Animal Control Officer Division of Animal Services, Department of Health Services

Organizational Overview:

The Division of Animal Services is responsible for Animal Control and related services for 49 towns in Bergen and Hudson Counties. The mission of Animal Services is to promote the humane treatment of all animals, reunite lost pets with their owners, and encourage adoption, foster care, and wildlife rehabilitation. Additionally, Animal Services works to reduce animal populations through spay/neuter programs (TNR) and public education on animal welfare. The organization also supports the community in responsible pet ownership.

Job Description:           

This employment opportunity is to serve as an Animal Control Officer. Under the general supervision of a supervisory official in a local government agency or institution, handles, captures, and when necessary, humanely destroys wild and strayed domesticated animals and birds; cares for impounded animals; cleans and maintains the impounding facility; does other related duties as required.

Job Responsibilities:          

  • Patrols the streets, captures, and impounds stray animals, wild game, birds, and unlicensed dogs.
  • Cares for and feeds animals in the public pound and observes their physical condition and behavior.
  • Uses nets, traps, or tranquilizer gun to capture wild animals or strayed domesticated pets.
  • Captures and impounds animals suspected of being rabid and observes their physical condition.
  • Be certified in legal, humane euthanasia methods.
  • Handles complaints regarding wild and stray animals, and licensed and unlicensed domesticated animals.
  • Cleans and maintains sanitation of the impounding facility; washes and scrubs the facility, cleans up feces and urine, and dips and bathes animals, to rid them of fleas and ticks.
  • Promotes the adoption of animals and arranges for their spaying and neutering.
  • Interpret laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines and apply them to specific situations including alleged violations of state anti-cruelty statues and potentially dangerous/bite case investigations
  • Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Testify in court for alleged violations of the law.
  • Maintains essential records and files.

Schedule:   

  • Full time (40 hours/week).  
  • Evenings, weekends, 3rd shifts, holidays and on-call are required

Education Requirements: High School Diploma

Other Requirements:

  • One (1) year of experience in animal control.
  • Possession of a current and valid certificate as an Animal Control Officer issued by the New Jersey Department of Health.
  • Valid New Jersey Driver’s License.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

What we offer:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Enrollment into the state pension system
  • Life, Short-term Disability & Long-term Disability coverage
  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Salary: $38,000 – $60,000 / per annum

Please send resume and employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.