Animal Jobs in Wheat Ridge, CO (NOW HIRING)

Job Number: 600
Salary: $33.35 - $50.00
Department: Sheriff's Office
Division: Animal Services
Location: 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO, 80112
Job Type: Hourly Full-Time
Posting Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 09/03/2026
ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE:
While the full salary range for the Animal Services Field Supervisor position is $33.35 - $50.00 hourly / $69,368.00 - $104,000.00 annually, the anticipated hiring range is $33.35 - $41.65 hourly / $69,368.00 - $86,632.00 annually. Final salary is DOQ.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Under the general supervision of a Special Operations Lieutenant, this position serves as the immediate supervisor for the Animal Services Program overseeing day-to-day operations, contract management, and personnel and program development. In addition to daily program oversight, this position performs the full range of functions as an Animal Services Officer and is responsible for performing a wide variety of administrative and field duties associated primarily with the enforcement of the Arapahoe County Animal Services Resolution, Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), and enforcement of codes for any jurisdictions served by contract
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Animal Services program and staff by providing leadership, direction, and technical expertise, as well as ensuring staffing level coverage.
• Determines and adjusts job assignments; evaluates and updates procedures; ensures ongoing employee development.
• Resolves employee relations issues and ensures adherence to policies and guidelines.
• Coaches, supports, and guides staff in making challenging enforcement decisions. Coordinates well with others to develop goals and accomplish both personal and program growth and progress.
• Implements strategic goals, develops and coordinates community outreach and resource efforts, drafts and executes contracts and agreements, and invoices for services provided as directed by and in conjunction with the Patrol Special Operations Captain.
• Creates a vision or goal for the program and communicates it in a way that motivates others to implement, then moves plans forward toward a specific course of action.
• Communicates effectively with a range of stakeholders, to represent ideas, seek input, and take appropriate action. Additionally, coordinates disaster response resources (currently identified as the County Animal Response Team, or CART) under the general direction of the Patrol Special Operations Captain.
• Provides support to, and collaborates with, other internal and external agencies such as, but not limited to the Arapahoe County Health Department, the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office, Arapahoe County Zoning, neighboring Animal Control Agencies and Animal Shelters, the Department of Agriculture, and other animal welfare/sheltering organizations.

Performs the full range of functions as an Animal Services Officer with specific duties as follows (not all inclusive):

• Responds to calls for service regarding public safety concerns and the enforcement of the Arapahoe County Animal Services Resolution. Handles and maintains control over a variety of animals to include domestic pets, livestock, and wildlife. Ensures the use of safety procedures and equipment when handling possible aggressive, diseased, injured or deceased animals.
• Investigates complaints pertaining to violations of the Animal Services Resolution and takes appropriate action to resolve the violation and/or conflict. Resolutions may include educating or serving warnings, penalty assessments, or summons. Ensures compliance with dog licensing/rabies vaccination requirements.
• Rotates working in the office, as a call taker and dispatcher, receiving calls and complaints. Evaluates and researches information, educates callers, dispatches and assists other officers out in the field. Assists the Public, by phone or in person, to answer general animal safety, welfare, and regulation questions.
• Investigates animal bites and places suspect animal(s) under quarantine. Assists the Arapahoe County Health Department with quarantine observations involving animal to human bites or wildlife to animal/human incidents.Documents through the appropriate data systems all details of a case. Prepares and submits appropriate court documentation to the court records department. Provides follow-up with the District Attorney's office to ensure resolution with cases submitted. Provides testimony in scheduled court cases.
• Performs additional duties as assigned, per the full Animal Services Officer job description, which can be obtained by contacting Sheriff's Office Human Resources.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to manage, support, and develop staff in all areas of responsibility.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, as well as follow written and oral instructions.
• Knowledge of best practices for animal control and welfare in a comprehensive local government animal services program.
• Ability to use discretion and comprehensive reasoning surrounding regulation enforcement and thoroughly document all actions in relation to enforcement and supervisory work.
• Knowledge of the techniques used in the handling of domestic and wild animals under conditions stressful to the animal, including animals that may be aggressive, injured, sick or deceased.
• Ability to represent Arapahoe County in court proceedings, including preparing necessary documentation and communicating with legal counsel, law enforcement, and district court representatives.
• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and enforce animal control and welfare state and local laws, including knowledge of legal and courtroom procedures.
• Ability to operate related office and field equipment.
• Ability to successfully complete in-service/mandatory trainings.
• Ability to read and understand applicable Federal, State and local laws.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Sheriff's Office personnel, internal/external vendors, other law enforcement officials and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: Associate degree or equivalent coursework in animal science, criminal justice, public administration, or related field.
EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of animal control or code enforcement experience.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.
CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES:

• Will be required to obtain Colorado Animal Control Officer certification through the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado (AWAC), within the first year of employment.
• Will be required to obtain and maintain commission as a Bureau of Animal Protection Agent (BAP), as per industry standards and the needs of the Animal Services program, in a timeframe determined by the Patrol Special Operations Captain.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent coursework in animal science, criminal justice, public administration, or related field.
• Supervisory/Lead experience, which includes performance management, coaching, hiring, and/or corrective action.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess CPR and First Aid certification within the initial status period.
• Must possess a valid Colorado "R" Driver's License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Constantly uses visual and fine/gross motor skills, enabling the use of office and field equipment.
• Constantly uses visual and fine/gross motor skills, enabling the safe operation of a vehicle during normal, and hazardous weather situations.
• Constantly uses auditory capacity, enabling the detection of sounds.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication, including automated devices such as the telephone and radio.
• Constantly exposed to animals and animal allergens in the workplace under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and run. Must be able to be on your feet for extended periods of time.
• Frequently pushes, pulls, reaches, handles, and feels while in the field and office.
• Frequently lifts or carries up to 50 lbs. Occasionally lifts or carries 75 lbs. or more.
• Occasionally climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, and crawls.
• Must possess sufficient strength to lift and carry a live or deceased animal up to 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Must be able to push or pull up to 100 lbs. (large dog on catch pole).
• Must be able to grip, pull, and push utilizing safety equipment such as, but not limited to, catch poles, snappy snares, leashes, ropes, and muzzles.
• Must handle various animals of various sizes including aggressive animals and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• Must be able to withstand driving for extended lengths of time.
• Spends 30% of the time sitting and 70% of the time either standing or walking while in the field or office.

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:
Contacts generally include Sheriff's Office staff, other governmental agencies and the public. Information given and received is often of a critical and confidential nature.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a 50% field and 50% office setting, with situations that may involve hazards that could cause bodily harm and/or a threat to life. Work performed is approximately 50% supervisory and 50% Animal Services Officer work. This position includes a rotation of after-hours, on-call emergency response for 24hour/365-day coverage and is subject to working weekends and holidays. This position may require immediate response to emergencies where blood, bodily fluids or other medical hazards may be present. The employee may or may not have time to take precautionary and protective measures.
Employees may encounter adverse weather conditions, road hazards, aggressive animals, and exposure to zoonotic diseases. The unpredictable behavior of animals poses an inherent risk of bites and scratches. Additional exposures may include, but are not limited to:

• Interactions with sick animals.
• Exposure to various animal-related diseases and infestations from insect pests (e.g., fleas, ticks, etc.).
• Contact with animal feces, urine, vomit, or saliva.
• Performing duties in environments that may be dirty, wet, or humid.
• Encountering unpleasant or strong odors, loud noises, and exposure to various chemicals.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:
This position has been determined to be a MODERATE exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".
YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).
BENEFITS:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees are provided benefits to include, but not limited to, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. For a complete summary of benefits review them at: 2026 Benefits Summary.
401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00 percent, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 10%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.
APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:
Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have used any other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years will be disqualified.
• Any felony conviction
• Any conviction involving an act of Domestic Violence
• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
• Documented record of prior poor work performance
• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contact(s)
• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at an