Exotic Animal Rescue Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $68,120.00 - $91,811.20 Annually
Location : Orange County
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 5905GE-0526-012 (O)
Department: OC Community Resources
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
CAREER DESCRIPTION
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
(Animal Care Officer)
SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Animal Care Officer vacancies within OC Community Resources/OC Animal Care. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment will close on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT.
OC ANIMAL CARE
OC Animal Care's mission is to provide refuge and care for animals, foster the human-animal bond and promote safety in our community to ensure a safe compassionate community for all. OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership; health and safety of people and animals and spay/neuter programs. OC Animal Care provides temporary shelter and medical care for lost, owned, or stray animals and opportunities for adoption for these animals.
OC Animal Care (OCAC) was founded in 1941 in the City of Orange in Orange County, California as a rabies control center with only 25 dog kennels. Since then, OCAC has expanded to play an important role in Orange County's animal care community. OCAC serves 14 cities and the unincorporated areas of Orange County with its expanded programs and services, and in 2024, the agency accepted over 15,000 animals.
OCAC's goal is to deliver prompt, temporary care and refuge to homeless animals, reunite animals with their owners, facilitate adoption, ensure public safety, and enhance the human-animal bond in the community. The shelter is designed to provide a positive experience for animals and people alike, and is the backdrop for the adaptive animal programming continually developed by OC Animal Care to provide enrichment, engagement and adoption services for the animals in its care.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Animal Care Officer is the journey-level classification in the civilian Animal Care Officer occupational series.
As an Animal Care Officer, you'll protect animals, safeguard the public, and directly improve the quality of life in your community. You'll investigate cases of cruelty and neglect, rescue sick, injured, or abandoned animals, and work alongside law enforcement to investigate crimes against animals. You'll also play a critical role in keeping neighborhoods safe by managing aggressive animals and addressing rabies risks.
Every day brings meaningful, rewarding work. Some days you'll be out in the field making quick, critical decisions on your own, while other days you'll collaborate with fellow officers to handle complex situations. You'll educate residents on responsible pet ownership, build trust within the community, and help people help animals through compassion, fairness, and understanding.
If you're compassionate, dependable, and motivated by service, this career offers the chance to be a voice for animals, a partner to the community, and a protector of public safety.
Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrol assigned areas in a vehicle, complete daily work assignments received during briefings or by other means
• Safely and effectively secure a variety of domestic and wild animals in a variety of circumstances
• Assess the condition of injured or sick animals, determine appropriate care, issue notices as needed, and coordinate next steps for wildlife rehabilitation when feasible
• Communicate effectively and professionally in person and via two-way 800 MHZ radio utilizing codes/phonetic alphabet
• Promote compliance with County and State laws that pertain to the field of animal care and control
• Engage with the public safely and professionally, including in occasionally tense or challenging situations
• Prepare written reports, patrol logs and other materials in a legible, concise and accurate manner
• Interact safely and professionally with healthy, sick or injured domestic, wild and exotic animals
• Investigate and document reports of animal cruelty or neglect, amongst emotional and sometimes disturbing situations
• Protect the community from aggressive dogs by safely impounding them, documenting the scene, and taking appropriate follow-up actions
• Investigate animal bites and reports of aggressive animals
• Assist other officers by receiving and dispatching calls for service
• Educate the public on County and State laws, animal care standards, and responsible pet ownership
• Rescue animals from situations or circumstances that could endanger their health or well-being
• Testify in court or administrative hearings as needed
• Collect and transport deceased animals from public and private properties

Work Assignments: Assignments in this classification may involve a variety of placements such as field work, office work, coverage in our dispatch unit/call center, or assisting other sections of OC Animal Care such as the kennel, veterinary, or clerical units, as determined by the business needs of the department.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule of this assignment will consist of rotating assignments five days per week, eight hours per day. There are some assignments which work a four day per week, 10 hour per day schedule. Shift schedules generally rotate every four months. OC Animal Care provides service 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Field Services currently has four primary shifts providing continuous staff coverage throughout the day and overnight, although other assignments may be assigned or available. Incumbents should be prepared to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends and holidays on a five day per week, eight hour per day schedule, or other schedule as assigned. Incumbents may be drafted for mandatory overtime in the event of an emergency, disaster, or during periods of unexpected staffing shortages.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSIn addition to the minimum qualifications, a successful candidate will also possess the following desired qualifications:

• At least one year of work experience as an Animal Control Officer or at least two years of work experience as a Code Enforcement Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Game Warden or similar

The possession of the following certifications and/or training is highly desirable but not required:

• Valid PC 832(a) Laws of Arrest certification, or completion of 40 or more hours of training from the National Animal Care and Control Association, Code 3 Associates, the National Animal Cruelty Investigations School, or a comparable program
• Certified in Humane Euthanasia

CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:
Technical Expertise

• Training, knowledge, or experience in the care and safe handling of domestic or wild animals.
• Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Chameleon software, with the ability to read, understand, and apply academic material.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and accurately apply written materials and instructions.
• Skilled in managing conflict and effectively de-escalating tense or hostile situations.
• Knowledge of legal procedures, the criminal justice system, or the animal control industry.
• Experience in a professional enforcement setting.

Communication

• Effectively able to accurately and concisely exchange information with others both verbally and in writing.
• Communicate information with confidence and clarity, and prepares accurate, concise written documents.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and effectively follow verbal and written instructions.
• Actively listen to others for a full understanding of what is being communicated.
• Effectively communicate with the public in diverse situations while demonstrating professionalism, social awareness, and tact.
• Ability to document, recall, and recreate detailed conversations or events.
• Knowledge or experience in conflict resolution or tactical communication.

Customer Service

• Provide courteous and professional customer service to all clients and members of the public.
• Apply knowledge of customer service principles and problem-solving strategies to effectively manage stressful or complex situations.
• Anticipate and respond to the needs of both internal and external customers in all situations.

Problem Solving / Results Orientated

• Act or decide on alternative courses of action under routine, highly stressful, or environmentally difficult conditions.
• Perform complex problem solving and effectively deals with stressful situations.
• Effectively applies organization and planning skills to ensure high productivity and efficiency.
• Work independently and manage time wisely to effectively prioritize multiple and competing tasks.
• Meet departmental and project goals and deadlines by prioritizing workload and projects.
• Investigate and adopt best practices.
• Accountable for personal performance and goal achievement.
• Maintain sufficient content and knowledge to perform all aspects of the job effectively.
• Remain alert and coherent to take action or to decide alternative courses of action under routine, highly stressful, or environmentally difficult conditions.
• Demonstrate mental resilience and critical thinking skills to solve complex problems and manage stressful situations effectively.

Special Requirements
Must pass a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County of Orange. Incumbents must maintain the ability to legally possess, utilize, and transport controlled substances for humane euthanasia. Note: Some criminal convictions may preclude applicants from legally possessing, utilizing and transporting controlled substances. In compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 8, §5144, Respirator Protection, incumbents will be required to utilize a respirator for certain aspects of their job duties to protect against odors, harmful respiratory contaminants and/or particulates. Incumbents will need to be able to work in a moderate to heavy physical capacity while wearing the respirator. Incumbents will need to pass a respiratory equipment fit test with Orange County Employee Health Services to ensure proper sizing and protection.
License/Certification
Must possess and maintain a current, valid California Driver's License (Class C).
Incumbents must be able to obtain a certificate of successful completion for a California Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Course, Penal Code §832 Laws of Arrest, within six (6) months of employment.
Some assignments may be required to successfully complete training in compliance with California Business and Professions Code §4827(d) in order to obtain a certificate to perform humane euthanasia in the state of California.
Some assignments may be required to successfully complete training in compliance with the California Code of Regulations §2039.5 in order to legally possess, utilize, and transport controlled substances for humane euthanasia in the state of California.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSClickfor the complete classification description for Animal Care Officer.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL and WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical and Mental Requirements
Strength to pull, drag, lift and carry up to 75 pounds for 50 feet. Strength to handle, restrain, lead and maneuver large animals, including livestock, from one area to another or into a trailer for transport.
Strength to capture, secure, handle and restrain a variety of animals which are often physically uncooperative and aggressive. Agility to walk, run and physically maneuver oneself to capture and avoid being bitten, kicked or injured by various domestic and wild animals. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Body mobility to walk and run on uneven ground, climb stairs, bend, twist, reach, kneel, squat and crawl to catch animals.
Stamina to drive for extended periods of time. Manual dexterity to complete handwritten paperwork, use a computer and to use and manipulate the controls and buttons on an 800 MHz handheld radio. Vision sufficient to read standard text and fine print, a computer screen, see animals at a distance and to distinguish colors and body language. Hear and speak well enough to converse with others in person, over the phone and over an 800 MHz radio system. Hear well enough to hear the approach of an animal or sounds emitted by domestic and wild animals.
Mental stamina for problem solving and dealing with stressful situations. Mental fortitude to focus and perform job duties in the presence of stressors such as upset citizens, aggressive animals, injured animals, neglected animals, deceased animals or humane euthanasia. In certain assignments, incumbents, in this classification, are required to perform and assist with the humane euthanasia of sick or injured animals or animals which are unable to survive on their own.
Environmental and Working Conditions
Will be required to work with and around wild, domestic and exotic animals in an environment where animals are captured, housed, transported and maintained. Animals may be large, aggressive, injured, dangerous and/or venomous. Will be required to work in a standard office environment around office equipment. Will be required to work outside in all weather conditions in various locations in Orange County and surrounding areas. Will be required to enter buildings, residences, and ot...