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Local Animal Rescue Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Boulder County, CO

Animal Protection Officer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$62K - $83K/yr

... or local law. Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the ... Performs wildlife capture, rescue, and/or euthanasia as required. * Other duties as assigned.

Boulder County

Animal Protection Officer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$62K - $83K/yr

... or local law. Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the ... Assists in the coordination and response of animal rescue and recovery during disasters. Must be ...

All JobsLocal Animal Rescue JobsLocal Animal Rescue Jobs in Denver, CO

Local Animal Rescue information

See Denver, CO salary details

$10

$21

$28

How much do local animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for local animal rescue in Denver, CO is $21.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.84 and $25.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a local animal rescue?

Local animal rescues are organizations or groups dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray, abandoned, or abused animals within a specific community or region. They often work with shelters, foster volunteers, and veterinarians to provide medical care, foster homes, and adoption services. Unlike large national organizations, local rescues focus on the needs of animals in their immediate area, helping to reduce overpopulation and improve animal welfare at the community level.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive in a local animal rescue role?

To thrive in a Local Animal Rescue role, you need a solid understanding of animal care, handling techniques, and basic veterinary knowledge, often supported by relevant training or certifications in animal welfare. Familiarity with animal shelter management software, animal first aid, and rescue equipment is typically required. Compassion, resilience, and strong communication skills help you work effectively with animals, the public, and fellow team members. These abilities are crucial for ensuring animal safety, facilitating successful adoptions, and maintaining positive community relations.

What are the most common challenges faced by team members in a local animal rescue organization?

Team members in local animal rescue organizations often encounter challenges such as managing the emotional aspects of caring for neglected or abused animals, handling unpredictable situations during rescues, and balancing a high workload with limited resources. Collaboration with veterinarians, volunteers, and local authorities is crucial to ensure animal welfare and successful rehoming. Additionally, adapting to fast-changing priorities and maintaining effective communication within the team are key to providing the best possible care for animals in need.

What is the difference between Local Animal Rescue vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectLocal Animal RescueAnimal Shelter Worker
CredentialsMay require animal care certifications, CPR, first aidOften requires similar certifications, experience in animal handling
Work EnvironmentVaries from outdoor rescues to shelter settings, often on-callPrimarily shelter facilities, consistent indoor environment
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, rescue groups, community organizationsMunicipal shelters, private shelters, animal welfare organizations
Search & Comparison IntentRescue operations, emergency response, volunteer opportunitiesShelter operations, daily animal care, adoption processes

Both roles involve caring for animals, but Local Animal Rescue focuses on emergency and outdoor rescues, while Animal Shelter Workers primarily handle daily shelter operations. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right fit based on environment and responsibilities.

How to get started in a local animal rescue?

To start in a local animal rescue, research organizations in your area and volunteer to gain experience. Many rescues require basic skills such as animal handling, first aid, and knowledge of local regulations, and may ask for background checks or training certifications. Volunteering provides practical experience and helps build connections within the rescue community.

What do I need to work at a local animal rescue?

To work at a local animal rescue, you typically need a genuine interest in animal welfare, good communication skills, and the ability to handle animals safely. Many positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, and some roles may benefit from prior experience with animals or volunteer work. Depending on the role, certifications such as pet first aid or animal handling training can be advantageous.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Denver, CO?

The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Denver, CO are:

What cities near Denver, CO are hiring for Local Animal Rescue jobs?

Cities near Denver, CO with the most Local Animal Rescue job openings:

Local Animal Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Local Animal Rescue job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 28% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,065 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Animal Protection Officer

Boulder County, CO

Boulder, CO • On-site

$62K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Salary : $62,160.00 - $83,544.00 Annually
Location : Boulder, CO
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: SH2026-036
Department: Sheriffs Office
Division: SHE Operations
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026 12:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Description
Animal Protection Officer
Hiring Range:
$5,180 - $5,940 (monthly)
$62,160 - $71,280 (yearly)
Salary Range:
$5,180 - $ 6,962 (monthly)
$62,160 - $83,544 (yearly)
The Animal Protection Officer enforces applicable state laws, county resolutions, and town ordinances involving animals. He/she initiates and completes reports, investigations, summonses and case files as needed to reach a disposition on animal related incidents. He/she may need to perform any other duties as assigned by the Animal Protection Supervisor or other sworn supervisor.
New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month.
Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
PLEASE NOTE: When submitting your application be sure to include all relevant education and experience, as applications are screened based on the qualifications listed in this position announcement. Applications that do not appear to meet minimum qualifications, as outlined below, will not be considered. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completed applications.
Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team.
Examples of Duties
  • Investigates reports of animal related county or municipal ordinance and animal related state law violations, conducts follow-up investigations, and keeps the Animal Protection Supervisor informed of progress and potential issues.
  • Assists citizens with interpretation and understanding of animal related county/municipal ordinances and state laws, department procedure and responsible animal ownership.
  • Issues warnings and legal summonses for violations of animal related county/municipal ordinances and state laws, as well as prepare case files, work with the District Attorney's Office in the preparation of cases, and testify in court cases related to criminal investigations.
  • Patrols jurisdictions, initiates contact with citizens and animals to ensure compliance with animal related county/municipal ordinances and state laws, and the humane treatment of animals.
  • Capture, control, impound and/or transports domestic, exotic, livestock, and wild animals of differing temperaments.
  • Assists in the coordination and response of animal rescue and recovery during disasters.
  • Must be able to use assigned technology such as a law enforcement radio, body worn camera, cell phone and mobile data computer.
  • Must be willing and prepared to work outside and drive in all types of weather environments and disaster situations, and to work in dangerous conditions at times.
  • Must be willing to work varied shift schedules or on-call status as set forth by Animal Protection Supervisor.
  • Must be commissioned by the Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection and pass the certification test of the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado within two years of employment.
  • Must obtain euthanasia certification and perform the skills within six months of employment.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Responds to requests for assistance from other jurisdictions and departments as assigned.
  • Ensures applicable equipment and work areas are cleaned and maintained.
  • Performs wildlife capture, rescue, and/or euthanasia as required.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
21 years of age with valid driver's license. Applicant must successfully pass a complete and thorough application and background investigation, polygraph and psychological exam, physical drug screen, and other tests as necessary.
Education and Experience:
Minimum of a high school diploma or GED; Minimum of 21 years of age, valid Colorado Driver's License and insurable driving record. Proven work ethics and integrity. Experience prioritizing duties and multi-tasking within a busy work environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced education in an applicable field of study such as, but not limited to Animal Science, Wildlife Science, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Veterinary Technology. Previous animal care, animal welfare and/or animal handling experience. Experience reading and interpreting ordinances. Previous enforcement or animal control experience.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with staff, community partners and citizens.
  • Ability to remain calm and level headed in stressful and emotional work situations. Must be able to interact with a wide-variety of community members and provide professional, courteous, and ethical customer service at all times.
  • Emotional intelligence, ethics, and integrity skills required.
  • Ability to prioritize and coordinate work assignments and multi-task within a busy work environment.
  • Must have ability to accurately perceive, soundly reason, and correctly judge situations, occurrences, and circumstances.
  • Ability and willingness to work in direct contact with and handle animals of all temperaments and in all conditions, including aggressive, injured, ill, and deceased animals is required.
  • Able to read and interpret county/municipal ordinances and state laws. Computer and basic clerical, writing, and math skills required.
  • Must be comfortable initiating public contact, relaying information, and providing courtroom testimony.
  • Possess good communication skills and be able to express oneself clearly and precisely, orally and in writing.
  • Must possess the following personality traits: Maturity, honesty, integrity, adaptability, sensitivity, compassion, common sense, good self-esteem, patience, wisdom, reliability, self-discipline, creativity, fortitude, assertiveness, pride in work, initiative, dedication to public service, and problem-solving skills.

Bilingual candidates (speaking, reading, writing and understanding) are eligible for additional compensation.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
Capture, handling, restraint and exposure to domestic and wild animals, aggressive animals. Exposure to animal waste, and zoonotic diseases. Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment, requiring standing and walking for extended periods of time. Entrance into houses or other buildings at times. Must be able to push and pull (up to 40 lbs./force) and perform occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs.). Exposure to dangerous conditions including aggressive persons, traffic, weather, and natural/man-made disasters.
As well as offering competitive pay and a caring work environment, Boulder County offers employees an array of benefits. For all FTE and Term employees, we provide:
  • Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage. Information can be found
  • Additional Benefits include
    • Family-forming benefits- infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
    • 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
    • Breast feeding friendly-work environment
    • Infants-at-work policy
    • Access to LifeMart and Benefits Hub discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
    • Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • PERA 401k
    • Social Security retirement plans
    • Additional Life and Disability Insurance
    • Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
    • County-paid tuition assistance
    • Eligible for PSLF-
    • Free EcoPass
    • Hospital Indemnity
    • ID Theft Protection
    • Pet Insurance
    • 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
  • Generous paid time off
    • Holidays
      • New Year's Day
      • Martin Luther King's Birthday January
      • Presidents' Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Juneteenth
      • Independence Day
      • Labor Day
      • Indigenous People's Day
      • General Election Day November (first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
      • Veterans' Day
      • Thanksgiving Day November
      • Friday after Thanksgiving*
      • Christmas Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
      • Christmas Day
      • New Year's Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
    • Vacation**
      • 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
      • Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
    • Medical**
      • Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
  • PERA- The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA
    • Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary
    • Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division- most county employees: 15.80%

*The District Attorney's Office observe Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October and omit the Friday after Thanksgiving
**Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.
01
It is important that you answer all questions below pertaining to previous life and employment history truthfully, even if previous experiences are not always favorable. Please indicate that you understand the following- I understand that in order for my application to be considered and for me advance through the hiring process, I must answer the following questions truthfully. Any discrepancies between the information that I provide on my application and future testing for this position may disqualify me from the hiring process:
  • Yes
  • No

02
Please list any and all aliases, maiden name, nicknames, other name changes.
03
List all residences in the last 10 years, beginning with your most recent address, including county of resident. List dates resided at each residence.
04
I acknowledge that in order to be considered for a position with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office I must list all places of employment for the last 15 years.
  • Yes
  • No

05
Have you ever been discharged (fired), asked to resign, furloughed, or put on inactive status for cause, or subjected to disciplinary action while employed? If so, state place of employment and circumstances.
06
Have you worked for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office previously? If so, state dates employed, position, and supervisor.
07
Have you served in the United States Armed Forces?
  • Yes
  • No

08
If YES to Military service, were you ever disciplined, arrested, or court marshaled? If so, please explain.
09
Are you now or have you ever been a member of any organization, association, movement, or group which advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government, or which has adopted the policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence or which seeks to alter the form of government of the United States by unconstitutional means?
  • Yes
  • No

10
Are you now or have you even been a member of or associated with a group or organization that engages in illegal activities; and/or are you now or have you ever been associated with a group that advocates or engages in hatred, hostility, or violence towards people of a different race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, or other protected categories?
11
Do you have any tattoos/scars/marks anywhere on your body that are associated with a group that advocates or engages in hatred, hostility, or violence towards people of a different race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, or other protected category?
12
Litigation Information: Have you ever been the plaintiff of, or named in civil litigation, or received notice of claim or intent to be sued? If yes, please explain.
13
Please tell us about any prior drug usage (including marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms)- drugs used, how often, approximate last time used for each. Sharing this information will not preclude you from employment, however, it is information we need to evaluate your honesty and integrity as part of the hiring process.
14
Driver's License: List all states where you have been licensed to operate a motor vehicle. LIST YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER.
15
Traffic summons/tickets: List any traffic tickets/summons or accidents, indic

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