What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Handler - Police Department, Administration Command, Animal Control Division position at Howard County Government?
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
This is routine animal handling and control work, caring for animals confined at the County Animal Shelter, maintaining related records, and assisting with shelter clerical functions. Assignments include cleaning and maintaining all facilities at the Animal Shelter and surrounding area; food preparation and feeding of animals; and providing animal health care. Clerical duties include serving as radio dispatcher for Animal Control Wardens; answering phone inquiries from the public; working at the public assistance counter; and assisting with other clerical functions. Work is performed under close supervision from a technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and performed in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$23.20 - $24.38/Hourly
$48,247 - $50,711/Annually
*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.
**This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*
*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.*
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Any combination of education and experience which has provided the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities required in the routine care and maintenance of animals confined to the County animal shelter and in the performance of basic clerical responsibilities. Experience in animal handling is preferred.
CERTFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
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 the essential functions.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Heavy lifting and manual dexterity are required.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment consists of working within the shelter and transporting animals to the veterinarian using a county vehicle. This is an extremely fast-paced and highly stressful work environment. Employees are exposed to dangerous, rabid and diseased domestic animals, exotics and wildlife. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
This is routine animal handling and control work, caring for animals confined at the County Animal Shelter, maintaining related records, and assisting with shelter clerical functions. Assignments include cleaning and maintaining all facilities at the Animal Shelter and surrounding area; food preparation and feeding of animals; and providing animal health care. Clerical duties include serving as radio dispatcher for Animal Control Wardens; answering phone inquiries from the public; working at the public assistance counter; and assisting with other clerical functions. Work is performed under close supervision from a technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and performed in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$23.20 - $24.38/Hourly
$48,247 - $50,711/Annually
*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.
**This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*
*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.*
Animal Care and Husbandry:
- Feed and water animals.
- Walk, exercise, and socialize animals.
- Clean, disinfect, and maintain cages, kennels, and surrounding areas.
- Perform physical examinations; check for tattoos and microchips; trace license and rabies tags.
- Bathe and groom animals.
- Administer vaccinations, medications, first aid, fluids, and wound treatments.
- Quarantine animals suspected of rabies.
- Chart drugs and treatments administered.
Animal Handling and Safety:
- Capture and restrain animals safely.
- Handle all species including reptiles, amphibians, domestic animals, exotics, wildlife, livestock, and insects.
- Control animals that pose a safety risk.
- Euthanize animals as directed.
Customer Service and Public Interaction:
- Interview adoption applicants and assist in adoption and euthanasia decisions.
- Communicate effectively with the public regarding animal control laws, nuisance wildlife deterrents, proper pet care and training, behavior modification, preventative veterinary care, and disease recognition.
- Resolve conflicts and confrontational situations tactfully.
- Conduct humane education programs and facility tours.
Administrative and Clerical Duties:
- Write detailed records and complete complex forms related to animal adoptions, redemptions, intake, and licensing transactions.
- Handle cash transactions, prepare receipts, and operate the cash register.
- Answer multi-line phones and operate office equipment.
- Assist with general clerical and administrative tasks.
Operations and Equipment Use:
- Transport animals as needed.
- Operate specialized animal control equipment, pressure washers, and use chemicals/disinfectants appropriately.
Work Environment and Schedule:
- Works, days, evening, night, weekend, holiday, and on-call shifts; mandatory overtime may occur without advance notice.
Other Duties:
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Any combination of education and experience which has provided the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities required in the routine care and maintenance of animals confined to the County animal shelter and in the performance of basic clerical responsibilities. Experience in animal handling is preferred.
CERTFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.
- Must become certified in euthanasia within six (6) months of hire date.
- Experience in animal handling is preferred.
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 the essential functions.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Heavy lifting and manual dexterity are required.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment consists of working within the shelter and transporting animals to the veterinarian using a county vehicle. This is an extremely fast-paced and highly stressful work environment. Employees are exposed to dangerous, rabid and diseased domestic animals, exotics and wildlife. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Salary : $48,247 - $78,262