What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Control Officer II position at City of Columbia, MO?
The purpose of this job is to serve as a lead field officer enforcing animal control laws, responding to high-risk situations, and providing training and guidance to field officers while assisting supervisors with operations and shift leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities - The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description
- Serves as a lead worker overseeing shift activities and work assignments.
- Responds to and investigates emergency, high-risk, or complex field situations, including dangerous animal captures, impoundments, bite investigations, and animal cruelty cases.
- Enforces local ordinances and state statutes regarding animal control.
- Communicates professionally with the public to explain animal control laws, educate owners on responsible pet care, and de-escalate volatile field interactions.
- Completes detailed incident reports, issues citations, gathers evidence, and presents clear testimony in administrative hearings or court proceedings.
- Responds to calls for escaped pets to safely capture and transports intake animals as necessary.
- Inputs and maintains data and case documentation.
- Provides technical guidance and on-the-job training to Animal Control Officer I staff.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- No supervisory authority. Work requires providing guidance and training to others.
- This position may oversee work quality, training, instruction and work assignments.
Human Collaboration and Job Impact - This area describes the personal interaction with others outside direct reporting relationships as well as the impact the job has on organization, the department or unit objectives, the output of services, or employee or public satisfaction
- Interactions may result in decisions regarding implementation of policies. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions with the public requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.
- Interactions have limited impact on the organization in terms of time, money, or public/employee relations.
Fiscal Responsibility
- Position has limited fiscal responsibility.
- May assist in the collection of data in support of recommendations for departmental budget allocations. May monitor work unit or program/promotional level budget and expenditures.
Education and Experience - An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered
Education and Experience
- High School diploma or equivalent required.
- 1 to 3 years of professional experience with animal handling and control.
Licenses or Certifications
- Valid driver’s license.
- Animal Control Officer Certification through Missouri Animal Control Association.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position
Knowledge of:
- Animal behavior.
- Basic business English usage, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Relevant laws and regulations pertaining to city, county, and state animal-related ordinances.
- Investigative standards, evidentiary requirements and legal processes.
- Common business software applications such as Microsoft Office.
Skill in:
- Applying active listening and asking questions for understanding.
- Typing and/or data entry with minimal errors.
- Providing high levels of effective customer service.
- Modeling best practices related to enforcement decisions, investigations, animal handling, and safety.
- Providing technical guidance and training to others.
- Identifying animal breeds and interpreting animal behavior and body language.
Ability to:
- Safely handle and capture all types of animals, including aggressive, sick and/or injured animals.
- Maintain detailed and accurate records.
- Write and present reports.
- Render credible testimony.
- Comprehend, interpret and consistently enforce animal control regulations with sound independent judgment.
- Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
- Regularly use a computer, software, phone and related office equipment.
- Handle and count money collected for impoundment, boarding, microchipping, permit and licensing fees.
- Work on-call and respond at all hours of the day and night.
- Focus on tasks.
Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job
Work Environment
- Office or similar indoor environment – Frequently or Often
- Outdoor environment – Frequently or Often
- Street environment (near moving traffic) – Frequently or Often
- Confined space – Sometimes
- Vehicle – Frequently or Often
- Right of way environment – Sometimes
- Other: Residential homes – Frequently or Often
Exposures
- Idividuals who are hostile or irate – Frequently or Often
- Individuals with known violent backgrounds – Sometimes
- Extreme cold (below 32 degrees) – Sometimes
- Extreme heat (above 100 degrees) – Sometimes
- Communicable diseases – Frequently or Often
- Fumes or airborne particles – Sometimes
- Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances – Sometimes
- Loud noises (85 decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammer, construction) – Sometimes
- Other: Aggressive animals – Frequently or Often
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- This position involves frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards and majority of work is performed outside or with exposure to risk.
- Incumbents may be required to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
- Incumbents frequently required to feel attributes of objects, grasp, push, drive, run, reach with hands/arms, stoop/crouch, climb/balance and operate mechanical equipment.
- This position requires clarity of vision, and ability to distinguish colors to identify animals.
Hours/Days
Starting Salary
25.82
Pay Grade
108
Number of Positions Available
2
Deadline to Apply
10/30/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Notice to Applicants
Individuals needing accommodation to apply may call 573.874.CITY (2489)
TTY: 711 (MO RELAY)
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA IS A MERIT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: MALE / FEMALE
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA REQUIRES PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING
The City of Columbia participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program
TTY: 711 (MO RELAY)
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA IS A MERIT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: MALE / FEMALE
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA REQUIRES PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING
The City of Columbia participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program
Salary : $26