Job Title: Animal Control Officer
Department: Sheriff’s Office
Reports To: Patrol Captain
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation Range: $56,975-66,049 annually

• Based on years of experience as a certified law enforcement officer.
• 2026 Pay Scale:

StepsAnnual SalaryStep 1 $ 56,975Step 2 $ 58,684Step 3 $ 60,444Step 4 $ 64,125Step 5 $ 66,049

Benefits: Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO
**Open until filled**

Incentives Include:​​

• Additional pay potential for fluency in Spanish, degrees in postsecondary education, certified field training officer, and other training certificate
• The Lake County Sheriff's Office is looking for a P.O.S.T certified Law Enforcement Officer, with a strong desire to serve our community with professionalism and honesty. Must possess good communication skills and a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence. The ability to connect with a diverse community in a rural setting, preferably with bilingual proficiency and a desire for public service.
• Overtime opportunities paid at time and a half, after 80 in hours in a 14-day work period.
• County employees can also receive an annual allowance for health and wellness costs.
• End of Year bonus. Based on months of service within the year.
• Duty Firearm will be provided.
• All uniform, belts, holsters, and other equipment, including ballistic body armor and plates, with the exception of footwear, are provided. Ballistic armor is replaced every five years at no cost to the employee.
• Current P.O.S.T, applicable instructor skills certifications will be considered for incentive bonuses to salary. (Firearms, arrest control, driving skills, other)
• Culture of personal and professional development through skills instructor courses, education, higher learning, etc.
• Advanced Education Pay. Up to 6% salary increase for applicable college education completed.
• Spanish/English bilingual skills incentive. A supplemental pay increase to salary is available for bilingual skills demonstrated through testing.

Position Summary:
Responsible for enforcing County laws regarding stray, dangerous, nuisance and unwanted domestic animals; investigates complaints; patrols assigned areas; captures animals; performs other duties related to humane animal protection and control.

General Duties and Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
Essential Functions

• Investigates complaints from the public and other agencies regarding nuisance, stray, uncontrolled, dangerous or diseased animals.
• Conducts investigations of complaints regarding animal cruelty and neglect; investigates animal bites, arranging for appropriate identification and quarantine.
• Explains local laws, codes and ordinances relating to the care and control of animals, filing of complaints, and policies of the shelter to the public; sells rabies vaccination, microchip, or sterilization vouchers to animal owners.
• Performs shelter duties as required; reports need for supplies and maintenance.
• Issues citations for violations of applicable regulations; patrols assigned areas operating County vehicles.
• Captures stray and unlicensed animals for impounding; removes dead animals from public and private properties; transports injured animals and provides for their care.
• May testify in court regarding citations and disposition of complaints.
• Maintains records and prepares daily reports related to work performed.
• Operates humane traps, mobile radios, cellular phones, and related animal control tools and equipment.
• Identifies basic symptoms of common animal diseases and recommends veterinary medical care of isolation to the animal owner.
• May speak to and meet with a variety of community, business and educational organizations to further goals of the program.
• Maintains records of work performed and materials used.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a team.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public

Requirements

• Experience: Animal Control Officer certification and at least one (1) year of previous job experience as an Animal Control Officer AND two (2) years of experience in experience with animals in a shelter or animal control function.
• Education: High School Education/GED; OR an equivalent combination of education.
• Colorado Driver’s License

Knowledge of:

• Behavior and handling of common domestic animals.
• Methods and equipment used in the care and control of animals.
• State and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the proper care and control of animals.
• Safety practices related to the work.
• Basic species and breed identification of a variety of domestic animals.
• Basic symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
• Health and hygiene of animals.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, at all levels of responsibility, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.

Skill in:

• Handling and controlling animals humanely and effectively under stressful or emergency circumstances.
• Assessing animal behavior and making effective decisions regarding handling the animal.
• Identifying symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other common domestic animal diseases.
• Maintaining accurate and legible records and preparing basic reports using Microsoft Office applications.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Speaking English effectively to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Dealing successfully with the public, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.

Physical Activity & Work Environment
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical kennel setting, use standard office equipment; strength and stamina to lift and maneuver animals weighing up to 100 pounds with proper equipment; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

Work is subject to performance while exposed to adverse environmental conditions, loud noises and unpleasant sights and odors; exposure to animal bites and other related injuries; incumbent must be willing to handle injured, ill or dead animals in potentially hazardous situations.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.