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Quarantine Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Boston

Animal Control Officer

Boston, MA

Performs quarantine inspections in places where animals are housed, sold, or used for any purpose ... Control Officer is strongly preferred. * One (1) year of experience in the review of citizen ...

City of Boston

Animal Control Officer

Boston, MA · On-site

$51K - $71K/yr

Performs quarantine inspections in places where animals are housed, sold, or used for any purpose ... Control Officer is strongly preferred. * One (1) year of experience in the review of citizen ...

City of Boston

Animal Control Officer

Boston, MA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Performs quarantine inspections in places where animals are housed, sold, or used for any purpose ... Control Officer is strongly preferred. * One (1) year of experience in the review of citizen ...

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Quarantine Officer information

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How much do quarantine officer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for quarantine officer in the United States is $29.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a quarantine officer?

Quarantine Officers are professionals responsible for enforcing regulations related to the import and export of animals, plants, food, and other goods to prevent the spread of diseases and pests. They inspect cargo, baggage, and vessels at borders, airports, and seaports to ensure compliance with biosecurity laws. Their work helps protect public health, agriculture, and the environment by minimizing the risk of introducing harmful organisms into a country.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a quarantine officer?

To thrive as a Quarantine Officer, you need knowledge of biosecurity regulations, risk assessment, and inspection procedures, typically supported by a degree in biology, agriculture, or a related field. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, quarantine management systems, and relevant certifications such as biosecurity or public health training is often required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are essential to prevent the entry and spread of pests and diseases, ensuring public health and environmental safety.

What are some of the main challenges quarantine officers face when inspecting international shipments or travelers?

Quarantine Officers often encounter challenges such as identifying prohibited or high-risk items that may not be easily visible or declared, managing high volumes of travelers or cargo during peak periods, and ensuring strict compliance with biosecurity regulations. The role requires balancing enforcement with effective communication, as officers frequently interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, staying updated on changing regulations and emerging biosecurity threats is essential, making ongoing training and adaptability important aspects of the job.

What is the difference between Quarantine Officer vs Border Control Officer?

AspectQuarantine OfficerBorder Control Officer
Required CredentialsRelevant certifications in health and safety, sometimes specific to quarantine proceduresBorder security training, immigration, and customs certifications
Work EnvironmentPorts, airports, border crossings focusing on health inspectionsBorder checkpoints, immigration offices, security screening areas
Employer & IndustryGovernment health agencies, ports, airportsCustoms agencies, border security departments
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to overlapping security and inspection rolesRelated but focuses more on immigration and security enforcement

While both roles operate at border points, Quarantine Officers primarily focus on health inspections to prevent disease spread, whereas Border Control Officers handle immigration and security checks. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path in border security and health screening fields.

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What are popular job titles related to Quarantine Officer jobs?

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Quarantine Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Quarantine Officer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,390 per year, or $29 per hour.

Supervisory Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer

Carolina, PR • On-site

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Public Administration • 10K+ employees
Learn more about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)external

$89K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

United States Department Of Agriculture rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

457th of 857 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

You will serve as a Supervisory PPQ Officer with certain statewide program responsibilities or organizational unit responsibility for federal employees, state cooperative agreement personnel, and/or private contract employees. The mission of this organization is to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of exotic plant pests and/or animal diseases in order to protect the health, welfare and agricultural economy of the United States of America and to facilitate agricultural exports.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must meet the following qualification requirement:
FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Analyzing data and developing recommendations regarding solutions to technical problems.
  • Managing the work of subordinates, developing and monitoring short and long-range work plans.
  • Planning and managing the technical approach for inspections, treatments, survey/eradication programs, and quarantine applications for a plant pest and disease program. Initiating and modifying techniques and procedures to meet changing program requirements.
There is no education substitution for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education:Please see above for education qualification requirement information.Employment Type: OTHER

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