Animal Control Officer

This position is responsible for providing prompt and humane response to animal related issues through the enforcement of ordinances associated with citizen complaints, animal regulation and health and human safety. The work is performed under general supervision. 

The hiring salary for this position is $59,114.

1. Responds to animal-related complaints; interacts with citizens over concerns and resolves enforcement issues.
2. Responds to after-hours emergencies on a rotational basis including evenings, weekends, and holidays;
3. Assists the Health Department, Sheriff’s Department, and Maryland State Police, and Emergency Services with issues pertaining to animals;
4. Interacts with St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resource Center, DNR, Rescue Organizations, veterinarians, and other agencies on a regular basis;
5. Responds to, aggressive, sick and/or injured wildlife calls;
6. Responsible for safely transporting shelter animals to veterinary appointments, partner shelters, and other approved locations.
7. Conducts investigations as directed; e.g. Animal Cruelty, Bite Reports, Animal Attacks and at Large Animals
8. Answers phones, and schedules calls for service when on office detail;
9. Assists in providing adequate care of animals in our custody and properly maintains equipment as necessary;
10. Gives educational demonstrations at schools and other organizations as requested;
11. Issue Uniform Civil Citations, Writes Reports, Appears in Court;
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Ability to gain thorough knowledge of St. Mary’s County Government policies and procedures;
2. Ability to effectively represent St. Mary’s County Government to the public;
3. Knowledge of the relevant State Statutes and Local Ordinances governing the control and care of animals;
4. Ability to effectively handle a variety of animals in potentially dangerous situations;
5. Ability to effectively communicate with staff and members of the public;
6. Writing, communication skills, and case documentation in department directed software.
7. Demonstrate education or certification in conducting animal cruelty investigations

1. High school diploma or G.E.D;
2. Three years or more of professional animal handling experience.
3. Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience.

Additional Requirements:

1. Must pass a pre-employment physical examination, background investigation and psychological evaluation.
2. Position is classified as safety-sensitive and shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. 
3. Must maintain a valid Driver's license.
4. Must have Pre-Exposure rabies vaccination series within 90 days 
5. Must successfully complete the following FEMA Independent Study courses within the first year of employment:
   • ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System;
   • ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents;
   • IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction;
   • IS-10.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness; 
   • IS-11.a Animals in Disasters: Community Planning; 
   • IS-111.a Livestock in Disasters;
   • IS-240.b Leadership and Influence; 
   • IS-241.b Decision Making and Problem Solving; 
   • IS-242.b Effective Communication;
6. Must successfully complete required certification to become a licensed Animal Control Officer in the state of Maryland within one year of employment.
7. Subject to call-back in emergency situations.
8. Must possess a Maryland Hunter Safety card or ability to obtain with 90 days of employment.

Physical and Environmental Conditions: 
Work demands constant strenuous effort. Required to perform manual work involving walking over rough, uneven terrain, repeated bending, climbing, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching. Work requires constant physical effort including lifting or handling of heavy animals, tools or materials of 60 pounds or more.

Work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g. aggressive human and animal behavior, extreme outdoor weather conditions, or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled.

Must also have the physical ability to push/pull, squat, twist and turn. Requires standing or walking of 60%+ of the time.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls. 


Full salary range for this position is $59,114 - $101,691 annually. The full salary range does not reflect the anticipated hiring salary for this position. The anticipated hiring range is $59,114 annually.