Entry Level Animal Control Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $25.03 - $33.54 Hourly
Location : Rialto, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-030
Department: POLICE ANIMAL CONTROL
Opening Date: 07/24/2025
Classification Definition
DEFINITION
To perform routine duties in support of the City's animal control services and operations; to provide assistance in enforcing City, County and State laws governing the care and keeping of animals in the City; to patrol assigned areas; to capture, impound, care for and euthanize animals as appropriate; and to perform a variety of duties relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level class in the Animal Control Officer series. This class is distinguished from the Animal Control Officer II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Since this is typically an entry level class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.
HOURLY WAGE INFORMATION:
Animal Control Officer I:
Hourly: $24.30 - $32.56
Animal Control Officer II:
Hourly: $26.82 - $35.95
*Listed amounts indicate the first and last steps of the range for each position.
Essential Duties and Responsiblities
ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:

1. Patrol City streets and roads using a City owned vehicle; search for stray dogs and domestic animals.
2. Pick up and dispose of deceased animals in accordance with established policies and procedures.
3. Investigate reports or complaints of nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous, wild or diseased animals within the city and take appropriate action; investigate reports of animal cruelty or neglect; investigate animal bites; arrange for animal identification and quarantine as needed.
4. Perform general office duties; receive and direct telephone calls; provide information and explain procedures; send notices; file rabies certificates and other documents.
5. Prepare and maintain a variety of files, records and reports; ensure all records comply with established guidelines.
6. Receive lost and found animal reports; assist visitors in locating missing pets.
7. Assist in enforcing City animal control laws; explain ordinance relating to keeping and caring for animals; issue citations for violations of the animal control ordinance.
8. Coordinate the services and operations of the City's rabies vaccination clinics; maintain related records.
9. Impound, quarantine and euthanize animals as appropriate; provide assistance in determining whether injured animals should be treated or euthanized; contact a veterinarian to treat injured animals as appropriate.
10. Assist in preparing laboratory specimens; submit to appropriate public agencies.
11. Operate variety of tools, equipment and devices including humane traps, mobile radios and related animal control tools and equipment.

Marginal Functions:

1. Maintain vehicle and equipment in proper working condition; clean and repair vehicle and equipment as necessary.
2. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Animal Control Officer I:
Experience and Training Guidelines: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One year of experience in the care and handling of animals.
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Animal Control Officer II:
Experience and Training Guidelines: Minimum requirements as a condition of hire:
Experience:
Two years of responsible experience in animal control enforcement.
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information
Application Procedure:
A City application form and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) MUST be submitted and received by the closing date. Please apply online at www.yourrialto.com. All other employment inquiries can be directed to The City of Rialto, Human Resources Department. 246 S. Willow, Rialto, CA 92376. Telephone: (909) 820-2540.
Selection Process:
Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application material that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the positions may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skills, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include a physical, drug screen, and fingerprinting.
Veterans Preference Credit Eligibility:
Veterans of the armed forces, who have been discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable (Government Code: 18540.4), shall receive an additional five (5) points to their final examination score for ranking purposes only. This preference will apply only to the first appointment to any regular full-time City appointment. A copy of your valid DD214 must be submitted on or before the final filing date in order to be eligible for Veterans Preference Credit. For more information, please see the City's
E-Verify:
The City of Rialto is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.
This benefits overview is a summary and is not to be considered all-inclusive or applicable to all employees.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
RETIREMENT
The California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), which took effect in January 2013, changes the way CalPERS retirement and health benefits are applied, and places compensation limits on members. The greatest impact is felt by new CalPERS members.
As defined by the PEPRA, a new member includes:
-A member who joined CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013, who, on or after January 1, 2013, is hired by a different CalPERS employer following a break in service of more than six months.
-A new hire who joined CalPERS for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in another California public retirement system.
-A new hire who joins CalPERS for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member of another California public retirement system prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
All members who don't fall into the definitions above are considered classic members. Classic members will retain the existing benefit enrollment levels for future service with the same employer.
PERS Retirement Employee Cost-Sharing: Safety 9% Non-Safety 8% (Pre-Tax after PERS Contract Amendment effective date regarding cost-sharing)
CAFETERIA PLAN City's contribution to the Cafeteria Plan is $1,800 to go towards the employee's contributions for Health, Vision, and Dental insurance premiums. Effective June 12, 2018, new hires will receive $100 per period "opt-out" allowance for not using City sponsored medical insurance.
• Effective December 1, 2025: The City will contribute an additional one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175) per month towards the monthly cafeteria allowance to a total allowance of one thousand, nine hundred seventy-five dollars ($1,975) per month.
• Effective December 1, 2026: The City will contribute an additional one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per month towards the monthly cafeteria allowance to a total allowance of Two thousand, one hundred twenty-five dollars ($2,125) per month.
LIFE INSURANCE provides a $150,000 double indemnity policy for employee plus dependent coverage ($10,000 for spouse and $5,000 dependent children).
BILINGUAL PAY is paid to employees who successfully pass the bilingual proficiency examination at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per pay period.
VACATION is accumulated at the biweekly rate of 6 hours for the first through fourth years.
THIRTEEN HOLIDAYS are observed each year, plus two floating holidays of employee's choice.
SICK LEAVE is accumulated at the biweekly rate of 4.62 hours. This is equivalent to 120 hours per year.
SPORTS CENTER usage has been made available; at no cost, to all employees as set forth in the usage guidelines. The facilities include weight room, racquetball and tennis courts, pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION Employees with five (5) to nine (9) years of continuous service with the City of Rialto, shall receive three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325.00) into their deferred compensation account.
Employees with ten (10) or more years of continuous service with the City of Rialto, shall receive six hundred fifty dollars ($650.00) into their deferred compensation account.
EMERGENCY SERVICE: All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.
01
How many years of professional experience do you have in the care and handling of animals and/or animal control enforcement?

• No Experience
• Less than 12 months
• 1 year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more

02
Describe your professional experience working in animal care, including any animal control and enforcement, gained at an animal care agency, animal shelter, or vet clinic. Please make sure to include the names of your employers where this experience was gained and the dates of employment. If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.
03
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• None
• High School or Equivalent (GED)
• Some college coursework, no degree received
• AS/AA (Associates Degree)
• BS/BA (Bachelors Degree)
• MS/MA (Masters Degree)

04
Do you possess a valid California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question