Animal Services Investigator (Animal Control Officer III)

Salary : $73,567.94 - $128,743.89 Annually
Location : ANIMAL SHELTER, 4500 WEST OX RD, FAIRFAX (EJ13), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 26-01700
Department: Animal Services
Opening Date: 11/07/2026
Closing Date: 12/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S25
Posting Type: Open to General Public

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.
Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced investigations and respond to a broad range of animal-related cases, including dangerous animal, cruelty, and neglect cases.
• Serve as a leader within the department and the region by providing training, mentorship, and expertise to strengthen investigative practices and outcomes.
• Safely rescue, handle, and transport domestic animals and wildlife, and perform humane euthanasia when necessary in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively with the public, coworkers, and government officials regarding animal-related laws, violations, corrective actions, and programs such as spay/neuter initiatives and rabies prevention.
• Gather evidence, prepare detailed investigative reports, issue summonses, and provide testimony in court proceedings involving animal-related offenses.
• Collaborate with Fairfax County agencies and external partners, including the Police Department, Department of Wildlife Resources, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Department, Code Compliance, and other organizations.
• Conduct educational outreach to promote animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Provide direct care, enrichment, and support for animals in FCAS custody to ensure their health, safety, and well-being.

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.

• Be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a difference for animals and the community.
• Enjoy a challenging, rewarding career with clear opportunities for growth.
• Contribute to a department known for its innovative practices and high standards in animal welfare.

For more information about a career with Field Services, visithere.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(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.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• 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

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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 ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

#LI-NW1

Requisition 26-01700
NA
01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate your area(s) of study or major(s)/minor(s) towards a degree. Check all that apply.

• Animal science
• Veterinary science
• Zoology
• Wildlife management
• Criminal justice/law enforcement
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working in law enforcement, military service, animal services, animal control, or other animal-related experience involving animal care and handling?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

06

How many years of full-time equivalent related experience do you have working in a team lead or supervisory role?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four year