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Animal Control Officer Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at Minimum Qualifications Three years of full-time experience as an Animal Control/Services Officer; OR four years of full-time ...

Animal Care Specialist

Reno, NV · On-site

$15.25 - $20/hr

As a Companion Animal Specialist , you are the primary expert and advocate for the health, welfare, and proper care of companion animals and aquatic life within the Pet Care Center (PCC). You ensure ...

Animal Care Technician

Reno, NV · On-site

$13/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You'll learn animal behavior in order to provide a safe environment, including studying canine body language and learning how to make dogs comfortable in a kennel and playgroup environment.

Animal Care Technician

Reno, NV · On-site

$14.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You'll learn animal behavior in order to provide a safe environment, including studying canine body language and learning how to make dogs comfortable in a kennel and playgroup environment. After ...

Animal Care Technician

Reno, NV · On-site

$14.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You'll learn animal behavior in order to provide a safe environment, including studying canine body language and learning how to make dogs comfortable in a kennel and playgroup environment. After ...

Animal Care Technician

Reno, NV · On-site

$13/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You'll learn animal behavior in order to provide a safe environment, including studying canine body language and learning how to make dogs comfortable in a kennel and playgroup environment.

Animal Care Technician

Reno, NV · On-site

$14.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You'll learn animal behavior in order to provide a safe environment, including studying canine body language and learning how to make dogs comfortable in a kennel and playgroup environment. After ...

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Showing results 1-20

Animal Control Officer information

See Reno, NV salary details

$28.4K

$47.8K

$70.3K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in Reno, NV is $47,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,400.00 and $53,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal control officer?

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, local laws, and public safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma and specialized training or certification. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, incident reporting systems, and sometimes animal capture or tranquilizing tools is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills help build trust with the public and efficiently manage stressful situations. These competencies are crucial for ensuring community safety, humane animal treatment, and effective enforcement of animal-related regulations.

What are common challenges an animal control officer faces in the field?

Animal Control Officers often encounter challenging situations such as handling aggressive or frightened animals, dealing with emotionally charged interactions with pet owners, and responding to emergency calls at irregular hours. They must also navigate local laws and regulations while ensuring public safety and animal welfare. Strong communication skills, quick decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential for success in this role.

What does an animal control officer do?

As an animal control officer, your job duties include dealing with dangerous wildlife and capturing stray pets and abandoned animals. You may also work on the investigation of animal abuse cases. When on duty, you may patrol a community or wait for a dispatcher to deploy you to deal with an escaped pet, potentially dangerous wildlife, or stray animal. Your responsibilities also include providing care and treatment for injured animals, both wild and domestic. You may work “on call,” meaning that you may be called to provide service at any time of day or night.

What is an animal control officer?

Animal Control Officers are public safety professionals responsible for enforcing laws related to the care and control of animals. They investigate cases of animal cruelty, rescue animals in distress, and manage issues such as stray animals or dangerous pets. These officers often educate the community about responsible pet ownership and may work for local government agencies or animal shelters. Their role helps ensure the safety of both the public and animals in their community.

What is the difference between Animal Control Officer vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectAnimal Control OfficerAnimal Shelter Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, sometimes animal control certificationHigh school diploma, animal care training often preferred
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor and community settingsIndoor shelter facilities, animal care areas
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipalities, government agenciesAnimal shelters, rescue organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for animal handling and enforcement rolesCompared for animal care and shelter management roles

Animal Control Officers primarily handle wildlife and stray animals in the community, enforcing local laws, while Animal Shelter Workers focus on caring for animals within shelter facilities. Both roles require animal handling skills, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

How hard is it to get into animal control officer?

Becoming an animal control officer typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with training in animal handling and local regulations. Some positions may require certification or experience in animal care, and candidates often need to pass background checks and physical assessments. The difficulty varies depending on the region and specific agency requirements.

What skills are needed to be an animal control officer?

Animal control officers need strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with the public and handle animals safely. They should have knowledge of animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and often require physical fitness and the ability to operate equipment such as traps and vehicles. Certification in animal handling or related training is also beneficial for the role.

What are popular job titles related to Animal Control Officer jobs in Reno, NV?

For Animal Control Officer jobs in Reno, NV, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Control Officer jobs in Reno, NV look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Control Officer jobs in Reno, NV are:

What cities near Reno, NV are hiring for Animal Control Officer jobs?

Cities near Reno, NV with the most Animal Control Officer job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in Reno, NV as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,773 per year, or $23 per hour.

ANIMAL SERVICES FIELD SUPERVISOR

Washoe County

Reno, NV • On-site

$75K - $97K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Position Information Under general direction, provides direct supervision over Animal Services Officers and Animal Services Officer Lead; oversees and performs enforcement functions related to the care, control, licensing, impoundment and euthanasia of animals; and performs related work as required. This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill an anticipated full-time vacancy in the Washoe County Reginal Animal Services department. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

Scheduling information: Field operations run seven days a week, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Field Supervisors work nights, weekends and on-call shifts. Shifts are assigned through a shift bid system - for more information, please refer to the WCEA Supervisory Contract 2024-2028, Article 12 - Shift Differential/Shift Bidding (Labor Relations - Washoe County).

For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/Careers/jobspecs.php Minimum Qualifications Three years of full-time experience as an Animal Control/Services Officer; OR four years of full-time progressively responsible experience in the care and handling of animals in a professional work environment including interviewing the public, assessing information and making determinations; OR four years of active duty military experience OR four years of full-time experience in the enforcement of local, state or federal codes/laws; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience. License Or Certificate A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment for this classification. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid National Animal Care and Control Association ACO I and ACO II certification or equivalent is required within one year of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid certification as a euthanasia technician is required within one year of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment for this classification. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid pharmacy certificate/controlled substance license is required within one year of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment for this classification. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Training Instructor certification for Oleoresin Capsicum Spray, Pepperball Launcher, and ASP Baton required within one year of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment within this classification.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a certificate in chemical capture within one year of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment within this classification. The Ideal Candidate Will Possess strong knowledge of animal handling, care, and treatment from experience in a professional work environment; knowledge of a variety of animal species, breeds, and related behavior Exhibit strong critical thinking skills, good judgment, and sharp analytical skills Have the ability to manage conflict, de-escalate potentially hostile situations, and maintain composure and professionalism under stress Possess outstanding written and oral communication skills Be self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to rapidly changing conditions in the field Exhibit strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to interact tactfully and courteously with internal and external stakeholders including County staff and the general public Demonstrate the ability to take ownership of problems, identify practical solutions, and collaborate effectively with team members and partner agencies Show a genuine commitment to Washoe County's mission and organizational goals, with the ability to assimilate quickly into the organizational culture and contribute positively to the team Conditions of Employment The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Supervisory Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covers the Animal Services Field Supervisor position. Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation. Effective January 1, 2025, the $39.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment

Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work. Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.

What Happens Next 1. After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications.

Written appeals should be submitted via email to the assigned Human Resources Business Partner using the contact information listed on this job announcement. 2. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will receive an email invitation to take the Supervisory Level online exam administered remotely; notices will be delivered within 1 week from the closing of the recruitment.

This exam link will tentatively be delivered via email the week of August 17, 2026, and qualified candidates will have a time limit to complete the exam, within 4 calendar days. **You will be notified if you are eligible to transfer an exam score within 1 week following the closing date of the recruitment. The exam will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas: General Supervisory Concepts Performance Management Employee Relations Analytical Skills Communication Skills Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates.

Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived. Only those candidates who took the exam or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.

3. After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank.

This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy. 4. Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates.

If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available. 5. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and select: "Applications" to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment.

"Inbox" to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment "Account" to update your contact information. Please note to update your phone number on previously submitted applications you must contact careers@washoecounty.gov. If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process you can find additional information at the following link: https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/faq/online/index.php Questions: Jessica Gutierrez Jgutierrez@washoecounty.gov 775-328-2096 Veteran Point Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S

Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission. Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.

Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.