Animal Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $44,062.00 - $48,468.00 Annually
Location : Hampton Police Department, Hampton, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 09346
Department: ANIMAL CONTROL
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Function
"Join the City of Hampton team! As a proud V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer and a designated Military Spouse-Friendly Employer, we are committed to supporting veterans and military spouses. We offer a welcoming and inclusive workplace, recognizing the unique skills and experiences that military families bring."
Are you committed to public service, professionalism, and a peaceful community? Make a real difference to the people in your community, immediately. If you possess integrity, and strong communication skills, you can make a difference with the Hampton Police Division.
The City of Hampton is seeking an Animal Response Team Officer to protect and serve the public by enforcing State laws and local ordinances for the control, care, and protection of domestic and wild animals. The class works under the general supervision of the Animal Control Manager according to set procedures.
*Posted salary effective as of July 1 2026.
Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED.
• One year of full-time equivalent experience involving frequent customer, client, or other public contact preferred.
• Prior experience in animal handling as a veterinarian assistant, kennel attendant, or animal control officer is preferred.
• Specialized courses/training, equivalent to completion of one year of college, with major emphasis in wildlife management, biology, animal husbandry or a closely related field preferred.
• Successful completion of State-mandated basic training for Animal Control Officer within 180 days of employment.
• Must pass a full criminal background check to include an FBI fingerprint check, a check of the National Sex Offender Registry Website, a polygraph, and psychological testing.
• This position is safety sensitive and is subject to testing for alcohol and controlled substances in accordance with the City's current substance abuse policy.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton's criteria.

Additional Requirements

• Requires considerable public contact and considerable travel within the City.
• Requires shift work to include nights, weekends, holidays and on call emergency standby on rotating basis.
• Must be able to maintain the ability to provide credible testimony in court, to the magistrate and in other situations where credibility will be of importance. A sustained finding of untruthfulness at the conclusion of an internal investigation may result in immediate termination.
• The incumbent will be considered "essential personnel" during City emergency situations or at the direction of the City Manager or designee which may include long hours and unusual schedules. Must be able to maintain the ability to provide credible testimony in court, to the magistrate and in other situations where credibility will be of importance.

Click here for a complete job description.
Benefits Overview
This is a summary of benefits associated with permanent, full-time positions. Benefits associated with other positions can be found with specific job listings. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following one full calendar month of employment in the following benefit plans:

• Sentara Health Plans
• EAP Provider: ComPsych
• OptumRx
• Delta Dental Insurance
• Anthem Blue View Vision
• FSA Reimbursement accounts

• Standard: Accident and Critical Illness
• Chubb Term Life Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Mission Square: 457 / Roth IRS / Roth 457 (b) IRA

• Employees begin accruing annual and sick leave immediately.
• Other forms of leave include:
  • Maternity Leave
  • Parental Bonding Leave
  • Care for Sick Parent Leave
  • Birthday Leave
  • Personal day (available every quarter)

The eleven paid holidays each year include:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Employee's birthday
• The retirement plan is offered through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS1-888-827-3847) and is a defined benefit pension plan. For more information, see the VRS website.
• Group life insurance is offered through the VRS and the carrier is Securian Financial.
• Mission Square Retirement plans 457, Roth IRA, Roth 457 plans are offered through Mission Square Retirement(1-800-669-7400). For more information, visit
• Medical / Dental and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts are offered on a pre-tax basis in order to reduce the amount of tax the employee pays.
• Direct deposit into most banks is a convenient finance feature.
• Employees are covered for Workers' Compensation where appropriate.
• Training and Career Development: The Employee Education Assistance Program (EEAP) encourages employee development through (1) educational programs leading to a degree, (2) skilled craft or trade training leading to a certificate or license and (3) coursework to renew and update skills. Eligibility criteria apply. In addition, the City offers training opportunities in technological, leadership, supervisory, and other areas of government/business knowledge and skill development.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is confidential and personal counseling service for the employee and their immediate family contact CompPysch at 1-877-327-2872 or see

01
Do you have a High School diploma or successful completion of a GED?

• Yes
• No

02
Which of the following options below best describes your years of experience involving frequent customer, client, or other public contact.

• None
• Less than 1 year of experience
• One to two years
• Three to four years
• Five or more years

03
Do you have prior experience in animal handling as a veterinarian assistant, kennel attendant, or animal control officer If yes, please describe how you obtained this knowledge in the body of your application.

• Yes
• No

04
Please explain any experience you have caring for or dealing with wild or domestic animals.
05
Have you completed any specialized courses/training, equivalent to completion of one year of college, with major emphasis in wildlife management, biology, animal husbandry or a closely related field? If yes please ensure that this is reflected in your application.

• Yes
• No

06
I understand that I must successfully complete State-mandated basic training for an Animal Control Officer within 180 days of employment.

• Yes
• No

07
I understand that this position requires the successful completion of a full criminal background check to include an FBI fingerprint check, a check of the National Sex Offender Registry Website, a polygraph, and psychological testing.

• Yes
• No

08
I understand that this position is safety sensitive and is subject to testing for alcohol and controlled substances in accordance with the City's current substance abuse policy.

• Yes
• No

09
This position requires that you possess a valid Driver's License and have a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton criteria. Failure to provide your driver's license number will prevent us from considering your application. Please confirm your driver's license number by entering it below:
10
I understand that this position requires considerable contact with the public.

• Yes
• No

11
This position requires work that is physically demanding requiring the strength to move and/or control resistant or immobilized animals, and to move, lift and carry up to up to 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis and up to 100 pounds on an occasional basis. I understand that this position can be physically demanding.

• Yes
• No

12
I understand that this position is non-exempt.

• Yes
• No

13
Have you ever been charged with a crime (felony or misdemeanor) that has not been expunged, even if you were found not guilty, or the charges were dismissed?

• Yes
• No

14
Have you ever been rejected for employment or terminated for ANY reason, by ANY law enforcement agency? If yes, please provide the agency and reason.
15
Have you EVER been terminated from ANY job or received a written reprimand? If yes, please provide details below.
16
Have you EVER, as an ADULT or JUVENILE, been arrested, charged, indicted or convicted for violation(s) of ANY city, municipal, state, or federal law, whether Felony or Misdemeanor? ? If so, provide an explanation that includes date, location, charge and disposition.
17
Have you EVER been detained by ANY law enforcement representative, been the subject of ANY criminal investigation, or been named as the accused on a warrant? If "yes", please explain below in detail.
18
Have you EVER received ANY tickets for traffic violations (excluding parking tickets) on ANY license that you have held since you began driving? If "yes", list type of violation, date received, jurisdiction, and disposition (i.e. fine, suspension, charge(s) dismissed) below.
19
Have you EVER consumed ANY drugs prescribed for another person? If "yes" provide the name or type of drug(s) and the last time consumed:
20
Have you EVER used, tried, ingested, or experimented with marijuana or ANY illegal narcotics or dangerous drugs or substances (i.e. heroin, cocaine, speed, LSD, methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, pcp, ecstasy, hallucinogens, exotic drugs, spice/salvia, etc.)? If "yes", indicate what type of drug and when you last used it?
21
Have you EVER sold ANY type of illegal drug, delivered illegal drugs, or directed another person where to buy drugs to include marijuana? If "yes", indicate what type of drug and the last time you engaged in these activities.
22
Have you applied for ANY other Law Enforcement Agencies (Federal, State, & Local) either presently or in the past? If so, please provide the agency and results below.
23
Have you purposely omitted ANY information from your employment application?

• Yes
• No

24
The following forms must be submitted To the Police Recruitment Team within 7 days of the closing of this post. Questionnaires may be emailed to recruiting@hampton.gov. or hand delivered to 300 Butler Farm Road Hampton, VA 23669. Afterward, you may use your back browser button to return to this page.
Required Question