Animal Services Officer

Salary : $54,219.88 - $69,199.84 Annually
Location : Upland Animal Shelter - 1275 San Bernardino Road, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2629
Department: Human Resources/Risk Management
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 6:00 PM Pacific


JOIN #TEAMUPLAND
City of Upland is seeking a dedicated and service-oriented professional who is passionate about animal welfare, public safety, and serving the community. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by protecting both residents and animals through education, enforcement, and compassionate care.
The ideal candidate is calm under pressure, exercises sound judgment, and communicates effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. They are comfortable working independently in the field, handling sensitive situations with professionalism, and treating animals with compassion and respect.
The best candidate will possess strong customer service and conflict resolution skills, the ability to safely handle domestic and wild animals, and a thorough understanding of applicable laws and regulations. They will be dependable, adaptable, physically capable of performing field duties, and committed to providing exceptional public service while promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.
Experience the rewards of your hard work-comprehensive benefits, including upcoming COLAs, that support your well-being, growth, and success!

3% increase in base effective 6/20/27
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Conducts field patrols and enforces state laws and regulations and local ordinances regarding stray, dangerous, domestic, and wild animals, and other nuisance complaints; investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild, or diseased animals.
• Evaluates animal bites; arranges for proper identification and quarantining of animals; approves and monitors home quarantine of biting animals.
• Explains laws and regulations to the public relating to the care and control of animals, filing of complaints, and the operations and responsibilities of the animal shelter.
• Issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; testifies in court regarding citations, actions taken, and the disposition of complaints.
• Patrols assigned areas in City vehicles; captures wild, stray, and unlicensed animals for impounding; removes dead animals from public and private property; transports injured animals.
• Uses humane traps, snares, animal control tools, and monitoring devices.
• Identifies symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary medical care, isolation, or euthanasia.
• Releases impounded animals to owners; euthanizes ill, injured, unwanted or aged animals, participates in the care and feeding of animals.
• Assists other agencies and City departments by responding to animal control claims and inquiries.
• Advises, counsels, and instructs others regarding common animal behaviors and safe care and handling procedures.
• Prepares field reports and maintains activity records; collects licensing and user fees when providing customer counter support.
• Provides guidance to temporary work release and volunteer staff, as assigned.
• Complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:

• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic and common wild animals.
• Symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
• Behavior and handling of common domestic and wild animals.
• Methods and equipment used in the care and handling of common domestic and wild animals.
• Basic mathematics.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Handle, capture, and control animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency conditions.
• Assess animal behavior and make effective decisions regarding handling, capturing or destroying the animal.
• Identify symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies, distemper, parvo, upper respiratory infections, parasites and other common domestic and wild animal diseases.
• Operate and maintain a wide variety of animal control tools and equipment.
• Safely operate assigned vehicles.
• Learn the street layout and topography of the City of Upland.
• Administer euthanasia by lethal injection in a humane and gentle manner.
• Effectively respond to calls for services.
• Interact effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Interpret, explain, apply, and enforce laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to animal control.
• Recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior.
• Handle potentially dangerous animals in a safe and efficient manner.
• Access, retrieve, enter, and update information using a computer terminal.
• Understand, explain, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Estimate necessary materials and equipment to complete assignments.
• Read and interpret laws, regulations, manuals, and other materials.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle, to inspect various City and residential sites, and to walk on uneven terrain; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a field classification with frequent standing in work areas and walking between work areas required. Wrist flexion and lateral rotation are necessary in combination with grasping to handle a snare and leash. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Positions in this classification occasionally lift, move, and carry animals that typically weigh up to 100 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Employees primarily work outside in variable weather conditions and under exposure to potentially infectious diseases and hazardous physical substances. May involve exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals. This position will be around animals known to cause allergies. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Examination Process :

A competitive review of applicants' experience and qualifications will be conducted. Based on that evaluation, a limited number of applicants whose qualifications best meet the current needs of the City of Upland will be invited to participate in the next step of the examination process. The examination will include a qualifications appraisal interview. Qualified candidates will be provided with more details prior to the start of the examination process.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
To view benefits for this position, please click HERE
01


The following supplemental questions will be used in order to screen your application for the minimum requirements. You are required to answer each of the following questions truthfully and completely. Failure to provide accurate and direct responses to each of the listed questions may result in the disqualification of your application. Do you agree to answer the following questions truthfully and completely AND understand that falsification or overstatement of your qualifications is grounds for disqualification of your application?

• Yes
• No

02


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Graduation from High School or GED equivalent
• Associate's degree or equivalent
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• None of the above / Did not graduate

03


How many years of experience do you have in the care and handling of animals?

• I do not possess any relevant experience.
• Less than 3 years of relevant experience.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience.
• more than 5 years of relevant experience.

04


Do you currently have a valid Class C California driver's license, an acceptable driving record and evidence of insurability?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have certification per California Penal Code Section 832?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered "no" to the previous question, are you able to obtain certification per California Penal Code Section 832 within six months from date of hire?

• Yes
• No

07


I certify that I understand I must successfully pass a complete, comprehensive background investigation, including but not limited to fingerprinting, drug screening, pre-employment medical examination, polygraph examination, and reference checks, prior to employment.

• Yes
• No

08


I certify that I understand that incumbents assigned to this position may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Yes
• No

09



Applicant Acknowledgement - Application Complete: Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and supplemental questionnaire. Please be sure to review all information provided prior to submitting it as you cannot update or revise it once submitted. Your submitted application will be reviewed and evaluated as is. Please do not refer to a resume or other documentation in lieu of completing the employment history section or responding to the supplemental questions; they will not be reviewed or considered.Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email confirmation will be sent to the email address listed on your application. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.

• I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and understand that I will not be able to update or revise any part of it once submitted.

Required Question