Animal Control Officer at City of Oak Ridge TN – Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Position Summary
This civilian position enforces City codes and ordinances for the licensing care and control of animals; and assists with the operation of the City’s animal shelter.

Essential Functions

• Investigates all public animal complaints including stray animals, cruelty investigations, missing animals search and reunification, defecation complaints, licensing, noise complaints, and animal bites.
• Sets traps for non-domestic and domestic animals. Captures wild nuisance animals within city dwellings and properties and relocates or euthanizes when appropriate.
• Patrols city streets looking for nuisance animals.
• Captures, tags, and logs animals into the animal shelter; picks up and properly disposes of dead animals.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains animal shelters, cages and facility.
• Responds to requests for assistance.
• Assists with daily animal and shelter care including cleaning the shelter; providing feed, water and care for animals; treating sick or injured animals.
• Assists public with questions regarding lost and adoptive animals; advises public on appropriate policies and procedures; releases animals from shelter for adoption or reclaim.
• Assists with and performs euthanasia of animals as assigned.
• Prepares accurate reports and maintains daily logs relating to all animal control matters, including euthanasia, animal bites, and quarantines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of City and State animal control laws, regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge of current practices and procedures in Animal Shelter management.
• Knowledge of principles and practices for capturing and handling a variety of wild and domestic animals.
• Knowledge of principles of animal behavior.
• Knowledge of specialized animal control equipment and techniques.
• Skill in answering calls and complaints involving animal control.
• Skill in advising owners of loose animals, leash laws and the necessity of keeping animals under control.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
• Ability to take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Knowledge of City policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of local government organization and its departmental operating requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• Ability to work the allocated hours for the position.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications

• High School Diploma/equivalent with two (2) years animal control experience.
• Must be a Certified Professional Animal Control Officer or be able to obtain certification within one (1) year of hire.
• Must possess a valid State of Tennessee driver’s license.

Individuals interested in this position must submit an application/resume online by 12:00 noon, Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
https://www.oakridgetn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1930/Animal-Control-Officer-PDF