Community Service Officer

About the role

In this hands-on, public-facing role, you’ll support residents, respond to a wide range of service calls, help address animal, parking, traffic and property concerns, and patrol the community for ordinance violations—all while providing professional and courteous communication and practical assistance when it matters most.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Pay

Hiring range: $25.13–$26.13 per hour ($52,286–$54,369 annually). Full salary range extends to $35.40 per hour. Annual salary increase on anniversary date; 6% COLA increase in January 2027 per union contract.

Responsibilities

• Responds to calls for service and complaints including animal complaints, animal bites, lost and found animals, wild animals, injured, diseased or deceased animals, animal cruelty and abuse, parking and traffic complaints, impound and release of vehicles, graffiti complaints, found and/or stolen property.
• Helps manage the department’s animal pound, including daily care of animals and the facility.
• Patrols the city to observe for ordinance violations.
• Prepares reports and/or issues citations on incidents; conducts follow‑up and testifies in court if required.
• Makes deliveries to various city departments and locations.
• Assists with set‑up and traffic control for city events such as parades and marathons.
• Prepares property for city public auctions.
• Assists with fleet management and coordinating vehicle maintenance.
• Performs other duties as requested.
• Attendance at off‑site courses, trainings, or seminars may be required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• General knowledge of city ordinances, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and state law.
• General knowledge of the geography of the city and location of important buildings.
• General knowledge of animal control manuals and procedures.
• Skill in using unlocking tools and operating motor vehicles.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear, comprehensive reports.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and applicable software packages, including vehicle systems.
• Ability to operate radio communication devices.
• Ability to operate animal capture and chemical immobilization equipment.
• Ability to operate various vehicle maintenance equipment.
• Ability to deal courteously but firmly with the public under adverse circumstances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with associates and the general public.

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Regular exertion of up to 25 lb of force; frequent exertion of up to 100 lb; occasional exertion over 100 lb.
• Regularly requires walking, speaking, hearing, and lifting; frequently requires standing, using hands to finger/handle/feel, climbing or balancing, pushing/pulling, and repetitive motions; occasionally requires sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, and tasting/smelling.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision, and peripheral vision.
• Vocal communication required for expressing ideas and conveying detailed instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing required for normal spoken word levels and detailed oral information.
• Visual inspection involving small defects/parts, measuring devices, assembly/fabrication within arm’s length, operating machines, motor vehicles/equipment, and observing surroundings.
• Regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions; frequent exposure to uncontrolled animals; occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, heights, fumes/airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals, extreme cold/heat (non‑weather), electrical shock risk, self‑contained breathing apparatus, bloodborne pathogens, specialized PPE, and traffic conditions.
• Work environment generally moderately noisy (e.g., business office, light traffic).

Pre‑screening

An extensive criminal history background check, fingerprinting, motor vehicle driving record check, and employment work history check are conducted.

Benefits

• Positive, friendly, team‑oriented culture.
• Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending plan, HSA.
• Generous paid time off plans, including ESST and 11 paid holidays.
• Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) pension.
• Deferred compensation plan.
• Continuing education and career development opportunities.
• Flexibility to support work‑life balance.
• Ability to make a difference in the community.