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Animal Control Officer Trainee Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Barrow County, GA

Animal Control Officer

Winder, GA · On-site

$49K - $79K/yr

Animal Control - Field Officer Opening Date: 07/07/2026 This position is responsible for the enforcement of local and state laws concerning the care and treatment of animals. This job is a safety ...

Hall County

Animal Control Officer

Gainesville, GA · On-site

$38K - $48K/yr

... Animal Control ordinances of the State, County and local municipalities. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Provide assistance as needed in the field to other officers/agencies. Investigates ...

City of Americus

Animal Control Officer

Americus, GA · On-site

$32K/yr

Description The purpose of this classification is to patrol the city for animal control purposes, respond to dispatched calls involving various animal situations, pick up and transport animals ...

City of Americus, GA

Animal Control Officer

Americus, GA · On-site

$26K/yr

Examples of Duties Enforces the provisions of all applicable animal control codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations. Patrols city ...

Forsyth County

Animal Services Officer I

Cumming, GA · On-site

$45K/yr

Responds to incoming calls from citizens concerning various animal control issues, such as stray ... Works closely with senior officers to gather information used to prosecute violators. Assist field ...

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Animal Control Officer Trainee information

What is an animal control officer trainee?

Animal Control Officer Trainees are entry-level professionals who learn how to enforce animal-related laws and regulations, respond to animal emergencies, and educate the public about responsible pet ownership. They work under the supervision of experienced officers to gain hands-on experience with animal handling, investigation, and safety procedures. Their training prepares them for a full Animal Control Officer role, where they will protect both the community and animals from harm or neglect.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an animal control officer trainee?

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer Trainee, you need a basic understanding of animal behavior, safety procedures, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal restraint tools, incident reporting systems, and sometimes completion of relevant training or certification programs is beneficial. Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills help in interacting with the public and handling stressful situations. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring public safety, humane animal treatment, and effective enforcement of animal regulations.

What are common challenges faced by animal control officer trainees during training?

Animal Control Officer Trainees often encounter challenges such as becoming comfortable handling a wide variety of animals, some of which may be aggressive or frightened. Trainees must quickly learn local animal control laws, safe capture techniques, and proper use of equipment. Additionally, adapting to emotionally charged situations, like dealing with distressed pet owners or cases of animal cruelty, can be demanding. However, trainees are typically supported by experienced officers and receive on-the-job training to help them build confidence and competence in the field.

What is the difference between Animal Control Officer Trainee vs Animal Control Officer?

AspectAnimal Control Officer TraineeAnimal Control Officer
Required CertificationsBasic animal handling and safety training, sometimes state-specific certificationsSame as trainee, plus experience and additional certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentSupervised, training-focused, fieldwork with animals and public interactionsIndependent fieldwork, enforcement, and animal rescue activities
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position in animal control departments, shelters, or municipal agenciesFull-time role with more responsibilities, often after completing trainee period

Animal Control Officer Trainee is an entry-level position designed to provide training and experience, while Animal Control Officer is a fully qualified role with greater responsibilities. Trainees typically work under supervision, gaining skills needed for the officer position. Both roles are essential in animal control services, with the trainee position serving as a stepping stone to becoming an officer.

What cities in Georgia are hiring for Animal Control Officer Trainee jobs?

Cities in Georgia with the most Animal Control Officer Trainee job openings:

Animal Control Officer Trainee jobs near you

Animal Control Officer I & II

Gwinnett County, GA

Lawrenceville, GA • On-site

$40K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Salary: $40,000.00 Annually
Location : Gwinnett County, GA
Job Type: Full-Time Merit
Job Number: 26-04016
Department: Department of Community Services
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 3:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Class Summary
Base Hiring Salary Range:
Animal Control Officer I - $38,098.00
Animal Control Officer II - $44,968.00
Job Description:
The Animal Control Officer I or II will be responsible for day-to-day activities associated with the enforcement of animal ordinances, training, and orientation to include both Kennel Operations and Enforcement Officer sections. The responsibilities for the position include monitoring and ensuring all animals are in good health, cages are disinfected and clean to ensure a disease-free living environment, as well as ensuring animals are properly fed, watered, and issued any required medication. The position will involve responding to citizen complaints of stray, vicious, sick, injured, or diseased animals, and working with local authorities. This role assists in investigations, including reported bite cases and domestic animal and livestock cruelty and abandonment. The incumbent will also be assisting in conducting rabies quarantine checks, as well as assisting in euthanizing animals, which includes decapitation and the preparation and transportation of specimens in some cases.
Animal Control Officer I: This is the first level of the animal control officer series. This is an entry-level classification where incumbents receive on the job training to become Animal Control Officers. Officers will be trained in and assigned to either the Kennel Operations section or Field Operations section of Animal Welfare and Enforcement. The Grade for this position is A12(3).
Animal Control Officer I Minimum Qualifications:
  • High School Diploma, or G.E.D.
    • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above
  • Valid Georgia Driver's License
  • Pre-exposure Rabies vaccine or current titer completed within 6 months of employment
  • Must be able to work rotating shifts, including weekend/holiday rotation, and "on call" status

Animal Control Officer I Essential Duties:
  • Assisting in the decapitation, preparation, and transportation of specimens to the state lab for testing
  • Assisting in euthanizing animals
  • Assisting with investigating cruelty and abandonment of domestic animals and livestock
  • Assisting with investigating reported bite cases
  • Maintaining logs on all diseases, medications, and treatments as required by state and federal regulations
  • Assisting field officers in unloading, checking in, and relocating animals in the shelter
  • Assisting with and maintaining various records on animals, up to and including processing intakes and adoptions, reviewing and the upkeeping of medical charts and records, keeping records on animals held for court cases
  • Working closely with senior officers to gather information used to prosecute violators
  • Assisting with intake activities on animals
  • Assisting the public with touring the shelter for lost or adoptable animals
  • Assisting in conducting rabies quarantine checks and verify quarantine requirements are met

Animal Control Officer II: This class is the second level in the Animal Control series. Officers will be assigned to either the Kennel Operations section or Field Operations section of Animal Welfare and Enforcement. Officers will be responsible for all of the daily job functions according to their area of assignment. The Grade for this position is B21(3).
Animal Control Officer II Minimum Qualifications:
  • High School Diploma, or G.E.D.
  • One year of animal control experience
    • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above
  • Valid Georgia Driver's License
  • Asp Baton Certificate
  • Basic Chemical Capture training
  • Crematory training
  • Euthanasia training
  • Defensive Driving Certificate
  • Current Rabies Titer
  • Must be able to work rotating shifts, including weekend/holiday rotation, and "on call" status

Animal Control Officer II Essential Duties (in addition to the Animal Control Officer I duties):
  • Responding to citizen's complaints of stray, vicious, sick, injured, or diseased animals
  • Working with local authorities on impound needs, issuing citations and providing courtroom testimony
  • Participating in other functions assigned to the euthanasia laboratory
  • Preparing daily records of euthanasia solution usage for the State Department of Agriculture
  • Providing informational tours to schools and various community groups
  • Ensuring inventory supplies are stocked and up to date

Other Job Requirements/Information (for both positions)
  • This job is a safety sensitive position that will require a pre-employment drug test and subsequent random drug and alcohol testing.
  • This job may require on-call rotation and emergency after hours, weekends, and/or holidays.

This job is a safety sensitive position that will require a pre-employment drug test and subsequent random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with Gwinnett County Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace.
For information related to position specific Essential Duties, Knowledge and Skills and Physical requirements, click here for Animal Control Officer orclick here for Animal Control Officer II.
NOTE: The class specifications listed on this site are not the official class specifications for Gwinnett County and are subject to change.
For more information about this department, please
Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities may be requested. If you need an accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, contact Human Resources at 770.822.7915 or HREmployeeRelations@GwinnettCounty.com. This email is only for accommodation requests; for questions related to job postings, use jobs@gwinnettcounty.com.
Our Benefits program is designed to support every aspect of our employees' lives, from physical and emotional to social and financial.
Along with their salary, employees receive a variety of comprehensive benefits as part of their total compensation.
On average, our employees' benefits are worth 48 percent of their base salary!
In other words, employees would spend nearly half of their pay to purchase these benefits on their own. For employees' medical premium alone, the County contributes an average of 91 percent of the cost!
Health
  • Medical plans for active and retired employees
  • Dental and vision plans
  • Prescription drug plan

Wellness
  • Onsite Employee Wellness Center
  • 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Immunizations
  • Wellness education and incentive programs
  • Annual wellness fair

Family and Career
  • Training and professional development opportunities
  • Family planning benefits
  • Four weeks of paid parental leave

Time
  • Annual/Sick Leave
  • 12 paid holidays per calendar year
  • 1 paid floating holiday per calendar year

Money
  • Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) available
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) available
  • Retirement and Savings Plans
  • 401(a) Defined Contribution
  • 457 (b) Deferred Compensation
  • Longevity pay
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Financial education programs

Protection
  • Basic, optional, and dependent life insurance
  • Short-term and long-term disability
  • Critical illness and accident insurance
  • Hospital indemnity insurance
  • Identity theft protection

To learn more about the Benefits offered at Gwinnett County, click here.
01
How many years of animal control or animal welfare experience do you have?
  • none
  • less than 1 year
  • 1 year to less than 2 years
  • 2 years to less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 4 years
  • 4 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years to less than 6 years
  • 6 years to less than 7 years
  • 7 years to less than 8 years
  • 8 years to less than 9 years
  • 9 years to less than 10 years
  • 10 or more years

02
Describe your animal control or animal welfare experience. If none, type N/A.
03
Do you have specialized or technical training in animal welfare or animal shelter/kennel operations?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Describe your specialized or technical training in animal welfare or animal shelter/kennel operations. If none, type N/A.
05
Have you completed training or have a current certificate in any of the following areas? Please check all that apply. If none, select none.
  • Euthanasia Training
  • Asp Baton Training
  • Crematory Training
  • Defensive Driving Certification
  • Basic Chemical Training
  • None

06
Do you have a pre-exposure to rabies vaccination or a current titer?
  • Yes
  • No

07
Do you have specific experience in any of the following areas? Please check all that apply. If none, select none.
  • Animal Training
  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Bite
  • Animal Adoption
  • Animal Cruelty
  • None

Required Question

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