Animal Control Officer

Date Opened:
Friday, January 16, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date:
Friday, January 23, 2026 12:00 AM

Department:
General Services Department

Salary: $24.00 - $29.20 Commensurate with Experience

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

Under general supervision, the Animal Control Officer is responsible for enforcing local and state animal control laws to ensure the safety of the public and the humane treatment of animals. Officers respond to a wide variety of calls, including cases of cruelty, neglect, and aggressive or stray animals. This position requires strong communication, independent judgment, and the ability to work in high-stress and emotionally charged environments.

Officers may be required to work varying shifts, weekends, and holidays.

• Respond to calls from the public regarding animal-related incidents including cruelty, neglect, strays, or attacks
• Investigate animal cruelty and neglect cases, gather evidence, and prepare documentation for prosecution
• Enforce local and state animal control laws through warnings or citations
• Capture and transport stray, injured, aggressive, or abandoned animals
• Testify in court proceedings related to animal cruelty ordinance violations
• Provide food, water, and basic care for animals in CMACC custody
• Clean and maintain animal transport vehicles, equipment, and facilities
• Educate the public on responsible pet ownership and animal control ordinances
• Maintain detailed records of impoundments, investigations, and animal outcomes
• Respond to inquiries from the public about animal laws, shelter services, or animal care
• Conduct inspections of animal-related establishments for licensing or ordinance compliance
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Knowledge of applicable state and local laws governing animal care and control
• Familiarity with court procedures, regulations, and compliance requirements
• Safe handling techniques for both small and large domestic and wild animals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in basic computer operations and clerical systems (e.g., recordkeeping, data entry)
• Ability to work independently using sound judgment in urgent and stressful situations
• Strong customer service skills with sensitivity to diverse populations
• Capable of following detailed procedures and conveying information clearly
• Adaptability to changing environments and ability to manage multiple responsibilities
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

• High school diploma or GED
• One (1) year of related experience in animal care, enforcement, or a public-facing service role
• Must possess a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License
• Must be able to successfully pass all pre-employment screenings
• Must complete NACA ACO I Certification program within 6 months of hire

• Ability to sit, stand, climb, walk, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, push, and pull
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying; may lift heavy animals or equipment
• Adequate vision, hearing, and speech to perform essential duties

• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Exposure to loud noise, hazardous materials, contagious diseases, and aggressive animals
• Work includes interaction with upset or distressed community members
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and masks may be required
• Must comply with OSHA safety standards

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written…