Animal Control and Licensing Officer I/II (San Jacinto)
County of Riverside
FreshPosted Feb 4
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Posted: February 4, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Animal Control and Licensing Officer I/II (Thousand Palms)
County of Riverside
Animal Services
Location
Riverside, California, 92502-1569
Salary
$24.23 - $37.99
per hour
Type
Closes
February 18, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves patrolling areas to handle animal-related issues, investigating complaints about stray or dangerous animals, and enforcing local and state laws on pet licensing, vaccinations, and control.
Officers respond to public reports, issue citations for violations, and maintain records while working in potentially risky situations.
It's a good fit for someone with strong communication skills, a commitment to animal welfare, and the ability to stay calm under pressure, especially those who enjoy community service and have experience in law enforcement or animal care.
Key Requirements
- Ability to drive and patrol assigned jurisdictions in Riverside County
- Knowledge of and experience enforcing animal control laws, ordinances, and state regulations
- Skills in investigating complaints about stray, injured, or dangerous animals
- Strong verbal and written communication abilities for public interactions and record-keeping
- Conflict resolution skills to handle high-risk or hazardous situations safely
- Availability for on-call duties, weekends, holidays, and a flexible schedule including 9/80 with alternating Mondays off
- Integrity and ability to uphold laws while representing the department in court or appeals
Full Job Description
The County of Riverside's Department of Animal Services is seeking to fill one vacancy for an Animal Control & License Officer I/II located in Thousand Palms.
The incumbent will be responsible for receiving and investigating complaints and reports from the general public, homeowners, business community or other County agencies regarding stray, injured/dangerous or improperly controlled animals. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed patrol records of animal control issues and issuing citations or notices of violations.
The selected candidate must be able to consistently possess the highest level of integrity, while upholding the law: enforcing of Riverside County ordinances and State of California laws pertaining to the licensing, vaccination/disease recognition and treatment of animals.
The most competitive candidates will have strong conflict resolution skills along with effective communication abilities both verbal and written, experience enforcing animal control laws and investigating complaints involving stray or dangerous animals, and the ability to work safely and effectively in occasionally hazardous or high-risk situations.
Incumbents receive training in areas such as, obtaining search warrants, planning and conducting searches, implementing new DAS policies and procedures, training new Animal Control and License Officers both in policy administration and in the field, handling of complex calls, and representing DAS in Superior Court on appeals of dangerous and vicious dog hearings. The training duration varies based on prior experience.
*Training schedule will mirror the field training officer's schedule. Once training is concluded the incumbent will be placed on a weekend schedule to meet department needs.
This position follows a 9/80 schedule Monday - Friday with alternating Mondays off. This position requires being on-call and available on weekend/holidays. Schedule may change to fit department needs.
The level at which the position will be filled is at the discretion of the department.
Salary Range:
Animal Control and License Officer I = $24.23 - $36.07 Hourly
Animal Control and License Officer II $26.59 - $37.99 Hourly
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.
Requirements
• Drive a vehicle to patrol jurisdictions overseen by Riverside County; enforce animal regulations, laws and ordinances; answer questions from the public concerning age, breed, characteristics, care, and treatment of animals; advise the public of legal rights, explaining and interpreting animal control laws, regulations, procedures, and policies; contact dog owners by house-to-house canvassing to locate unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs; check for valid rabies certificates, microchips, and verify signalment; collect and turn in license fees.
• Prepare reports, citations, or notices of violation; maintain records and complete forms concerning animal control and license violations and transactions, proficiently utilizing software and databases relating to DAS.
• Review and revise DAS Animal Control and License Officer policy and procedures; assist in training of new animal control staff on all relevant DAS and County policies.
• Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence and appear in court as a witness, as necessary.
• Respond to high-profile complaints from the Board of Supervisors or contract city; speak at schools and other community groups concerning animal control public services; investigate and inspect County circuses, fairs, and animal shows, as required in collaboration with field team leadership.
• Ensure County vehicles are kept adequately fueled and maintained; inspect vehicles daily prior to use to identify any physical damage; alert supervisor when vehicles are due for maintenance and repair.
ANIMAL CONTROL:
• Receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public and other agencies regarding stray, dangerous, unwanted, or improperly controlled animals; tactfully handle complaints and mitigating concerns; investigate and prepare animal cruelty cases.
• Investigate and prepare animal cruelty cases; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence, prepare, submit, and conduct search and arrest warrants; appear in court as a witness; prepare responses and represent DAS in Superior Court regarding dangerous and vicious dogs; be able to prepare 597.1 and Title 5 responses to pre- and post- seizure hearings.
• Learn to use tranquilizer guns or other means to control dangerous and/or injured animals as a last resort; answer emergency calls concerning persons bitten by animals.
• Quarantine potentially rabid animals; check potentially rabid animals at intervals as directed and release animals from quarantine at the end of a safe time period, as directed; issue citations for violation of the quarantine.
• Pick up and transport stray, confined, sick, injured, or dead animals; impound animals and release impounded animals to owners; segregate, isolate, perform euthanasia, and dispose of ill, injured, unwanted, or aged animals.
• May be assigned to any shift and required to be available on standby or on-call basis.
ANIMAL LICENSING:
• Photograph and gather all pertinent facts of any issues pertaining to violations and citations; create activities in Chameleon database for follow-up with ongoing compliance of issues with the animal's welfare or physical environment.
• Post, file, and maintain citations on a daily basis; research County G.I.S. system for property owner information.
• Refer public to veterinary clinics and/or low-cost or subsidized veterinary services.
• Maintain daily records of canvassing inspections and enforcement efforts; prepare required documentation for legal actions; testify in court proceedings as needed for violations; access centralized information systems or databases to retrieve and enter data.
• Perform property rechecks under certain circumstances to verify compliance.
• May assist during vaccination clinics and/or offsite events as necessary.
• May, on rare occasions, pick-up stray or dead animals with capture equipment (e.g., catch poles, snake tongs, skunk poles, muzzles, nets, and/or cages); scan for microchip and research owner information; if applicable, transport to owner; issue citation for leash law violations and any other animal related violations; may arrange for impound if owner/animal information is not available or owner is not available at the time.
• Prepare reports, citations, or notices of violation; maintain records and complete forms concerning animal control and license violations and transactions, proficiently utilizing software and databases relating to DAS.
• Review and revise DAS Animal Control and License Officer policy and procedures; assist in training of new animal control staff on all relevant DAS and County policies.
• Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence and appear in court as a witness, as necessary.
• Respond to high-profile complaints from the Board of Supervisors or contract city; speak at schools and other community groups concerning animal control public services; investigate and inspect County circuses, fairs, and animal shows, as required in collaboration with field team leadership.
• Ensure County vehicles are kept adequately fueled and maintained; inspect vehicles daily prior to use to identify any physical damage; alert supervisor when vehicles are due for maintenance and repair.
ANIMAL CONTROL:
• Receive and investigate complaints and reports from the public and other agencies regarding stray, dangerous, unwanted, or improperly controlled animals; tactfully handle complaints and mitigating concerns; investigate and prepare animal cruelty cases.
• Investigate and prepare animal cruelty cases; issue violation notices and court citations; collect evidence, prepare, submit, and conduct search and arrest warrants; appear in court as a witness; prepare responses and represent DAS in Superior Court regarding dangerous and vicious dogs; be able to prepare 597.1 and Title 5 responses to pre- and post- seizure hearings.
• Learn to use tranquilizer guns or other means to control dangerous and/or injured animals as a last resort; answer emergency calls concerning persons bitten by animals.
• Quarantine potentially rabid animals; check potentially rabid animals at intervals as directed and release animals from quarantine at the end of a safe time period, as directed; issue citations for violation of the quarantine.
• Pick up and transport stray, confined, sick, injured, or dead animals; impound animals and release impounded animals to owners; segregate, isolate, perform euthanasia, and dispose of ill, injured, unwanted, or aged animals.
• May be assigned to any shift and required to be available on standby or on-call basis.
ANIMAL LICENSING:
• Photograph and gather all pertinent facts of any issues pertaining to violations and citations; create activities in Chameleon database for follow-up with ongoing compliance of issues with the animal's welfare or physical environment.
• Post, file, and maintain citations on a daily basis; research County G.I.S. system for property owner information.
• Refer public to veterinary clinics and/or low-cost or subsidized veterinary services.
• Maintain daily records of canvassing inspections and enforcement efforts; prepare required documentation for legal actions; testify in court proceedings as needed for violations; access centralized information systems or databases to retrieve and enter data.
• Perform property rechecks under certain circumstances to verify compliance.
• May assist during vaccination clinics and/or offsite events as necessary.
• May, on rare occasions, pick-up stray or dead animals with capture equipment (e.g., catch poles, snake tongs, skunk poles, muzzles, nets, and/or cages); scan for microchip and research owner information; if applicable, transport to owner; issue citation for leash law violations and any other animal related violations; may arrange for impound if owner/animal information is not available or owner is not available at the time.
Qualifications
Animal Control and License Officer I
$24.23 - $36.07 Hourly
$4,199.86 - $6,252.91 Monthly
$50,398.30 - $75,034.92 Annually
$24.23 - $36.07 Hourly
$4,199.86 - $6,252.91 Monthly
$50,398.30 - $75,034.92 Annually
Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test.
Experience: Six months in an animal shelter, veterinary office, animal grooming, animal board and kennel facility, or similar setting which included the care and handling of animals.
Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding.
Experience: Six months in an animal shelter, veterinary office, animal grooming, animal board and kennel facility, or similar setting which included the care and handling of animals.
Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding.
Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Other Requirements:
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Incumbent will be driving a county vehicle throughout Riverside County.
A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
Incumbents will be required to successfully complete the Penal Code 832 training within six months of hire.
A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
Incumbents will be required to successfully complete the Penal Code 832 training within six months of hire.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform physically demanding work, including lifting, carrying, restraining, and handling animals of various sizes, including large animals, outdoors in inclement weather conditions.
Animal Control and License Officer II
$26.59 - $37.99 Hourly
$4,608.70 - $6,585.31 Monthly
$55,304.34 - $79,023.70 Annually
$26.59 - $37.99 Hourly
$4,608.70 - $6,585.31 Monthly
$55,304.34 - $79,023.70 Annually
Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test.
Experience: Six months equivalent to a Riverside County Animal Control & License Officer I or equivalent experience with another public agency or private association (i.e., The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane, and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding.
Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Experience: Six months equivalent to a Riverside County Animal Control & License Officer I or equivalent experience with another public agency or private association (i.e., The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane, and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing, treatment, and impounding of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding; techniques of investigation, including interviewing and fact-finding.
Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and other employees; handle animals humanely and safely; discharge firearms safely and accurately; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control and licensing; present evidence and testify in court cases; clearly explain animal control procedures and regulations to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; maintain statistical records; access centralized information systems to retrieve and enter data; effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Other Requirements:
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Incumbent will be driving a county vehicle throughout Riverside County.
A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
Penal Code 832 (P.O.S.T.) certification required for consideration for Animal Control Licensing Officer II.
A series of three Rabies vaccines is required within 30 days of employment.
Penal Code 832 (P.O.S.T.) certification required for consideration for Animal Control Licensing Officer II.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform physically demanding work, including lifting, carrying, restraining, and handling animals of various sizes, including large animals, outdoors in inclement weather conditions.
Additional Information
For questions regarding this recruitment:
Please contact Valeria Ramirez at 951-955-1943 or varamirez@rivco.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
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