safe and proper use of animal capture equipment which includes, but is not limited to traps, leashes, and stretchers.
• Skill in safe and proper use of animal handling techniques.
• Skill in determining the most direct route to and from calls for service as well as destination shelter and veterinary facilities.
• Skill in performing intake and other basic tasks such as vaccinating animals, assessing vital signs, restraining for veterinary care, and basic animal grooming necessary for hygienic purposes.
• Ability to effectively interact with stray and injured animals, the public, veterinarians, and Public Safety personnel.
• Ability to use a handheld, desktop, or laptop computer and learn specialized workplace software.
• Ability to prepare written and oral reports of a technical nature.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness in handling difficult problems.
• Ability to react quickly and maintain emotional stability and mental awareness under stressful conditions.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and prioritize competing priorities.
• Ability to transport, capture, and appropriately handle animals.
• Ability to recognize behavioral signals of animals that indicate fear or aggressiveness.
• Ability to distinguish animal type, animal color, and breed type.
• Ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture.

Physical Demands

• While performing field-related duties, the employee is frequently required to lift up to 60 lbs. without assistance, restrain or control aggressive animals, sit, stand, walk, run, and move freely.

Work Environment

•  The noise level may be quiet or very loud.

• Though applicable safety procedures are documented and utilized, the employee may be exposed to unsanitary or unhygienic materials, individuals, animals, and situations in the course of performing duties.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.