Animal Control Officer

Salary : $44,054.40 Annually
Location : Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-00003
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026 11:59 PM Central


General Position Summary

• Low Cost Medical/Dental Insurance.
• RSA Retirement Benefits.
• Effective 10/12/2026, a 2% COLA will be added to the posted salary.

This position enforces state and local laws and ordinances to protect the safety and rights of the public and the welfare of animals. Tasks and responsibilities include responding to reports of vicious animals, animal cruelty, animal pick-up and confinement, responding to property damage complaints, issuing citations, public education, inspection of containment facilities, preparing reports, representing the City at public hearings, and testifying in court. Much of the work is performed in the field driving a department vehicle and responding to reported violations or area of need. Duties also include other support functions of animal control, i.e. the sale of animal licenses and ensuring past due notices are mailed to citizens when necessary.

Examples of Responsibilities

• Performs apprehension, control, and confinement of loose, unlicensed, injured, abandoned or dangerous animals.
• Operates the Animal Control vehicle.
• Investigates reports of animal cruelty and vicious animals.
• Enforces animal control ordinances, including issuing citations and warnings.
• Uses tranquilizer weapons and catch poles when necessary.
• Patrols City and picks up stray, unlicensed or sick animals, or those presenting a nuisance.
• Answers complaints from the public relating to stray animals.
• Transports animals to be euthanized.
• Places cages to trap animals.
• Establishes and maintains an effective relationship with the public and other City employees, local veterinarians and veterinarian's staff
• Transports dead animals to veterinarian for disposal.
• Feeds animals in shelter.
• Facilitates adoptions, using Pet Finder or other means.
• Cleans the shelter daily.
• Sells animal license to citizens of Madison.
• Mediates and helps to resolve conflicts between parties involving animal control issues including, but not limited to, property damage, barking, cruelty, degree of animal confinement, potential or actual danger and injury to or by animals.
• Issues notices of violations; issues hearings notices; and testifies at hearings.
• Educates the public on City ordinances, animal requirements, and protected species.
• Prepares written and oral reports involving contested cases; creates, monitors and maintains case files, which will require basic English, grammar, punctuation, report and letter compilation skills using office equipment, including a computer for word processing, Excel and PowerPoint.

Job Conditions

• Must be available to work weekends, occasional extended hours and varying hours.
• Incumbents perform the majority of assigned work outdoors in all weather conditions and hazardous driving conditions. In addition, the position requires exposure to highly unpleasant and disagreeable circumstances including cruelty to animals, animal remains, injured or dangerous animals, unclean conditions and animal feces.
• The work involves considerable exposure to disagreement or controversy and situations involving conflict, anger, verbal abuse and some potential for violence.

Minimal Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Some related experience required.
• Possess the required educational level or its equivalent in order to perform and comprehend the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Additional Requirements:

• A valid Alabama driver's license.
• Ability to obtain Level I, and Level II Animal Control Certification.
• Must maintain a strong driving record for city-insurance purposes; and record may be periodically checked by the City.
• Strong background record required, due to accessibility to city property and interaction with public and children.

Supplemental Information

• Strong computer skills with job related software programs.
• Knowledge of the City's animal control ordinances and regulations.
• Knowledge of geographic area of the City.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations and to determine proper course of action.
• Ability to explain and enforce animal control ordinances and regulations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties.
• Ability to properly and safely place traps.
• Ability to safely handle animals.
• Ability to exercise judgment, tact and courtesy in sensitive or controversial situations.
• Ability to maintain composure and act quickly and effectively in an emergency.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other departments, agencies and the public.
• Skill in writing to prepare reports and other documentation of activities.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate a high level of judgment and discretion required for maintaining confidential and sensitive information.

Physical Capabilities:

• This position's physical requirements involve heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must see well enough to operate a vehicle, read, write reports, safely operate a tranquilizer weapon.
• Hear well enough to communicate by radio, telephone or any other transmitting device.
• Speak well enough to communicate your meaning, and to effectively testify in a courtroom setting.
• Ability to run, maneuver quickly and apply physical strength in the apprehension, control and containment of animals.
• Dexterity of limbs, hands and fingers to write and use a wide range of personal protection devices.
• Physical tolerance to adapt and perform under adverse conditions.
• Ability to travel occasionally to include overnight travel for schools/training or other department related function.

01


Do you have a High School diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess (or have the ability to successfully obtain) Level I, and Level II Animal Control Certification?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you knowledgeable of the City's animal control ordinances and regulations?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you speak well enough to communicate your meaning, and to effectively testify in a courtroom setting?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have the ability to see well enough to operate vehicle, read, write reports, safely operate a tranquilizer weapon?

• Yes
• No

06


Are you able to prepare reports and other documentation clearly in writing with basic English grammar?

• Yes
• No

07


This job requires exposure to highly unpleasant and disagreeable circumstances including cruelty to animals, animal remains, injured or dangerous animals, unclean conditions and animal feces. Are you able to perform this position under these circumstances with or without reasonable accommodations?

• Yes
• No

08


This position requires the ability to run, maneuver quickly and apply physical strength in the apprehension, control and containment of animals. Are you able to perform this requirement with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

09


This job requires to travel occasionally to include overnight travel for schools/training or other department related function. Could you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

10


Would you be able to work weekends, occasional extended hours and varying hours?

• Yes
• No

11


The starting hourly rate of pay for this position is $21.18 per hour. Is this acceptable to you?

• Yes
• No

Required Question