Animal Services Investigator (Animal Control Officer III)

Are you an enthusiastic individual looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of animals and the community? At the Fairfax County Animal Services (FCAS), we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to the animals in our shelter, while also working to tackle the root causes of animal homelessness in our community. We are hiring an Animal Services Investigator!

About Us:
FCAS delivers compassionate, high-quality care for animals and works with the community to advance their safety and well-being. FCAS operates two state-of-the-art, open-access sheltering campuses, providing individualized care to approximately 4,000-5,000 animals each year. We provide comprehensive support for pets and the community, offering adoption and stray reunification services as well as volunteer, foster, and community cat programs. In addition, FCAS delivers animal control and public safety response, conducts humane investigations of animal cruelty, and offers community-based assistance to help pets remain safely with their families.

This work and commitment are reflected in the work of our highly trained staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers, alongside community members who share our belief that all animals deserve compassion, dignity, and safety.

To learn more about Fairfax County Animal Services, please visit our webpage here.

What You'll Do:
The Field Services Division enforces animal-related laws and regulations throughout Fairfax County. As an Animal Services Investigator (ASI), you will conduct complex investigations involving animal cruelty, dangerous animals, and other specialized animal welfare matters while ensuring compliance with state and local laws.

In this role, you will serve as a leader within the department, providing expertise, guidance, and mentorship on complex animal services issues. You will work closely with residents, partner agencies, and regional stakeholders to promote responsible animal ownership, support public safety initiatives, and enhance animal welfare outcomes.

This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day by protecting animals, safeguarding the community, and strengthening the relationship between people and animals throughout Fairfax County.

Flexibility is a condition of employment. All FCAS positions are subject to assignment to any shift, schedule, or facility based on operational needs. This includes, but is not limited to, changes in work hours, shift days and times, and reassignment between department facilities or locations at any time. Employees may be directed to work alternative schedules or locations as required to support department operations.

This job announcement may be used to fill future full-time Animal Services Investigators (Animal Control Officer III) vacancies.

Schedule: Schedule will vary depending on staffing levels and department needs as Field Services staff are considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster). Required to work early mornings, evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays.

Salary: The salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint ($73,567.94 to $101,156.02) of the advertised compensation range. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools' employees.

For more information about a career with Field Services, visit here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited college or university with associate's degree in animal science, veterinary science, zoology, wildlife management, or law enforcement; plus, three (3) years in law enforcement, military service, animal services, animal control, or other animal-related experience involving animal care and handling; including at least one (1) year of related experience in a team lead or supervisory role.

• Valid Driver's License (Required at the time of application)
• Certification in Animal Control Officer (ACO) Basic Training, approved by the Virginia State Veterinarian's Office, is required within 12 months of employment, with recertification required every 36 months.
• Virginia Humane Euthanasia Competency Certification is required within six (6) months of employment, with recertification required every 36 months.
• Virginia Chemical Capture Competency Certification within six (6) months of employment, with recertification required every 36 months.
• Fear Free Shelter Certification is required within three (3) months of employment, with recertification as required.
• Certification in long rifle firearms proficiency is required within six (6) months of employment, with recertification every 24 months.
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification is required six (6) months of employment, with recertification required every 24 months.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification is required within six (6) months of employment, with recertification required every 24 months.
• First Aid certification is required within six (6) months of employment, with recertification required every 24 months.
• Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN) is required within six (6) months of employment, with recertification every 24 months

• This position is considered Emergency Service Personnel to ensure the continuity of essential operations, and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:
  • Criminal Background Investigation
  • Driving Record Check
  • Pre-employment Medical Evaluation
  • Psychological Exam

• A general interest in animal welfare, animal sheltering, and public service.
• At least five years of experience in animal control or animal crimes, with a focus on conducting investigations and/or training others in investigative techniques.

• Ability to work effectively in emotionally charged and/or highly stressful situations.
• Ability to work outdoors as well as indoors and be subject to variable weather conditions and exposure to potentially infectious diseases, viruses, noxious fumes and chemicals or allergies, as well as wetness and moisture. Must not have allergies to animals or animal supplies (ex: hay, peanut butter, etc.) that will impede working in an animal environment.
• Create materials and operate equipment necessary to complete work tasks.
• Drive county or personal vehicle to travel throughout Fairfax County and other jurisdictions to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.
• Engage with residents, businesses, visitors, staff, volunteers, and others in person, via e-mail, and on the phone. Deliver presentations and/or testify in person and virtually.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions (reasonable accommodation may be made on a case-by-case-basis).
• Must be able to work a shift work schedule which includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; shift work schedule is subject to change; and on-call rotation that includes evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours which may require immediate response into the field. This position is considered "Emergency Service Personnel" and must report to work and drive an animal control vehicle in emergency conditions and on holidays.
• Must have current pre-exposure rabies vaccination or obtain within three (3) months.
• Must have the ability to safely capture/impound, lift, carry, handle, move, and restrain animals of various species, sizes, conditions, and temperament including fractious and dangerous animals over 100 pounds; negotiate various terrain, bend, stand, stoop, kneel, reach, crawl, climb stairs, walk, sit, run, and be comfortable doing these activities for extended periods of time; hear, speak, touch, feel, smell, see with close vision, depth perception, color vision, adjust focus; frequently exposed to loud noises above 95 decibels such as barking of dogs and other animal noises; and firmly grasp, handle, feel and have wrist extension and rotation on a frequent basis. Maneuver safely in/on resident/business property, kennels, dog play yards, cat rooms, small animal room, off-site events, etc. This is a physically demanding occupation with the risk of injury.
• Must possess the ability to manage criticism and hostility from the public with tact and good judgment.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

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Requisition 26-01700