Animal Control Workers

Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $31K
Median Salary: $38K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $48K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $61K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.

Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.

Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.

Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.

Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.

Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.

Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.

Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.

Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.

Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.

Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.

Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.

Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.

Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.

Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.

Train police officers in dog handling and training techniques for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics and bomb detection.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
Graphics or photo imaging software
Microsoft Visio
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
Geographic information system GIS software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Microsoft SharePoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Animal containment and habitats
Animal cages
Communications Devices and Accessories
Mobile radios
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Fishing and hunting equipment
Animal control shotguns
Hand tools
Snake tongs
Light weapons and ammunition
Electro muscular disruption devices EMDD
Material handling machinery and equipment
Cable winches
Motor vehicles
Work trucks
Patient exam and monitoring products
Veterinary stethoscopes
Pest control products
Snake hooks
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Compact digital cameras
Pneumatic machinery and equipment
Blowguns
Saddlery and harness goods
Dog muzzles
Security surveillance and detection
Wildlife cameras
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
88%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Law and Government
87%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Public Safety and Security
81%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

English Language
73%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Clerical
69%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Administration and Management
67%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Psychology
64%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Telecommunications
61%
Importance

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Communications and Media
55%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Biology
54%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
75%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking
75%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
70%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension
63%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation
63%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness
63%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Learning
60%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
60%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
80%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning
70%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
68%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Speech Clarity
68%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension
68%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Far Vision
65%
Importance

The ability to see details at a distance.

Near Vision
65%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Recognition
65%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Top 10 Work Activities
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
88%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Documenting/Recording Information
87%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
86%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
85%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Getting Information
85%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
84%
Importance

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
84%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
82%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Performing General Physical Activities
80%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
80%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.

Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.

Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.

Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.

Provide care for animals.

Maintain operational records.

Write operational reports.

Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.

Check physical condition of people or animals.

Issue warnings or citations.

Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.

Clean facilities or equipment.

Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.

Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.

Examine personal documentation to ensure that it is valid.

Train employees in proper work procedures.

Work Context
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Education
Interests
Realistic
96%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional
58%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social
58%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative
48%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Enterprising
29%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Artistic
19%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
94%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
94%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Self Control
94%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance
94%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Independence
93%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Cooperation
92%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Adaptability/Flexibility
90%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Attention to Detail
90%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative
89%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Concern for Others
85%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Work Values
Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Relationships
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Achievement
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
39%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.