Mat Su Borough Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $34.66 - $37.52 Hourly
Location : Animal Shelter, Palmer, AK
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00069
Department: Assembly
Division: Animal Care Regulation
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the enforcement of animal care and regulation ordinances and for the impounding and care of animals.

Work is performed and duties are carried out in accordance with established policies, procedures, and Borough core values: Accountability, Customer Focus, Dedication, Integrity, Responsiveness and Teamwork.

Please Note: This posting is for two positions. Animal Care is seeking to fill one position as soon as possible. The second posting will be available to start on or after July 6, 2026. Current Fiscal Year starting wage is N-1/$34.66 DOE. FY27 (Starting June 29, 2026) wage will increase to N-1/$35.80 DOE.
Pay Grade

N1 - N5 - DOE
Minimum Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.

Three years of experience in the occupational field, sufficient to understand the major duties of the position. Relevant Professional Experience Includes: ACRO Officer, Police Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Security Guard, Corrections Officer, Military Police, Security, and Emergency Services. Relevant Skills Includes: Familiar with gathering evidence, taking witness statements, and documenting crime scenes. Ability to write precise, detailed reports. Ability to diffuse tense, emotional, or confrontational situations with the public.

Ability to remain calm and level-headed during high-stress situations while still maintaining empathy and patience with citizens. Analytical skills, conflict management, problem solving, de-escalation training and National Animal Control Association or Code 3 Associates courses are highly desirable. Additional competencies include safe and effective handling of aggressive, fearful, or injured animals; knowledge of animal behavior; experience with humane capture techniques and restraint equipment.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. Please note: Employees assigned driving duties/responsibilities, must be at least 19 years of age with one (1) year of driving experience.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain National Animal Control Association certification or equivalent within six (6) months from date of hire.

Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check, drug screen and physical.

Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) courses, ICS 100 and IS 700, within ninety (90) days of hire. Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) courses, ICS 200 and IS 800 within one (1) year of hire.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Responds to emergency incidents involving bites or attacks, loose animals, aggressive animals, cruelty to animals, or other like events.
• Investigates domestic animal bites, attacks, cruelty, or other violations of Title 24 through personal interviews, collection of statements, and collection of physical evidence and photographs.
• Completes forms, reports, citations and other documentation.
• Issues animal vaccination certifications and registrations.
• Provides emergency first aid to domestic animals and determines if emergency veterinarian care is required.
• Captures and transports loose, abandoned or impounded animals to the shelter and other appropriate locations.
• Takes complaints involving domestic animals; ensures adequate information is gathered to initiate an investigation.
• Files investigative reports and case files with the Chief Animal Control officer; makes recommendations for classifications consistent with Title 24.
• Enforces Title 24 through the issuance of administrative directives, warnings, or citations as required.
• Attends court and provides testimony; presents evidence and assists witnesses at court proceedings and administrative hearings.
• Assists the public with animal adoptions.
• Assists in the intake processing of shelter animals.
• Assists with kennel maintenance and operations.
• Assists with crematorium operations.
• Assists with public animal registration clinics.
• Assists other local, state or federal agencies with animal related issues.
• Inspects kennel facilities to ensure compliance with code.
• Assists the Veterinarian with euthanasia and the medical treatment of animals.
• Cleans and maintains assigned vehicles and equipment.
• Performs related duties.

The Mat-Su Borough offers a variety of benefits to its eligible employees. These benefits include Health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, accident and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, retirement, supplemental benefits (in lieu of social security), deferred compensation, and an employee assistance program. Following is brief description of some of these benefits.
Health Insurance:

The Borough offers group health insurance to all Regular employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week. The plan includes medical, prescription, audio and optional dental and vision benefits. Employees may decline any or all of these coverages. Coverage begins for the employee and family members the 1st of the month following date of employment. Family members include spouse and children under age 26. Beginning July 1, 2022, the amount charged to each employee, with a regular work week of 35 or more hours, will be based on which Tier you select and whether the optional vision/dental coverage is added. That amount will be divided between the first two paychecks of each month. The Borough will pay the remainder of the monthly costs. For employees working at least 30 hours but less than 40 hours a week, if the employee elects to be covered, the employee cost will also be based on the Tier selected and if the optional vision/dental coverage has been added.
Life & AD&D:

All regular full time or part time employees will have life insurance coverage provided by the Borough of $50,000 on themselves, $2,000 on their spouse and $1,000 on each qualified child. The benefit for Accidental Death & Dismemberment on the employee is $50,000.
• Employees may purchase additional life insurance through the State of Alaska Supplemental Benefits System.
Retirement:

PERS Tier IV (applies to employees first entered into PERS service on or after July 1, 2006): Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System is mandatory with a contribution rate of 8%. The Borough portion is as follows: Defined Contribution Plan - 5%; Health Plan - 0.86%, Health Reimbursement Arrangement - $94.92 (per pay period), Occupational Death & Disability - 0.24%.
PERS Tier I, II, & III (applies to employees first entered into PERS service prior to July 1, 2006): Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is mandatory with a contribution rate of 6.75%. The Borough portion is 22%.
For further information, go to the state of Alaska's website at www.state.ak.us/drb.
Alaska Supplemental Benefits System:

The Supplemental Benefits System (SBS) is in lieu of Social Security and is mandatory. An employee contributes at 6.13% of gross wages, matched by the Borough (6.13%), on the present wage base of $176,100.
SBS offers other various benefit options which are fully explained on their website at www.state.ak.us/drb.
Deferred Compensation Plan:

The Borough offers a Deferred Compensation Plan to eligible employees. The maximum amount an employee may defer in any taxable year is 100% of taxable wages or $23,500, whichever is less. Employees over the age of 50 may contribute an additional $7,500 and ROTH $7,000.
Holidays:

The Borough recognizes 11 paid holidays (plus 1 floating holiday). Regular employees with a regularly scheduled work week of less than forty (40) hours shall receive holiday pay on a pro-rated basis.
Personal Leave:

Personal leave will begin accruing the first day employment, however, it will not be available until after the employee has completed three (3) months of service. Accrual rates are as follows:
0 through 1 years 6 Hours per pay period

1 through 2 years 6.93 Hours per pay period

3 through 5 years 8.77 Hours per pay period

6 through 10 years 9.7 Hours per pay period

11 years and longer 11.64 Hours per pay period
Regular employees with a regularly scheduled work week of less than forty (40) hours shall accrue leave on a pro-rated basis.
01

Describe your experience dealing with verbally combative or hostile individuals. Please give specific examples.
02

Are there any animals you are afraid of or have an aversion to? Please give one example and explain why.
03

Can you explain what MSB Title 24 covers?
04

Have you ever witnessed or participated in the euthanasia of an animal? If yes, please describe the circumstances and your role.
05

Do you have any experience in animal control, dispatching, or law enforcement? If so, please provide a detailed history.
06

Do you have any experience in public education or presenting to large groups? Please describe size of group(s) and topic(s).
07

Are you allergic to any animals?
08

8. This position typically follows a rotating schedule of four 10-hour shifts over a two-month cycle. However, scheduling may change to ensure seven-day-a-week coverage, including weekends and holidays. Each Animal Care & Regulation Officer is also assigned 1-3 "on-call" 24-hour shifts during which they must remain within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and be able to respond immediately. Do you understand and accept these scheduling requirements? Do you have any conflicts or restrictions?
Required Question