Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer Examination

Application Open Date: 07/13/2026

Application Close Date: 07/27/2026

Salary: $25.10 - $26.76 per hour.

Examples of Duties

Under general supervision, performs work of routine difficulty enforcing animal control ordinances and regulations. Patrols assigned areas within the City to detect and prevent violations of animal control ordinances and regulations; responds to incidents including stray animals, animal bites, noise complaints, and animal cruelty. Chases, apprehends, impounds, and transports domestic, exotic, and wild animals that are stray, injured, and diseased. Uses snares, catch poles, and traps to capture and impound animals. Places animals in animal service vehicle. Transports captured animals to the City's animal shelter. Investigates incidents involving animal cruelty, animal bites, and animal nuisances reported by members of the public. Interviews complainants, victims, and witnesses in order to collect information on possible violations of animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations. Identifies, collects, and preserves evidence pertaining to investigations of animal cruelty. Identifies the owners of animals that are the subject of an investigation. Gives verbal and written warnings as well as citations to animal owners and animal handlers who have violated ordinances and regulations related to animal control. Prepares incident reports and completes all forms pertaining to animal control activities. Assists Cleveland Safety Forces and other city departments by handling animals that are present at crime scenes. Assists bailiffs by handling animals present during evictions. Testifies in court and at hearings on the enforcement of animal control citations and other matters relating to animal control. Performs kennel duties as required by handling, feeding, cleaning, and providing care to animals; maintains the sanitary conditions of kennels. Handles domestic, exotic, and wild animals that are stray, injured, and diseased. Performs euthanasia procedures on injured, sick, dangerous, or unwanted animals by means of lethal injection (when certified). Operates a two-way portable radio, an animal control service vehicle, catch poles, traps, needles, syringes, computers and other various pieces of office equipment. Provides customer service to residents and customers that enter the kennel. Performs other job-related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED is required. The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the animal handling/sheltering/care field is preferred but, not required. Must obtain certification as a Euthanasia Technician within one year of the date of employment. A valid State of Ohio Driver's License is required. Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds. Must be computer proficient and have the ability to learn RMS system and Divisional computer programs.

Reminder: Minimum qualifications must be met as of the last day of the accepting applications. You must upload these documents at the time of submitting your application or email the documents to View email address on click.appcast.io and include the Job Title in the email.

Supplemental Information

RESIDENCY CREDIT

A person who has had as his/her primary residence in the City of Cleveland for at least one year at the time of filing a Civil Service application, and desires to take an entry-level Civil Service examination, shall, if a passing grade on the written examination is attained, have ten (10) points added to his/her passing score. (NOTE: Not all Examinations consider residency credit in the scoring process) To substantiate a claim for residency points, Applicants must UPLOAD LEGIBLE COPIES of the following:

· A signed and notarized Residency Affidavit available on the City's website here:

CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (CMSD) PREFERENCE CREDIT

An applicant who is a graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and is participating in an open competitive entrance-level examination, as determined by the Commission, shall receive an additional five (5) points upon achieving a passing score, as established in the examination announcement. Applicants must provide acceptable proof of graduation from a CMSD school at the time of application in order to qualify for this credit.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Veterans' preference will be awarded, when applicable, to eligible veterans in accordance with Civil Service Rules 4.40E, 4.40F and 4.40G. Proof of active service or a DD Form 214, must be presented to the Commission at the time of filing application for the examination in which credit is sought in order to qualify for veterans' credit. If the applicant has received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions that applicant shall receive an additional five (5) points added to their raw score on the examination; or ten (10) points are added to their raw score on the examination if applicant's supporting documentation indicates more than fifteen percent (15%) service connected disability. NOTE: Only DD Form 214 (long form) or an official armed service document indicating type of discharge or separation and the dates of active service will be accepted as proof of active service.

Reminder: To determine if you qualify to take the examination you must include/attach any required documents (i.e. Resume, Certifications, Driver's License, etc…) to support you meet the Minimum Qualifications. Please read the Minimum Qualification section carefully, you may attach PDF or JPEG