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Animal Control Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

Showing results 41-60

Animal Control information

See Virginia salary details

$20.8K

$39.8K

$60K

How much do animal control jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control in Virginia is $39,758.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,700.00 and $46,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal control officer?

Animal control officers are professionals responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to the care and control of animals in a community. Their duties include responding to reports of stray or dangerous animals, investigating cases of animal cruelty or neglect, capturing and relocating wildlife, and educating the public about responsible pet ownership. They also work closely with local shelters and may assist in the adoption process for stray or abandoned animals. Animal control officers play a vital role in protecting both animals and the public from harm.

What does an animal control officer do?

Animal control jobs focus on ensuring public safety and protecting animals. In this role, you may patrol your community, investigate reports of hurt or dangerous animals, and rescue pets from mistreatment. Your responsibilities also include supporting the safety of personnel, writing reports, and issuing citations as necessary. In some positions, your duties may involve supporting public awareness efforts. For example, if people need to abandon a pet because they are no longer able to take care of it, animal control officers can help them find a shelter or an adopting family. Animal control officers work with a variety of animals, some of which are dangerous, so the ability to handle a wide range of creatures is essential.

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

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer, you need knowledge of animal behavior, safety protocols, and relevant local regulations, typically supported by a high school diploma and specialized training or certification. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, incident reporting systems, and sometimes law enforcement databases is important. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills help when interacting with the public and de-escalating tense situations. These competencies ensure public safety, humane treatment of animals, and effective enforcement of animal-related laws.

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

Animal control officers often encounter unpredictable situations, such as handling aggressive or frightened animals and addressing emotionally charged interactions with pet owners. They must also navigate varying local laws and regulations, ensuring proper documentation and evidence collection for potential legal cases. Additionally, officers may be required to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends, to respond to emergencies or public safety concerns. Building strong communication skills and resilience is essential to manage these challenges effectively.

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

AspectAnimal ControlAnimal Shelter Worker
CertificationsAnimal Control Officer Certification, sometimes requiredBasic animal handling and shelter management training
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor, community-basedIndoor shelter facilities, community interaction
Employer & IndustryMunicipal agencies, animal control departmentsAnimal shelters, rescue organizations
Job FocusEnforcing animal laws, capturing stray animalsCaring for animals, adoption services

Animal Control officers primarily enforce laws and capture stray or dangerous animals in the community, often working outdoors. Animal Shelter Workers focus on caring for animals within shelter facilities, preparing them for adoption. While both roles involve animal handling, their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

Is it hard to be an animal control officer?

Animal control officers often face physically demanding work, including handling aggressive animals and working outdoors in various weather conditions. The job requires good communication skills, knowledge of animal behavior, and sometimes certification or training in animal handling and safety protocols.

What do I need to work for animal control?

To work in animal control, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some positions require a valid driver's license. Relevant skills include animal handling, communication, and sometimes certification in animal care or safety; physical fitness is also important due to the nature of the work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Control jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Animal Control jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Animal Control jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Animal Control job openings:

Infographic showing various Animal Control job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,758 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Animal Health Technician (Animal Identification Coordinator)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA • On-site

$55K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


USDA Forest Service rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

159th of 292 rated public sector bodies


Job description

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the animal identification program within an assigned geographic territory.
One vacancy is available in either Colorado or Wyoming. Additionally, there is one vacancy available in each of the other states listed in the announcement.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Gathers information from individuals or organizations that owned or handled animals prior to the animals being identified as a reactor and traces the movement of the animals back to the herd of origin using the animal identification program.
  • Reviews inventory of supplies and equipment used in animal identification programs to ensure sufficient inventory for effective program operations.
  • Monitors all activities in support of the animal identification program (i.e., ear tags, vaccination tags, bangle tags, reactor tags, back tags, etc.).
  • Works with officials and employees in the livestock industry, other Federal Agencies, State diagnostic laboratories and other interested persons to explain the requirements of the animal identification program.
  • Reviews forms, health certificates, herd record and laboratory reports from Food Safety and Inspection Service or contractors for completeness and accuracy of program identification procedures.
OR Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher level graduate level education leading to such a degree obtained from an accredited college or university. Qualifying graduate courses include: agribusiness, agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-08 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education:Please see above for education qualification requirement information.Employment Type: OTHER

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