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Animal Control Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... animal control. We pay this full-time Wildlife Technician / Specialist position competitive wages, depending on your routes. Our team also enjoys amazing benefits, including a full benefits package ...

Wildlife Technician

Dayton, OH · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

... animal control. We pay this full-time Wildlife Technician / Specialist position competitive wages, depending on your routes. Our team also enjoys amazing benefits, including a full benefits package ...

Dispatcher

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$16.83/day

About the Role We are looking for a Call Center Specialist to join our team and play an important ... You will also connect our Animal Control Officers to the shelter and alert them of all calls. This ...

Wildlife Technician

Dayton, OH · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

... animal control. We pay this full-time Wildlife Technician / Specialist position competitive wages, depending on your routes. Our team also enjoys amazing benefits, including a full benefits package ...

Dispatcher

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$16.83/hr

About the Role We are looking for a Call Center Specialist to join our team and play an important ... You will also connect our Animal Control Officers to the shelter and alert them of all calls. This ...

Showing results 41-60

Animal Control Specialist information

See salary details

$21K

$40.1K

$60.5K

How much do animal control specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control specialist in the United States is $40,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $46,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectAnimal Control SpecialistAnimal Shelter Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, sometimes animal control certificationHigh school diploma, animal care training often preferred
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor, on-call situationsIndoor and outdoor shelter environment
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, government agenciesAnimal shelters, rescue organizations
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Animal Control Specialists focus on capturing and managing stray or dangerous animals in the community, often working outdoors and responding to calls. Animal Shelter Workers primarily care for animals within shelter facilities, handling daily animal care and adoption processes. While both roles involve animal handling, their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

What is an animal control specialist?

Animal Control Specialists are professionals responsible for enforcing animal-related laws, protecting the public from dangerous or stray animals, and ensuring the humane treatment of animals. They investigate reports of animal cruelty, capture and relocate stray or wild animals, and educate the community about responsible pet ownership. Animal Control Specialists often work for government agencies, animal shelters, or humane societies, and may also be involved in licensing and vaccination enforcement.

What are some common challenges faced by animal control specialists in the field?

Animal Control Specialists often encounter unpredictable situations, such as dealing with frightened, aggressive, or injured animals, which can present safety risks. They may also face emotionally challenging scenarios, like handling cases of neglect or euthanasia. Effective communication skills are essential, as specialists regularly interact with pet owners, law enforcement, and the public to educate and enforce local animal-related regulations. Working outdoors in varying weather conditions and being on call for emergencies are also common aspects of the job.

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

To thrive as an Animal Control Specialist, you need knowledge of animal behavior, public safety regulations, and relevant laws, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring animal handling experience or certification. Familiarity with animal restraint equipment, incident reporting systems, and sometimes specialized training such as chemical immobilization is often required. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and compassion are crucial soft skills for interacting with the public and handling stressful situations humanely. These skills ensure the safe, ethical management of animals while protecting public health and fostering positive community relations.
More about Animal Control Specialist jobs

What cities are hiring for Animal Control Specialist jobs?

Cities with the most Animal Control Specialist job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Control Specialist job openings in the United States 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 $40,102 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Animal Care Specialist - Front Desk

Montgomery County

Dayton, OH

$41K - $52K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Position Overview Ensures the health and safety of Montgomery County through extensive use of investigative, problem-solving, prevention, and mitigation strategies to keep pets and people together. Full performance level in clerical occupation under direction requiring independent analysis, exercise of judgment, and considerable detailed knowledge of assigned area's policies and procedures and varied and advanced functions of software specific to assigned area in order to perform specialized clerical duties (i.e., performs mathematical computations using software applications, cross references data and information and a variety of other procedures requiring absolute accuracy), requiring a high degree of skill in applying software functions to produce a wide range of documents that often require complex formats, edit and reformat electronic drafts, and update or revise existing databases or spreadsheets. Requires considerable knowledge of animal control regulations and dispatching operations; and correlating information concerning emergencies or unusual circumstances for the purpose of enforcing Ohio law regarding the control and licensing of dogs

Summary of Job Duties Performs job duties assigned: (1) assists with lost and found pets, fosters, and adoption, assists and/or completes paperwork, remains empathetic and non-judgmental in all interactions and uses de-escalation techniques and persuasive communication to assist finders and owners of dogs; (2) engages with our community, partners and stakeholders by gathering information, assessing the situation, and providing appropriate service(s), requires advanced familiarity with pet retention, rehoming, behavioral training, veterinary care and other resources to connect pets in need; (3) involves extensive use of judgement to make sound and safe decisions, requires advanced understanding and interpretation of animal body language and safe animal handling expertise; (4) in absence of Administrative Operations Supervisor: balances receipts daily using (calculator and/or computer type of software such as Microsoft Word); transfers and separates into appropriate revenue codes on pay-in sheet. Performs general clerical tasks, types routine (reports, memos, and letters to pet owners) and non-routine correspondence, schedules appointments and conference rooms, and prepares vouchers and invoices. Assists clients by obtaining key information regarding canine behavior, health, location a loose dog was found, dog identifiers, etc.

and ensures the same is documented in the appropriate animal management software; performs system searches and cross references information to assist investigations and/or connect pets home; computes daily, monthly, and annual statistics for Shelter activities using calculator or computer; retrieves sheltered animal reports from Animal Records Management System; sorts receipts daily numerically; sorts mail and distributes to various team members; assists and/or trains volunteers as needed. Answers multi-line phones and operates multiple-key phone system. Answers routine telephone inquiries from the public and/or forwards calls to appropriate staff.

Files documents (daily receipts, adoption records, cage counts, board of health records, euthanasia lists, etc.); requires functional knowledge of Ohio law and county-wide animal control ordinances governing the control, licensing, and humane treatment of animals; demonstrates working knowledge of animal restraint and animal care techniques and prepares for and attends court hearings as needed to give testimony in the prosecution of cases involving animal control. Duties for Functional Area Assignment: Dispatcher: Coordinates daily requests, inquiries, and complaint calls with Animal Care & Control Officers (ACCO's); Effectively prioritizes calls for service and assigns to ACCO's based upon a totality of circumstances (e.g., number of ACCO's, proximity, safety protocols, urgency, etc.); Operates computer terminal for record searches, telephone, and radio equipment to respond to incoming calls from citizens, personnel, and affiliated agency/business representatives concerning emergencies, routine service calls, requests for information, complaints, legal requirements, etc., and places calls and alerts staff of emergency situations. Completes forms and prepares reports of actions taken for purposes of documentation, legal requirements, statistical records, or as dictated by policy

Prepares/Releases citations and required licenses to persons found in violation of relevant laws concerning control and registration of dogs. Maintains various logs, records, reports, and other pertinent information. Processes outbound and incoming court forms and orders and initiates next steps as appropriate.

Front Desk: Greets visitors and coordinates daily requests, inquiries, and complaint calls; Effectively prioritizes requests based upon a totality of circumstances (e.g., number of team members on shift, safety protocols, urgency, etc.); Operates computer terminal for record searches, telephone, and radio equipment to coordinate with various team members and assist visitors and callers with adoptions, lost and found pet searches, clinic appointments, dog license and microchip services, pet resources, etc. Completes forms and prepares reports of actions taken for purposes of documentation, legal requirements, statistical records, or as dictated by policy. Maintains various logs, records, reports, and other pertinent information

Handles special projects as needed. Duties may cross functional areas. (Performs other duties as required) Minimum Qualifications and Requirements Equivalent to high school diploma, two (2) years clerical experience utilizing PC and advanced function software for spreadsheets and database management; or alternative, equivalent evidence of the Minimum Class Requirements.

Supplemental Information Must obtain and maintain a Notary Public license, and ASP Baton Certification within six (6) months of employment.