Animal Control Officer

A Drug-Free Workplace

Invites your interest for the position of

Animal Control Officer

$4,839 – $6,610 per Month

Exam # 26/34C01/10PH

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Monterey County Health Department’s Animal Services Bureau is seeking an enthusiastic Animal Control Officer to join our team of dedicated professionals to provide compassionate and effective services for the animals of Monterey County. The County of Monterey via the Health Department provides operational oversight for Hitchcock Road Animal Services, which is a Joint Power Agency for the City of Salinas and County of Monterey.

Animal Control Officers (ACO) provide field services that include (but are not limited to) local and state ordinance enforcement and issuance of citations, stray, injured and aggressive animal pick up, animal bite investigation, noise and nuisance complaints, documentation, and public education on responsible pet ownership.

Animal Control Officers make a real impact in the community by protecting animals and promoting public safety. Officers patrol assigned areas, respond to calls for service, investigate violations, safely capture and care for animals in need, maintain accurate and thorough records, educate pet owners, and support rabies control efforts. Officers may also assist with dispatch duties and coordinate responses to animal-related incidents. This position combines fieldwork, problem-solving and compassionate animal care in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

Animal Services, through Hitchcock Road Animal Services, provides field, sheltering and licensing services to the residents of the City of Salinas and County of Monterey. The Bureau operates an Animal Services facility that takes in about 4,000 animals each year.

As of 4/12/2023, the Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.

 

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flyer.

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website: Animal Control Officer

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

 

Working Knowledge of:

 

Skill and Ability to:

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience:

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CLASSIFICATION:

• Have ability to exercise patience and care in dealing with animals; tolerate animal noise and odor.
• Have ability to exercise tact, self-restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with a variety of people both friendly and hostile.
• Have ability to tolerate the destructions of animals.

BENEFITS: 

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

 

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions. 
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9. 
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary. 

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCEDURES:

Apply on-line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

by the final filing date of Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours, 

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting: 

Monterey County Health Department

Attn: Human Resources Division

1270 Natividad Road

Salinas, CA 93906.

Phone: (831) 755-4519 Fax: (831) 796-8682 

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

 

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES:

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

 

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline of Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST) to [email protected]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Priscilla Herrera, Human Resources Management Analyst II, at (831) 755 – 4515 or [email protected].