Humane Officer I

Humane Officer I

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Humane Officer I

Salary

$45,858.46 - $76,828.91 Annually

Location

2500 N. Military Highway, Norfolk, VA 23502, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13822R

Department

Police

Division

Police - Civilian

Opening Date

05/12/2026

Closing Date

5/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Norfolk is approximately 66 square miles with a population of 244,00 and growing. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications.

The Norfolk Animal Protection Unit is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of both animals and citizens in the City of Norfolk. Humane Officers serve as educators, enforcers, and advocates, promoting responsible pet ownership and compassion for animals. Our goal is to alleviate the suffering of animals, uphold public safety, and build stronger community awareness through humane education and law enforcement.

Performs duties involving the protection and control of animals, enforcement of animal related codes and protection of public safety. Apprehends, transports, secures, and disposes of animals in accordance with state and local laws under direction of Humane Officer II.

The departmental hiring rate for this position is $45,858.46 annually

Essential Functions

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Investigate reports of animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, and other animal related violations.

• Collect evidence, interview witnesses, and take appropriate enforcement actions in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

• Respond to complaints regarding stray, nuisance, or dangerous animals.

• Enforce leash laws, rabies vaccination requirements, and other regulations.

• Safely capture and transport animals using specialized equipment and city vehicles.

• Educate the public on responsible pet ownership and humane treatment practices.

• Prepare accurate reports, maintain records, and compile case files for court.

• Testify in legal proceedings related to animal violations.

• Collaborate with the Norfolk Animal Care Center (NACC), other local animal control agencies, animal shelters, and animal rescue groups.

• Perform routine patrols and welfare checks across the city of Norfolk

Education/Experience

Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to a High School Diploma or equivalency.

One year of experience as a sworn Police Officer; or one year of animal handling experience in an animal shelter, veterinary practice, animal control or equivalent.

Additional Information & Requirements

Valid Driver's License.

Animal Control Officer Basic Academy, Special Police Officer, Euthanasia Certification (within 12 months of employment).

Work Schedule:

Various days of the week with possible schedule rotations

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School

• High School Diploma/GED

• Some college

• Vocational/Technical School

• Associate's Degree

• Bachelor's Degree or higher

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes

• No

04

Please indicate the number of years of experience you have in Animal Control and/or Animal Protection (E.g., animal shelter, veterinary practice)?

• I have no experience.

• I have 1 years of experience.

• I have 2-4 years of experience.

• I have 4-6 years of experience.

• I have more than 6 years of experience .

05

Please briefly explain your work experience in Animal Control and/or Animal Protection (E.g., animal shelter, veterinary practice) (this information must be included in your application to be considered). If you do not have any experience, please indicate N/A.

06

Do you possess at least one year of experience as a sworn Police Officer?

• Yes

• No

07

Please briefly explain your work experience as a sworn Police Officer (this information must be included in your application to be considered). If you do not have any experience, please indicate N/A.

08

Please select the below response that best describes your computer skill level, including Microsoft Office or equivalent data processing software.

• I do not have any experience with Microsoft Office or equivalent data processing software.

• I have a beginner level of experience using computers on a random basis and require further training.

• I have a proficient level of experience using computers and can assist others with the use of a computer.

• I have an advanced level of experience using computers on a daily basis and can train others on new software.

09

Do you have any work experience in communicating and/or interacting with the public?

• Yes

• No

10

Please briefly explain your work experience in communicating and/or interacting with the public (this information be included on the application to be considered). If you do not have any experience, please indicate N/A.

11

This position requires working with several types of animals (E.g., wildlife and companion animals). I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

12

This position will occasionally deal with aggressive animals that may have to be apprehended using a ketch pole or other tool. I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

13

This position requires the ability to work in extreme temperatures, and in dirty indoor and/or outdoor environments (E.g., lifting, crawling, reaching, periods of standing, reaching and pulling). I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

14

The Animal Protection Unit operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This position requires work on the weekends, holidays, and after hours for on call shifts. I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

15

This position requires the completion of a Euthanasia Certification course within the first year of employment, and may also include administering injections for the euthanasia of sick, injured, un-weaned or nuisance animals. I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

16

This position may require you to attend some training through the Police Academy (E.g., OC spray, Taser, Baton, and some defensive tactics). I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

17

This position requires completion of an Animal Control Officer Basic course within the first year of employment (paid by the City of Norfolk). Attendance to a three-week out of town course may be required. I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

18

Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

19

As a Police employee in a non-sworn position, you may be required to work during periods of inclement weather. I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.

• Yes

• No

20

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate N/A.

21

The expected hiring salary will be $45,858.46. Are you willing to accept this salary?

• Yes

• No

22

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes- I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

• Yes- I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

• No- I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk Employee

23

A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?

• I have been convicted of a felony

• I have been convicted of a misdemeanor

• I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor

• I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor

24

If you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.

25

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran

• I am a Veteran

• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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