Animal Control Warden
Department
Animal Services
Location
Animal Services
Position Type
FT Employee
Salary
Open Date
02/16/2026
Description
Animal Control Warden - Full-Time
Starting salary range: $19.5350 - $21.4256 per hour
Schedule may include days, evenings, holidays, rotating shifts and weekends.
Animal Services facility location: 13060 E. 850 North Rd., Shirley, IL 61772
Position Summary
McLean County Animal Services is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Animal Control Warden to help protect animals and promote public safety. Wardens patrol contracted areas, enforce state and local animal ordinances, and ensure the safe, humane treatment of animals in our care. This position plays a key role in safeguarding both community members and animals across Bloomington, Normal, and 12 surrounding municipalities.
Key Responsibilities
Investigate animal bites and enforce quarantine procedures in accordance with state law.
Respond to public concerns, complaints, and service calls with professionalism and tact.
Apprehend stray, injured, diseased, or aggressive animals; issue citations and testify in court when required.
Patrol assigned areas to locate and remove stray or deceased animals.
Safely capture and handle vicious or hard-to-control animals.
Maintain detailed records of calls, incidents, citations, and daily activities.
Educate the public on ordinances, responsible pet ownership, and animal safety.
Assist in caring for animals in custody, including feeding, watering, cleaning enclosures, and monitoring health.
Maintain vehicles, equipment, and supplies; perform basic preventive maintenance.
Coordinate with law enforcement and other agencies, including after-hours on-call response.
Support adoption assessments and humane euthanasia procedures as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Understanding of animal behavior, disease control, and humane capture techniques.
Familiarity with animal care practices, safety procedures, and use of related equipment.
Ability to interpret and enforce animal control laws and ordinances.
Strong communication, customer service, and conflict-resolution skills.
Competence in recordkeeping and use of computer applications (Word, Excel, etc.).
Ability to make sound, safe decisions in stressful or emergency situations.
Effective teamwork and collaboration with colleagues, officials, and the public.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of experience working with animals (animal control, veterinary practice, or related field), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
This position involves heavy work, requiring the ability to lift up to 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently, and 20 pounds constantly. The role requires standing, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, and other physical activities.
Protective equipment such as gloves, restraining devices, and rabies inoculations are required.
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions, and may involve exposure to traffic, loud noise, animal waste, bites, and potential disease.
Benefits Package
McLean County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Medical Member Rewards Program
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flex Spending Account (FSA)
Dependent Spending Account (DSA)
Supplemental Insurance: Life, Critical Illness and Accident
County provided Life Insurance
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF Pension)
Paid time off: vacation days, personal days, sick days, holidays
Identity Protection
Charitable Giving
Employee Assistance Program
Full pay range: $19.5350 - $29.8943 per hour (upper range based on long term career with McLean County)
About McLean County Government
McLean County Government takes pride in serving our dynamic and fast-growing community. We provide a wide range of services, including public safety, criminal justice, road and bridge maintenance, animal safety and adoptions, vital records management, personal health services, food safety inspections, and park management. Our dedicated team of over 800 employees work across 25 departments to ensure the well-being and growth of our community.
To learn more about McLean County Government and career opportunities, please visit https://mcleancountyil.gov/.
How to Apply
If applying through a third party job board, please fill out an application via McLean County Government’s Job Board located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/2068/Jobs
Confidentiality of your application is maintained upon request.
McLean County Government is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Exempt : No
Type : FT Employee
Department : Animal Services
Location : 8