Animal Control Officer - Police, Administration/Animal ...

Salary : $39,020.80 - $59,529.60 Annually Location : Columbia, MD Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 26-00288 Department: Police Division: Police - Animal Control Opening Date: 02/26/2026 Closing Date: 3/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION This is animal control work at the full performance level enforcing the relevant sections of the Howard County Code. Assignments include capturing domestic and wild animals and transporting them and working at the animal shelter. Work is performed under general supervision from a technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and performed in accordance with applicable standards and regulations. Contacts with others are extensive and sensitive, including contacts with the public, Police Department, Health Department, and Sheriff's Office, and other public and private organizations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels. Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately. Patrols assigned areas for animals running at large or for other violations of the Howard County Code's animal control provisions; captures, restrains, and transports domestic animals in accordance with the provisions of the Code. Responds to complaints of violations of the animal control provisions of the Code; advises owners of their legal responsibilities for their pet's behavior and health; advises the public on dog license fees and sells license tags. Interviews the public to gather information during investigations. Mirandize suspects/witnesses prior to questioning when appropriate. Writes text for Search and Seizure warrants and applications for statement of charges and may testify in Circuit and District Courts and before the Grand Jury. Examines animals for injuries and advises the animal shelter of such injuries and takes appropriate action as needed to include triage and transporting to emergency medical facilities. Humanely euthanize animals. Prepares comprehensive cruelty and bite investigations and reports and daily logs on animal control activities and vehicle usage. Perform inspections in the field to include private animal shelters, fairs, circuses etc. Works at animal shelter caring for animals and shelter property. Transports animals to the shelter. Is responsible for equipment maintenance. May respond to complaints of injured deer, trapped bats, squirrels, or incidents involving other wild animals. Conduct bike patrols in various areas of the County. Mandatory on call for length of career and unscheduled overtime (at times without notice) on holidays, weekends, and evenings. MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade and some experience dealing with animals other than personal pets is desirable. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS Possession of a valid driver's license. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks. At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources. GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan. PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval. ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next. DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate. PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over. HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day. OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act. RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan. SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate. 457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding. PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement. LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit. DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources. VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance. CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants. 01 Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent? Yes No 02 Are you willing to accept a salary offer within the salary hiring range commensurate with applicable experience/qualifications? $54,995-$60,216 Yes, I am willing to accept the starting salary hiring range. No, I am not willing to accept the starting salary hiring range. 03 Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state "see resume" will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.I have read and understand the language outlined above. Yes No 04 Do you possess experience dealing with animals other than personal pets? Yes No 05 If you possess experience dealing with animals other than personal pets, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 06 Do you possess knowledge of the safety precautions and hazards involved in animal control work? Yes No 07 If you possess knowledge of the safety precautions and hazards involved in animal control work, please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 08 Do you possess knowledge of local regulations that pertain to animal control and the applicable State laws? Yes No 09 If you possess knowledge of local regulations that pertain to animal control and the applicable State laws, please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 10 Do you possess experience performing euthanasia of animals? Yes No 11 If you possess experience performing euthanasia of animals, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 12 Do you possess customer service and public contact experience? Yes No 13 If you possess customer service and public contact experience, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 14 Do you possess experience performing various physical tasks such as chasing and climbing to capture or rescue animals? Yes No 15 If you possess experience performing various physical tasks such as chasing and climbing to capture or rescue animals, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 16 How did you hear about this position? 17 If you indicated "Job Fair" or "Other" in the previous question, please indicate which job you attended and specifically how you became aware of this position. Otherwise, indicate "N/A." 18 Do you possess a valid Maryland driver's license? Yes No 19 I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts. I have read and understand the language outlined above. 20 I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired. I have read and understand the language outlined above. Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04