Animal Control Jobs in Federal Way, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $108,325.44 - $162,488.16 Annually
Location : Seattle Animal Shelter, 15th Avenue West, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00984
Department: Finance and Administrative Services
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 8/18/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
The City of Seattle is seeking a Field Services Manager to lead the animal control team for the Seattle Animal Shelter.
The Field Services Manager plays a pivotal role in overseeing the City's animal control services and ensuring responsive, community-centered enforcement of animal control ordinances and related laws and regulations. The position leads a cohesive team of 16 animal control officers and a supervisor who supports public safety, responsible pet ownership and humane and ethical treatment of animals in Seattle.
The ideal candidate isa strategic and collaborative leader with extensive experience in animal services within multifaceted government agencies or jurisdictions. They are committed to animal welfare and equitable, community-centered practices.
ABOUT US
The (SAS) is a nationally recognized animal welfare organization that promotes public safety and animal welfare and protects animals from cruelty and neglect in the City of Seattle. SAS runs animal sheltering and adoption programs to reunite lost animals with their owners and places animals in forever homes. SAS hosts a spay and neuter clinic providing low-cost services and manages pet licensing for City residents. And SAS' animal control field services staff enforce Seattle's laws regarding animals, helping keep animals and people safe.
FAS is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.
The 500-plus employees of FAS span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities-including police and fire stations-overseeing the City's neighborhood customer service centers and Customer Service Bureau and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. No matter the need, FAS is here-at your service.
Job Responsibilities
Oversee the field services unit; providing leadership and technical expertise. Ensure effective coverage and response to community calls and concerns, compliance with relevant laws and effective coordination with both internal and external partners.

• Ensure unit staff receive appropriate training and certifications as needed.
• Ensure unit staff are transporting and handling animals in a humane and safe manner.
• Responsible for overall enforcement of animal control laws and ordinances, including investigations, issuing citations, documenting evidence and working with prosecution attorneys.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement, regulatory boards, and other external partners to ensure effective and appropriate enforcement of animal related laws.
• Coordinate with veterinary, animal care and other internal units as needed to ensure effective and efficient coordination and collaboration of duties.
• Ensure unit related equipment including vehicles meet safety, legal and other established standards.
• Maintain accurate records of intakes, case management, and other unit relevant information.
• Maintain budgets, supplies, and inventory for unit operations.
• Lead community outreach and education programs related to unit operations.
• Respond to public inquiries, complaints and other requests for information.
• Maintain unit statistics and prepare analysis, reports and updates as scheduled and/or requested.
• Promote a caring attitude toward all animals and treat animals humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances, including those that are sick, injured, feral, or aggressive.
• Promote compassionate, fair, and non-judgmental enforcement and investigation practices, ensuring all individuals are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.
• Support and participate in departmental response to disaster and emergency events.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in animal science, animal behavior, or related field (or equivalent experience, 2 years' experience is equivalent to bachelor's degree), AND
• Five (5) years' experience in animal control, AND

• Two (2) years' experience in a supervisory or lead role, preferably in animal control.

(Or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.)
License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Valid Washington State driver's license and ability to operate shelter vehicles.

The most successful candidates will possess the following:

• Previous experience managing a field services team
• Experience using PetPoint and proficiency with MS 360 programs
• Experience working at a municipal shelter
• Experience managing represented staff

• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Extensive knowledge of state and local animal control laws and regulations
• Bilingual abilities to help support a diverse, multi-lingual customer base

Work Environment
This position requires onsite work.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
This position works five days per week, Monday through Friday, and is onsite at the Seattle Animal Shelter. The office space is shared with the Field Services Supervisor. Evening, weekend and holiday work may be required depending on business needs.
Additional Information
This position is classified as a Manager 1, General Government. The full salary range for this job classification is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour. This position is FLSA exempt (not eligible for overtime) and is Civil Service represented.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date.

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Pre-Employment Physical: Successful candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam.
Driving Record: A current, "FULL" driving abstract from the Department of Licensing is required to be submitted upon offer of employment. Candidates with driving history that does not meet our current safety standards will be disqualified from consideration. Current City of Seattle Employees in a driving position may be required to submit an updated abstract.
Special Commission Eligibility
Employment is contingent on completing and passing the ESoph electronic background investigation process administered by the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Animal Control staff are granted a Special Police Commission if they are determined to meet minimum SPD standards and must maintain the commission through an annual review process. For more information on SPD background eligibility requirements go to:
Please note that the SPD background check requires completing an extensive personal questionnaire and involves detailed review of work history and legal and financial records. It may also include interviews with former and current coworkers, friends and family members and the candidate. Inability to pass the SPD background check and obtain a Special Police Commission will result in withdrawal of offer or termination, if already employed. SPD background results are not subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act and candidates will not be given insight as to what disqualified them from consideration.
Why work at the City of Seattle?
The recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
Who May Apply: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at Finance and Administrative Services, please send an email to Chantelle.Aguilar@seattle.gov. FAS promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.
CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION:
Many important notifications including interview or test invitations, result notices, and status updates will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add to your email address book and to the list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Candidates can also check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing their profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is the applicant's responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
02
Do you have experience working in an animal shelter?

• Yes
• No

03
If you answered "yes" to #2, please describe.
04
Which of the following best describes your years of experience supervising staff?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

05
Which of the following best describes your years of professional experience working in the field of Animal Control, including investigation and report writing and participating in the court process as an Animal Control Officer?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years but less than 7 years
• 7 years or more

06
After reading the information about obtaining a Special Police Commission I feel I will be able to acquire and maintain the commission.

• Yes
• No

07
Do you currently have, or will you be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid WA State Driver's License?

• Yes, I currently have a valid WA State Driver's License.
• No, but I will be able to obtain one by the time of hire.
• No, I don't have one and I will not be able to obtain one by the time of hire.

08
Do you speak any additional languages? Please write "N/A" if not. If yes, please describe.
Required Question