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Animal Control Officer Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Petco

Animal Care Specialist

Batavia, NY

$14.50 - $19/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 ...

New

Lollypop Farm

Medical Director

Fairport, NY · On-site

$170K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the COO and operations teams to expand access to veterinary care programs for the ... Commitment to animal welfare and understanding of shelter medicine and population health. Skilled ...

All JobsAnimal Control Officer JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Animal Control Officer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$28.1K

$47.3K

$69.6K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in Rochester, NY is $47,296.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $53,300.00 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.
More about Animal Control Officer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Animal Control Officer jobs in Rochester, NY? For Animal Control Officer jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Control Officer jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Control Officer jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Animal Control Officer jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Animal Control Officer job openings:
Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,296 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Animal Control Officer Trainee / Animal Control Officer

City of Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY • On-site

$49K - $52K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

City Of Rochester (New York) rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

145th of 844 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Salary: $49,141.00 - $52,421.00 Annually
Location : Rochester, NY
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26DM410DRA18
Department: Department of Recreation & Human Services
Bureau: Commissioner' Office
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description
This employee performs duties in the capture, admission, and care of animals as well as community outreach and the enforcement of City ordinances governing animals in the City of Rochester. Supervision is received from higher-level Animal Services personnel and the Assistant Director for Animal Control. Related duties are performed as required. *Most of the work involves dogs but also includes other domestic animals and wildlife*
Under the NY HELPS Program, the Civil Service Exam for this title has been waived. For additional information regarding the NY HELPS Program, please visit:
Typical Work Activities
  • Responds to calls for service involving stray, injured, or threatening animals (mostly canines but includes other domestic animals and wildlife);
  • Captures and transports animals to the animal shelter for care and treatment;
  • Safely operates a vehicle to transport animals, pick up and deliver supplies, and conduct community outreach;
  • Assists the public with animal-related concerns;
  • Issues citations and warnings to animal owners in violation of City ordinances;
  • Investigates constituent complaints of animal-related incidents and activity;
  • Refers suspected animal cruelty or neglect situations to appropriate personnel;
  • Shares information with pet owners to support the appropriate care and maintenance of their pets;
  • Writes routine reports and completes written and electronic forms, working within the records management database;
  • Administers vaccines and treatments upon intake;
  • Assists with euthanasia of animals, as needed;
  • Patrols city neighborhoods to enforce City animal ordinances and perform proactive outreach and pet owner assistance;
  • Collaborates with sworn City personnel when requested;
  • Assists in the development of new Animal Control Officers;
  • Maintains interior and exterior of the facility for the safety of employees and the public as requested by supervisory personnel;
  • Attends training deemed necessary by management;
  • Testifies in court, as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Animal Control Officer Trainee:High School Diploma or Equivalent, PLUS six (6) months of work experience (full-time or part-time equivalent) which involved the care, treatment, handling, or transport of animals.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Possession of a valid New York State Class D driver's license at the time of appointment;
  • Possession of a valid National Animal Control Association I (NACA I) certification within one (1) year of appointment;
  • Possession of a valid Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator permit, issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, within one (1) year of appointment;
  • All licenses and certificates must be maintained throughout employment in this position.

Animal Control Officer:
High School Diploma or Equivalent, PLUS one (1) year of work experience (full-time or part-time equivalent) which involved the care, treatment, handling, or transport of animals.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Possession of a valid New York State Class D driver's license at the time of appointment;
  • Possession of a valid National Animal Control Association I (NACA I) certification at the time of appointment;
  • Possession of a valid National Animal Control Association II (NACA II) certification within two (2) years of appointment;
  • Possession of a valid Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator permit, issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, within six (6) months of appointment;
  • All licenses and certificates must be maintained throughout employment in this position.

* Candidates who do not possess a NACA I certification or have less than one year of experience must begin as an Animal Control Officer Trainee*
For full-time employees:
The City of Rochester offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
For less-than full-time employees:
The City of Rochester offers numerous growth opportunities to include the potential to transition into full-time, permanent employment.

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