Animal Control Officer

City of Auburn (Washington) provided pay range

This range is provided by City of Auburn (Washington). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$77,871.60/yr - $92,488.80/yr

The City of Auburn Police Department (APD) is seeking a dedicated Animal Control Officer who is passionate about animal welfare, public safety, and community service. This is a rewarding, hands‑on role where you'll make a visible difference every day – protecting animals, supporting residents, and helping maintain a safe, humane community.

As a member of APD's professional non‑commissioned team, you'll work independently and collaboratively to respond to animal-related calls, resolve conflicts, and enforce state and local animal control laws. This position offers meaningful field work
, opportunities for community education
, and involvement in investigations and court proceedings
, all within a supportive department that values professionalism, trust, and service.

This is a union‑represented, full‑time position covered under the IAM Collective Bargaining Agreement (effective 1/1/25 - 12/31/27). The salary range listed on the announcement is the base salary, and the hiring salary is anticipated to be $6,489.30 per month
, but may be higher depending upon recent experience.

Employees are eligible for the following premium pays after a defined period of time:

• After three (3) months of service: eligible for Bilingual Pay of 3% after passing a City‑approved bilingual examination. If you are proficient in sign language or fluently speak one or more of the following languages, this premium may be available for you:
  Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Ukrainian, Arabic, Farsi, Vietnamese, Laotian. The Chief of Police may approve additional languages.
• After completion of probation or one (1) year of service: eligible for Education Premium of 1% (for an Associate's Degree) or 3% (for a Bachelor's Degree). Members of this bargaining unit are also eligible for a 2% premium pay for Drone Part 107 and National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Certifications.
• After five (5) years of service: eligible for Longevity Premium of 2%. Premiums increase based on a schedule outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement up to 10% after 25 years of service.

In this role, you will make a difference by performing a wide range of duties focused on animal welfare, public safety, and ordinance enforcement.

• Enforcing civil codes and disposition of violations, including resolution by voluntary compliance, issuing notices of violations, corrective orders, infractions, or orders to cease activity.
• Assisting the Police department and the City Attorney's office in cases involving animals, participating in court case preparation and testifying in court. You will communicate with complainants, victims, and suspects, and maintain the chain of custody on all evidence.
• Acquiring information concerning animal control law violations within the patrol area, organizing and prioritizing routine and emergency calls, and taking action or relaying information to the proper authority.
• Responding to reports of vicious animals, animal cruelty or neglect, animal pick‑up and confinement, and property damage complaints. You will investigate these reports by interviewing individuals and attempt to resolve cases efficiently and effectively.
• Apprehending, controlling, and confining loose, unlicensed, injured, abandoned, or dangerous animals – both domestic and livestock. You will assess and evaluate the condition of animals to determine appropriate courses of action. You will make efforts to locate owners before impounding animals and, if a pet owner is not known, you will transport animals to the appropriate location. You will be responsible for ensuring proper arrangements for severely injured or diseased animals, which may include authorizing euthanasia.
  
  You will be tasked with retrieving dead animals, handling animals safely and properly, administering vaccines, and following proper cleaning and sanitizing protocols.
• Managing animal…