City of Santa Monica
Animal Control Officer
SALARY
$36.12 - $44.59 Hourly
$2,889.23 - $3,567.23 Biweekly
$6,260.00 - $7,729.00 Monthly
$75,120.00 - $92,748.00 Annually
LOCATION
City of Santa Monica, CA
JOB TYPE
Full-Time Regular
JOB NUMBER
264008-02
DEPARTMENT
Police
DIVISION
Field Services
OPENING DATE
11/09/2026
CLOSING DATE
12/4/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
SALARY
$36.12 - $44.59 Hourly
$2,889.23 - $3,567.23 Biweekly
$6,260.00 - $7,729.00 Monthly
$75,120.00 - $92,748.00 Annually
LOCATION
City of Santa Monica, CA
JOB TYPE
Full-Time Regular
JOB NUMBER
264008-02
DEPARTMENT
Police
DIVISION
Field Services
OPENING DATE
11/09/2026
CLOSING DATE
12/4/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
Job Summary
Are you an animal lover with a passion for making a difference in your community? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as an Animal Control Officer!
As an Animal Control Officer, you'll be at the forefront of enforcing ordinances and laws related to animals, handling wild and vicious animals, and utilizing controlled substances to ensure the well-being of animals in our community. Your work will have a direct and meaningful impact on public safety and the welfare of animals, making a real difference in the lives of both humans and animals alike.
Join us in making a difference and protecting our community's animals. Apply now to become an Animal Control Officer with the City of Santa Monica!
Job Summary: Enforces ordinances and laws pertaining to animals and issues citations. Handles wild and vicious animals. Uses controlled substances to tranquilize, medicate, or euthanize animals. Maintains records, writes reports, investigates crimes against animals and performs computer data entry of license, medical and other information.
Representative Duties
Responds to calls and complaints involving animals throughout the city.
Patrols city to enforce animal control ordinances and laws. Investigates cases of animal abuse and neglect. Issues citations when necessary.
Checks and feeds animals housed at the Santa Monica animal shelter. Handles animals of various sizes and temperaments. Tranquilizes and medicates animals. Euthanizes and disposes of dead animals.
Maintains records of animal licenses, violation notices, crime reports, lost and found animals, and humane education.
Sells animals to the public. Coordinates the return of animals to their owners.
Processes and issues pet licenses and neuter vouchers.
Assesses sick or injured wildlife, stabilizes injuries and transports animals to rehabilitators.
Follows applicable safety rules and regulations.
Testifies in court, as required.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Requirements
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:
Knowledge of:
State, local laws and ordinances related to animals.
First aid for animals.
Methods and equipment used in handling various types of animals.
Animal behavior and how to care for animals.
Effective customer service techniques.
Effective supervisory techniques.
Ability to:
Handle calls, questions, and complaints related to animals in an appropriate manner.
Handle animals of all sizes and temperaments.
Climb, crawl, and lift heavy objects.
Apply first aid to animals.
Use controlled substances to tranquilize, medicate, or euthanize animals.
Maintain and repair animal traps, tools and equipment.
Make accurate calculations.
Recognize common animal diseases.
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public, co-workers and City staff.
Provide effective customer service.
Skill in:
Reading, writing, and communicating in English at an appropriate level.
Performing math calculations at an appropriate level.
Dealing effectively with coworkers and the general public.
Education Training and Experience:
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Completion of 30 semester units of college-level course work in Animal Veterinary Science, Zoology, Animal Management, Administration of Justice or related field.
One year of recent, paid experience working with animals. Recent, relevant work experience must include interacting with the public.
Additional recent, paid relevant work experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year for year basis. One year of the additional required work experience is equal to successful completion of 30 semester units.
Completion of an 80 hour course at the State Humane Association's Animal Control Officer Training Academy is highly desirable.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid Class C driver license. Ability to obtain a State Humane Academy certificate and PC 832 certificate weapons and training for tranquilizer gun within one year of date of hire.
Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must submit an online City application and required supplemental questions to be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process and should not be submitted.
NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college diploma/transcript. Applicants who indicated receipt of degree from a foreign institution must provide United States degree and credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcript. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Please attach a scanned copy of your college diploma or transcript to your online application. Failure to do so may result in your application being disqualified.
NOTE: Only permanent employees are eligible for a transfer. Employees submitting transfer applications must notify the recruitment analyst via email upon submission of their application.
SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding their qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Testing may consist of the following:
- Written Examination: 100%
NOTE: If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our employees are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces and diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for person with disabilities. Call (310) 45-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
EmployerCity of Santa Monica
Address
1685 Main Street, Room 101
P.O. Box 2200
Santa Monica, California, 90401
Phone 310-458-8697
Websitehttps://www.santamonica.gov/departments/human-resources
EmployerCity of Santa MonicaPhone 310-458-8697 Websitehttps://www.santamonica.gov/departments/human-resourcesAddress
1685 Main Street, Room 101
P.O. Box 2200
Santa Monica, California, 90401
Animal Control Officer Supplemental Questionnaire* QUESTION 1 Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?
Yes
No
- QUESTION 2 The Animal Services Officer requires possession of a valid Class C driver license.
Do you meet this requirement?
Yes
No
- QUESTION 3 The position of Animal Control Officer requires completion of 30 semester units of college-level coursework in Animal Veterinary Science, Zoology, Animal Management, Administration of Justice or related field.
Do you meet this requirement?
(Note: You must submit a copy of your college-level transcripts to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college-level coursework from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Please upload a copy of your college-level transcripts to your on-line application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.)
Yes
No
- QUESTION 4 The position of Animal Control Officer allows for recent related work experience to substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis (successful completion of 30 units is equal to one year of the additional required work experience).
Do you wish to utilize work experience to substitute for the educational requirement?
(Note: If YES, please ensure recent, related work experience is clearly stated on your application along with your specific job duties and dates of employment.)
Yes
No
-
QUESTION 5 Please describe in detail, your experience in handling and managing animals. Be specific to indicate what types of animals you have worked with and in what capacity. If you do not possess this experience, please indicate N/A.
-
QUESTION 6 Please describe your work experience working with the public. Be specific in indicating the name of your employer, dates of employment and the duties performed. If you do not possess this experience, please indicate N/A.
QUESTION 7 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION (PLEASE READ)
The following are the working conditions under which an Animal Control Officer may work:
a. Animal Control Officers may work a variety of shifts depending on the needs of the department;
b. Animal Control Officers may be required to work weekends;
c. Unless it is a scheduled day off, an Animal Control Officer works on holidays, and is paid according to their Memorandum of Understanding;
d. Animal Control Officers are often called upon to work overtime to complete a daily work priority or to provide coverage during personnel shortages;
e. Employment with the Police Department is subject to completion of a thorough background investigation. The preliminary paperwork is submitted to the Background Investigator following conditional offer of employment;
f. There is a twelve (12) month probationary period.
I have read the description provided above and understand that if I am selected for this position, these conditions will apply.
(please initial)
- Required Question