Animal Control Officer

Examination Information

The exam may be computerized, or a traditional pencil and paper designed to test the objectives of the duties and minimum qualifications of the classification.

Examples of Duties

• Patrols assigned areas within the City to detect and prevent violations of animal control ordinances and regulations.
• Responds to incidents including stray animals, animal bites, noise complaints, and animal cruelty.
• Chases, apprehends, impounds, and transports domestic, exotic, and wild animals that are stray, injured, and diseased.
• Uses snares, catch poles, and traps to capture and impound animals.
• Places animals in animal service vehicle.
• Transports captured animals to the City's animal shelter.
• Investigates incidents involving animal cruelty, animal bites, and animal nuisances reported by members of the public.
• Interviews complainants, victims, and witnesses in order to collect information on possible violations of animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Identifies, collects, and preserves evidence pertaining to investigations of animal cruelty.
• Identifies the owners of animals that are the subject of an investigation.
• Gives verbal and written warnings as well as citations to animal owners and animal handlers who have violated ordinances and regulations related to animal control.
• Prepares incident reports and completes all forms pertaining to animal control activities.
• Assists Cleveland Safety Forces and other city departments by handling animals that are present at crime scenes.
• Assists bailiffs by handling animals present during evictions.
• Testifies in court and at hearings on the enforcement of animal control citations and other matters relating to animal control.
• Performs kennel duties as required by handling, feeding, cleaning, and providing care to animals; maintains the sanitary conditions of kennels.
• Handles domestic, exotic, and wild animals that are stray, injured, and diseased.
• Performs euthanasia procedures on injured, sick, dangerous, or unwanted animals by means of lethal injection (when certified).
• Operates a two-way portable radio, an animal control service vehicle, catch poles, traps, needles, syringes, computers and other various pieces of office equipment.
• Provides customer service to residents and customers that enter the kennel.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or GED is required.
• The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the animal handling/sheltering/care field is preferred but, not required.
• Must obtain certification as a Euthanasia Technician within one year of the date of employment.
• A valid State of Ohio Driver's License is required.
• Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Must be computer proficient and have the ability to learn RMS system and Divisional computer programs.

Supplemental Information

• RESIDENCY CREDIT: A person who has had as his/her primary residence in the City of Cleveland for at least one year at the time of filing a Civil Service application, and desires to take an entry-level Civil Service examination, shall, if a passing grade on the written examination is attained, have ten (10) points added to his/her passing score.
• CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (CMSD) PREFERENCE CREDIT: An applicant who is a graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and is participating in an open competitive entrance-level examination, as determined by the Commission, shall receive an additional five (5) points upon achieving a passing score, as established in the examination announcement.
• VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Veterans' preference will be awarded, when applicable, to eligible veterans in accordance with Civil Service Rules 4.40E, 4.40F and 4.40G. Proof of active service or a DD Form 214, must be presented to the Commission at the time of filing application for the examination in which credit is sought in order to qualify for veterans' credit.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin/ancestry, military status, disability, age and religion.

The City's guiding principles are as follows:

• Placing Clevelanders at the Center,
• Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work,
• Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives,
• Leading with Trust and Transparency,
• Striving for Equity in All We Do,
• Embracing Change.