Animal Control Director Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $41.75 - $52.92 Hourly
Location : Regional Animal Services King County - 21615 64th Ave S, Kent, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026KC27038
Department: DES - Executive Services
Division: RALS - Records & Licensing Svc
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: P1 : ACOG-Animal Control-DES (RALS)
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has an exciting opportunity for an Animal Control Sergeant! We are looking for someone who takes great interest in the health and wellbeing of animals and is interested in leading a team dedicated to maintaining and operating at the highest level of quality and standards for animal control operations. The Animal Control Sergeant will report to the Animal Control Captain.
ABOUT REGIONAL ANIMAL SERVICES OF KING COUNTY (RASKC):
RASKC provides animal services to 24 cities and unincorporated King County, this includes: rescuing stray, injured, neglected or abused pets; reuniting orphaned pets with families and/or helping them find forever homes through RASKC's pet adoption center in Kent, including several other partner locations; providing pet licensing services; a wide array of volunteering opportunities and much more. King County is a national leader in improving animal outcomes as a municipal shelter, using data and model practices to achieve 90% or above live release rate.
ABOUT RECORDS & LICENSING SERVICES (RALS)
The Records and Licensing Services Division (RALS) is a division of the
RALS operates within a statutory framework that is prescribed by state law and county code. Many of the services administered by the division are mandated by state law, and are provided in King County on a regional basis across jurisdictional boundaries. RALS also provides certain local services to unincorporated King County and by contract with many local municipalities throughout King County. In addition, RALS is responsible for providing internal services that are necessary for purposes of business efficiency and meeting various legal responsibilities.
RALS is responsible for:

• Recording documents related to real property sales and other transactions and making them accessible for members of the public, businesses, and other government agencies
• Collecting and dispersing real estate excise tax payments on the conveyance of real property in King County
• Providing licensing and information services and promoting public safety by administering and enforcing vehicle and vessel licensing and taxi and transportation network company (TNC) regulations
• Providing internal mail services and physical and electronic records management services to all county agencies
• Providing animal care and control services for the protection of property, human health, and safety and promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare through education and licensing programs via public and private sector partnerships

RALS is committed to service excellence and building an enduring legacy through continuous improvement. RALS uses Lean practices to improve our operations, programs, public and internal services, and employee safety. We accomplish this through an equity lens, creating a learning environment, and employee engagement.
To learn more about RALS, please visit our website at:
Job Duties
SCOPE OF JOB DUTIES: To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum demonstrate skill and ability to:

• Supervise a team of Animal Control Officers.
• Mediate and resolve complaints from citizens.
• Work collaboratively as a member of multi-disciplinary teams in responding to emergencies.
• Coordinate and respond to high-profile, complex complaints concerning impounds, policies, procedures, local ordinances and laws of Washington State and King County
• Conduct investigations including those involving animal cruelty and requiring preparation and execution of search warrants.
• Present civil cases before Hearing Examiner and testify in court as needed.
• Prepare affidavits for search warrants.
• Provide accurate reports in a timely manner.
• Perform as an Animal Control Officer or as an Animal Shelter Administrator as needed.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO:

• Are great people leaders who can demonstrate they have the experience to direct, work, coach and supervise a diverse staff.
• Demonstrate a balance of leadership, sound judgment, accountability, officer safety, and emotional intelligence
• Understand state laws, criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, search and seizure, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• Exercise safety principles, practices and procedures associated with animal handling and restraint of a variety of animals, including those which may be ill, injured, aggressive or difficult to control.
• Has knowledge of domestic animal diseases and disease control.
• Can hold staff accountable consistently and fairly.
• Is able to build trust and credibility with the team.
• Can understand risk to officers, public safety, animals, and organizational liability.
• Works effectively under pressure and react quickly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Communicates well with staff, volunteers, the public and partner agencies.
• Support a service-oriented culture focused on supporting people and pets, while maintaining accountability.
• Are proficient in using computers, email, and office software in daily work (The County uses Microsoft Office including Outlook, Teams, Word).
• Are familiar with Chameleon software, is a plus.

Supplemental Information
SUPPLLEMENTAL NFORMATION

• Must pass a pre-employment physical including the ability to perform moderate to difficult strenuous manual tasks including lifting animals weighing up to sixty (60) pounds on a frequent basis.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Have or be able to obtain a Euthanasia Drug Certification.
• Have or are able to obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License at the time of hire.
• Must be able to work mandatory overtime, evenings, and holidays including on-call availability.
• This position is represented by Animal Control Officer Guild (ACOG).

Are you ready to APPLY?
The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified candidates. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter.
This recruitment is an effort to fill our immediate vacancies as well as create a hire list that will be used for any positions that become vacant within the next 6 months, including additional Term Limited Temporary (TLT) and Career Service (CS) positions.
If you have any questions, please contact Karina Cordova, HR Analyst, by e-mail at or 206-848-0395.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Priority Placement Program Participant who is a current or previous King County Employee impacted by layoff? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

02
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
Required Question