Animal Sitter Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $25.63 - $35.88 Hourly
Location : Animal Services, NV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27-00014
Department: Community Services
Division: Animal Care & Services
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
**Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.**
Would you like to play a part in protecting the health and welfare of our community? The Animal Services Officer with Douglas County Animal Care and Services plays a crucial part in the enforcement of and compliance with Title 6 of the Douglas County Code. By performing such duties as responding to calls for animal control, educating the public on responsible pet ownership, and investigating animal nuisance and cruelty complaints, this position not only helps to keep the community safe, but also helps to promote humane ethics in the treatment of animals. If you are someone who wants to help both humans and animals alike, has strong customer service skills and experience working with animals, and is dedicated to ensuring compliance with important codes and ordinances, the Animal Services Officer position could be a great fit for you.
*Animal Services Officer must obtain Nevada State Veterinary Board Euthanasia Technician certification within six (6) months of date of employment*
Primary Objectives
Performs intermediate work ensuring that local ordinances concerning the care, use, treatment, licensing and impounding of animals are followed; conducting investigations and inspections, issuing citations/warnings; educating the public; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.
This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
Supervision Exercised
None
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists the general public, customers, and/or County employees in person or by phone answering inquiries related to services, programs, and records.
2. Uses County vehicle to perform various tasks related to job duties.
3. Responds to calls for service; utilizes specialized equipment and techniques to safely capture, contain, and impound animals; transports animals to veterinary hospital; euthanizes if necessary; disposes of dead animals.
4. Responds to animal bites; verifies wounds, rabies vaccination records; locates animals, submits for rabies testing and/or places in quarantine.
5. Investigates nuisance and cruelty complaints: interviews witnesses; notifies owners and involved parties of violations and corrective actions; writes reports, issues citations, and prepares court documentation; may testify in court; coordinates efforts with law enforcement, court officials, and veterinarians.
6. Inspects animal related businesses to issue operation permits.
7. Educates the public in regard to responsible pet ownership, animal related codes and regulations; conducts shelter tours.
8. Cleans and disinfects truck and other equipment.
9. Operates humane traps, mobile radios, cellular phones, and related animal control tools and equipment.
10. Performs duties of Animal Care Assistant and Office Specialist as required.
11. Assists other agencies and County departments in animal control and handling.
12. Assists with shelter operations as required.
13. Maintains records and prepares daily reports related to work performed using Animal Services and Spillman software applications.
14. Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
15. Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or GED and two (2) years of experience with animals in a shelter or animal control function; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Valid Driver's License
• Nevada State Veterinary Board Euthanasia Technician certification within six (6) months of date of employment

WORKING CONDITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
WORKING CONDITIONS
The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing and using hands; frequently requires walking, kneeling or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling.
• Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. heavy traffic, large equipment).
• Work occasionally requires exposure to wet/humid conditions (non-weather), exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens (may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment).
• Exposure to animal bites and other related injuries; incumbent must be willing to handle injured, ill or dead animals in potentially hazardous situations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
3. Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.
4. This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Douglas County provides benefits to full-time employees. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working 20-29 hours per week. Part-time employees working 19 hours or less, as well as on-call employees, are not eligible for benefits.
No Nevada State income tax.
Retirement - Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)
Douglas County contributes 36.75% of an eligible regular member and 50% of an eligible Police and Fire member's salary for retirement.
Deferred Compensation Plans - Employees have the option to participate in a deferred compensation program through , which is funded by the employee.
Employee Perks

• Vacation: Accrued at the rate of 4.6154 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year (increase with years of service).
• Sick Leave : Earned at the rate of 3.6923 hours per pay period, or 96 hours per year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Annual Gym Membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Health Insurance
As a Douglas County employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with several medical plan options, plus dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability insurance. Benefits start on the first of the month after a 60-day waiting period. To learn more about our health insurance and employee benefits, please visit our
Compensation
Douglas County uses a Pay for Performance compensation system, where employees receive annual performance evaluations and may be eligible for merit-based salary increases. Qualified employees can earn up to a 3% merit increase on their anniversary date, and may also receive an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) during the first pay period of each fiscal year, based on the Consumer Price Index, up to a maximum of 5%. In addition, eligible employees who demonstrate exceptional, above-and-beyond performance may receive further compensation through the County's Recognition of Excellence Program.
01
What is your highest level of completed education?

• High School or GED
• Vocational Certification
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher
• None of the Above

02
If you indicated a degree above, what was the major?
03
How many years of experience do you possess working with animals in a shelter or in an animal control function?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years or more

04
Briefly describe your experience, if any, of working with animals in a shelter or in an animal control function, including specific duties performed.
05
Will you be able to provide a current valid Driver's License and DMV history report (10 year) if offered employment?

• Yes
• No

06
The Animal Services Officer must obtain a Nevada State Veterinary Board Euthanasia Technician certification within six (6) months of date of employment. Do you currently hold a Nevada State Veterinary Board Euthanasia Technician certification, or are you willing and able to obtain certification within six (6) months of date of employment? (cost of certification and training is provided by the department)

• Yes, I hold current Nevada State Veterinary Board Euthanasia Technician certification.
• I am willing and able to obtain Nevada State Veterinary Board Euthanasia Technician certification within six (6) months of date of employment.
• I DO NOT hold current certification and I AM NOT willing and able to obtain certification within six (6) months of date of employment.

07
How many years of experience do you possess in investigating nuisance and cruelty complaints, including such duties as conducting interviews, notifying of violations and corrective actions, and preparing reports, citations and related documentation.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years or more

08
Describe any specialized equipment or techniques to safely capture, contain, and impound animals you are currently familiar with.
09
Explain why customer service is important in animal control.
10
Briefly describe why you are interested in the Animal Services Officer position with Douglas County Animal Care & Services.
11
Douglas County requires applicants to list all work history from your most current employment to 10 years back. If relevant experience is over 10 years please list it on your application. ***Writing "See Resume" on the application in place of completing your information is not acceptable.***Have you listed your current employment through 10 years of work history on your application in addition to listing any relevant experience that exceeds 10 years?

• Yes, I have listed all work history from most current to 10 years back.
• I do not have 10 years of work history, but I have included all employment history.
• I have relevant experience that exceeds 10 years, and I have included the experience on my application.
• No, I have not listed all work history from most current to 10 years back.

12
Are you able to perform the primary duties and responsibilities of the job listed on the job description with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

13
Douglas County employees are required to uphold the County's Values and are evaluated based upon these Values. MISSION STATEMENT Working together with integrity and accountability, the Douglas County team is dedicated to providing essential and cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors. VALUES STATEMENT Integrity - We demonstrate honest and ethical conduct through our actions. Accountability - We accept responsibility for our actions. Customer Service - We deliver efficient and effective service with an attitude of respect and fairness. Leadership - We establish the tone and direction for success motivating and inspiring others to accomplish a shared vision