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Animal Control Officer Jobs in Rome, GA (NOW HIRING)

Animal Control Officer information

See Rome, GA salary details

$28.5K

$47.9K

$70.5K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in Rome, GA is $47,935.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $54,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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 job categories do people searching Animal Control Officer jobs in Rome, GA look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Control Officer jobs in Rome, GA are:

What cities near Rome, GA are hiring for Animal Control Officer jobs?

Cities near Rome, GA with the most Animal Control Officer job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in Rome, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,935 per year, or $23 per hour.

TELECOMMUNICATIOINS SUPERVISOR

Whitfield County, GA

Dalton, GA • On-site

Part-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : 911-EMA, 804 Professional Blvd, Dalton, GA 30720, GA
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 01729
Department: 911
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Description
PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION
The purpose of this classification is to supervise employees and operations on an assigned shift at the 911 Center.
*OPEN UNTIL FILLED*
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; requests in-service training for employees.
Receives emergency and non-emergency calls; prioritizes calls; processes and/or transmits public safety information into the computer and dispatches law enforcement officers, animal control, firefighters, medical personnel, or emergency personnel; assists subordinate personnel in handling unusual or complex situations.
Enters data into, and obtains data from, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) network and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) network, such as drivers license and automobile tag information; enters stolen, or removes found, vehicles and weapons in system; enters information on missing or found persons; confirms warrants for other jurisdictions through NCIC and GCIC.
Tracks officers, fire, and EMS personnel in the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system for twelve-hour shifts; tracks officers in high stress situations, such as car chases and shots fired incidents.
Assists callers in high stress situations, such as domestic violence, suicide, hostage calls, and when a loved one dies; gives CPR instructions to callers for patients who are in cardiac arrests; gives medical pre-arrival instruction to patients who are in need of medical assistance; communicates with caller on phone while logging radio traffic.
Monitors and ensures all communications equipment is functioning at all times; diagnoses problems to refer to proper repair technician; changes security camera and computer back-up tapes; changes phone and radio backup DVD.
Contacts outside agencies for law enforcement officers and fire personnel, such as the gas company, railroad, Police, wreckers, etc.
Prepares daily dispatch schedule for fire, law enforcement, and EMS personnel; prepares, reviews, and approves a variety of reports, records, computer printouts, and worksheets for compliance with policies, procedures and accuracy; helps conduct presentations before community, business, educational, and civic groups on topics related to 911 and safety education.
Attends and participates in staff meetings.
Operates a computer terminal, telephone, portable radio, facsimile machine, copier, paper shredder, DVD recorder, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Ensures cleaning list is completed during shift, including sweeping and vacuuming floor, taking out trash, wiping down all surfaces, dusting, cleaning restrooms and kitchen area, shredding documents, and emptying shredder.
Performs other related duties as required.
Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or GED; two years of experience in customer service; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain the following certifications: POST Registered or Certified in Communications, Emergency Medical Dispatch, GCIC/NCIC Operator, and CPR-First Aid.
Supplemental Information
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate and/or tabulate data. Includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to act as a first-line supervisor, including instructing, reviewing work, maintaining standards, and coordinating activities.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
Whitfield County, Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
FULL-TIME - Benefits package includes paid time off, retirement, and option to participate in 457 Plan. Health benefits are also included .
PART-TIME and/or TEMP/SEASONAL POSITIONS - The above listed benefits DO NOT apply.
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Whitfield County requires pre-employment drug-testing for all new and/or re-hired employees:
  • I understand and agree

02
How did you hear about this opportunity (position)?
  • Dalton or other local newspaper
  • Job search web engines: Indeed/Monster/Career Builder or ZipRecruiter
  • Carmike Cinema - movie advertising
  • From a County employee
  • Whitfield County Website
  • From a family member

03
Are you Bilingual (Spanish - English)? If the answer is "yes" please explain your level of proficiency: READ -WRITE - SPEAK -
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Were you referred by a current Whitfield County employee?**If the answer is "yes" please type the County employee's First Name, Last Name and Department.
Required Question