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Cook County Animal Control Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

McHenry County

Animal Control Officer

Crystal Lake, IL

$23.73 - $27.41/hr

Directly guided by the Illinois State Statutes and the McHenry County Public Health Ordinance, Animal Control - Article VI, investigating animal related complaints (rabid, stray, biting, neglected ...

McHenry County, IL

Animal Control Officer

Crystal Lake, IL · On-site

$23.73 - $27.41/hr

Directly guided by the Illinois State Statutes and the McHenry County Public Health Ordinance, Animal Control - Article VI, investigating animal related complaints (rabid, stray, biting, neglected ...

County of DuPage

Animal Services Veterinarian

Wheaton, IL · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

... the County Shelter Implements and manages staff and facility sanitation and hygiene protocols including disease control Upholds current animal welfare standards of care (e.g. feeding practices ...

FAR Inspections

Self-Directed Vacancy Driver

Chicago, IL · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

The Opportunity Earn a predictable supplemental or full-time income on a flexible schedule that you control. As a Field Inspector covering Cook County, you will perform residential occupancy ...

SpecialtyRx

Pharmacy Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

NEW LOCATION -- COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS NEW CLOSED-DOOR PHARMACY OPENING SOON! Competitive Pay ... Rotate medication stock to ensure quality control standards. * Prepack bulk medications prescribed ...

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Cook County Animal Control information

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How much do cook county animal control jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook county animal control in Chicago, IL is $16.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.85 and $18.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Cook County Animal Control?

A Cook County Animal Control job involves enforcing local animal-related laws, responding to reports of stray or dangerous animals, and ensuring public safety. Officers investigate cases of animal cruelty, assist in capturing and relocating wildlife, and educate the public on responsible pet ownership. They may also coordinate with shelters and veterinarians to provide care for rescued or seized animals.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone working in Cook County Animal Control?

Daily responsibilities for Cook County Animal Control staff usually include responding to calls about stray, injured, or dangerous animals; investigating potential animal cruelty cases; and enforcing local animal control laws. You may also safely capture and transport animals, maintain detailed records, and educate the public about responsible pet ownership and safety. Collaboration with law enforcement, shelters, veterinarians, and the general public is common, making teamwork and communication vital. The role offers a balance of fieldwork and administrative tasks, ensuring that each day brings variety and meaningful community impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Cook County Animal Control position, and why are they important?

Success as a Cook County Animal Control officer requires knowledge of animal behavior, public safety regulations, and typically a background in animal science or law enforcement, along with relevant certifications. Familiarity with animal capture equipment, incident reporting systems, and sometimes state-mandated training or certification in humane animal handling is important. Outstanding officers excel in communication, problem-solving, and compassion when interacting with the public and animals under stress. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring community safety, effective animal management, and the humane treatment of all animals encountered on the job.

How to get hired for Cook County Animal Control?

To get hired as an animal control officer, applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and may be required to pass a background check and physical fitness test. Relevant skills include animal handling, communication, and knowledge of local animal laws. Applying through the county’s official job portal and demonstrating experience with animals can improve chances of employment.

Is it hard to get into Cook County Animal Control?

Getting a job at Cook County Animal Control typically requires meeting minimum age and education requirements, passing a background check, and completing relevant training or certifications such as animal handling or safety courses. The hiring process can be competitive, and candidates often need to demonstrate experience with animals and good communication skills.

What are good entry level jobs in Cook County Animal Control?

Entry-level positions at Cook County Animal Control often include animal care technician, kennel assistant, or shelter attendant roles. These jobs typically require basic animal handling skills, a high school diploma or equivalent, and the ability to work in a team environment. Certification in animal first aid or handling may be beneficial but is not always required for initial roles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cook County Animal Control jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Cook County Animal Control jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Cook County Animal Control jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Cook County Animal Control jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cook County Animal Control jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Cook County Animal Control jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Cook County Animal Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cook County Animal Control job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,345 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

Crystal Lake, IL

McHenry County

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

519th of 852 rated public administrative organizations

Good employer

Paid breaks

Respectful managers

Learn more about McHenry Countyexternal

$23.73 - $27.41/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Division: Animal Control
Animal Control Officer I II III - Full Time
JOB SUMMARY:

Enforcing the animal control ordinance and educating the public on responsible pet ownership. Team oriented environment. Comfortable in a fast pace, high volume, multi-tasking workplace. The Veterinary Public Health Division is a 24-hour, 365-day operating program.
JOB FUNCTION:

Directly guided by the Illinois State Statutes and the McHenry County Public Health Ordinance, Animal Control - Article VI, investigating animal related complaints (rabid, stray, biting, neglected, injured etc.). Capture and transport animals and prepare citations as well as reports. Clean and sanitize animal housing of current animal population on a regular basis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High School diploma or GED and a good driving record are required (Valid IL driving license). Knowledge of animal behavior as well as animal handling experience. Euthanasia Certification (through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation) is required within 12 months. Good writing skills and computer competency a must. Ability to understand and interpret public health ordinances and policies. Ability to communicate effectively and to relay education and policy to the public. Ability to move 100 Lbs. (Bilingual Preferred) Position subject to a background check including fingerprinting.
STARTING SALARY

$23.73-$27.41 dependent on certification and experience.
HOURS

37.50 hours per week, some nights, weekends, overnight on-call and holiday hours included.

BENEFITS

  • 4 Medical plans, 2 dental plans, 2 vision plans, and various supplemental plans.
  • Pension: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
  • Nationwide Retirement Solutions (457 and Roth457) plans
  • Standard Life insurance policy with the option to buy up additional coverage for employee and dependents.
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment Programs
  • Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and 14 paid holidays.

McHenry County is an equal opportunity employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against because of age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, Veteran status, or disability.

All Health Department staff are required to be up to date on the Covid vaccination as determined by the CDC and IDPH, including all primary series doses and boosters, as a term and condition of employment with the Department. In addition, proof of all vaccines are mandatory for employment with the Health Dept., including the flu vaccine.

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