Animal Protection Officer, Austin Animal Services (2 Positions Available)

Job Description:

Animal Protection Officer, Austin Animal Services (2 Positions Available)

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

This position reports to the Animal Services Supervisor and will enforce the laws and ordinances for the Austin/Travis County residents as they pertain to animal laws. This position will provide education and resources to assist with the Austin Animal Services mission to gain compliance with state and local laws.

Job Description:

Animal Protection Officer

Purpose:

Under general supervision, perform tasks related to rabies control, impoundment, education and prevention services.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Safely and humanely capture and transport animals, including those who are sick, injured or potentially dangerous.
  
• Investigate reports of rabies exposure, dangerous or vicious animals and proper care violations.
  
• Participate in prevention services such as teaching bite prevention classes, responsible pet ownership classes, etc. Contribute to the programs and services that support the shelter’s live outcome goal.
  
• Establish quarantines and oversee home observations.
  
• Respond to observed or reported emergency situations and ordinance violations as well as after-hours emergency calls as needed at the request of citizens and other government agencies such as the Austin Police Department.
  
• Answer citizen questions and provide assistance, education regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance requirements and assist in complaint mediation.
  
• Write reports and record data on appropriate log/forms.
  
• Dispatch service calls to field personnel.
  
• Issue citations; obtain affidavits and testify in court.
  
• Euthanize animals when necessary with understanding and compassion for the animal.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  
• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
  
• Knowledge of State and local laws, regulations and ordinances concerning animal related issues/complaints.
  
• Knowledge of City of Austin and Travis County streets, roads, etc.
  
• Skill in safely handling wild, domestic and livestock animals, including those with unknown temperament.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
  
• Skill in the use of tools used to capture, restrain and transport animals.
  
• Skill in verbal and written communication, including the ability to draft grammatically correct, concise reports under strict deadlines.
  
• Skill in public speaking.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing and problem solving under pressure.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to identify animal species and breeds.
  
• Ability to diffuse heated encounters, both human and animal.
  
• Adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (1) year of experience in a field related to customer service
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.
• Basic Animal Control Training must be completed within six (6) months of hire.
  
• Notary Public must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.
  
• Euthanasia Technician course must be completed and must pass exam within (6) months of hire.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Customer service experience with face-to-face customer interaction on a regular basis and/or in a field setting.
  
• Demonstrated experience handling animals in a work or volunteer setting.
  
• Demonstrated report writing and data entry, with clear and thorough documentation that is concise and easy to understand.
  
• Demonstrated experience building and developing relationships across community networks or community-based programs.
  
• Bilingual (Spanish).
  

Notes to Candidate:

Who Are We?
Austin Animal Services’ mission is to enhance the lives of pets and people by preventing animal homelessness, to help lost pets find their way home or find new homes, to provide education and resources to preserve the human-animal bond, and to administer animal-related ordinances to ensure public and animal safety, all while achieving a 95% live outcome rate for sheltered pets.
We offer outstanding benefits including several health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click City of Austin Benefits for more information.

Regarding Your Application: Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. A cover letter and résumé are required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.

Pay Rate: $23.13 - $26.26

Hours:

There are two (2) open positions; work schedules for each position are below.

Sunday - Wednesday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Includes one weekend day)

Monday - Friday, 10:30 PM - 7:00 AM (Overnights - will include overnight pay differential)

PLEASE NOTE: Austin Animal Services is not a 100% remote operation.

This position is considered “essential;” employees may be required to report to work when the City of Austin offices are otherwise closed (bad weather, etc.).

Work Location: Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop, Bldg. A, Austin, TX 78702

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Class “C” Texas Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. The job offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

If you are selected to interview: Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference.

If you are selected for hire: You must provide proof of education which may include your official college transcript, High School diploma, GED or equivalent degree and your professional licenses. A Criminal Background check (CBI) will be conducted.

Additional Information: Austin Public Health/Austin Animal Services’ worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any APH/AAS worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other sections within the Division. Decisions on assigned section will be made at the time of hire based on business needs.

PLEASE NOTE: this posting may close any time after 7 days.

Essential Employee:
This position has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once the position has been unposted, it will no longer be viewable.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-04-22