Animal Care Services Manager

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Job Title – Animal Care Services Manager
Location-Sacramento, CA
Full Time Role

Onsite Role

Job Summary

The Animal Care Services Manager oversees the planning, administration, and daily operations of the Animal Services Division. This role leads staff, manages budgets and policies, ensures compliance with animal welfare laws and regulations, and coordinates with City departments, public agencies, and the community to deliver efficient, humane, and effective animal care and control services.

Definition :
Under limited direction, the Animal Care Services Manager performs responsible and complex administrative management duties in managing a division; plans, coordinates, directs and reviews the activities of the Animal Services Division; develops division policies, procedures goals and objectives; serves as liaison and coordinates projects; and provides professional and technical staff assistance to the Director of Community Development Department.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
Duties are primarily administrative/managerial in nature, and the incumbent performs work involving significant authority for various day-to-day operations within the Animal Care Services Division. The incumbent interfaces frequently with public officials, State/Federal/Local agencies, other public/private organizations, and the general public. The incumbent works extensively with Community Development Department managers/staff, other City employees, various public/private organizations and the general public. This class is distinguished from the Chief Animal Control Officer in that the latter is the first line supervisor over field operations while the this classification has broader overall responsibility for management of the division.

Supervision Exercised and Received:
Limited direction is received from the Community Development Director. Responsibilities include direct and indirect supervision of supervisory, technical, and support personnel.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, organizes, staffs, directs, and controls a wide range of activities to manage the division; establishes priorities and business plans; oversees the development and implementation of Division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures in accordance with the Department's core purpose, mission, vision, and values; develops and oversees the implementation of strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Division operations; monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of Division work products through quality control and related activities; directs, develops, recommends, and oversees the administration of Division budgets.
• Selects, assigns, trains, directs, and evaluates subordinate staff, including subordinate, supervisors, technicians, and others; provides professional and technical guidance to staff; oversees and implements disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Monitors legislation and assures Division compliance with laws, regulations, statutes, and codes related to animal services; informs and educates staff regarding changes and new issues.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with Community Development Department managers/staff, City managers/employees, public and private agencies, the general public and others; coordinates Division activities with these groups/individuals as appropriate; represents the Department as assigned; receives and oversees staff responses to citizen inquiries and/or complaints; participates on committees and task forces as assigned; conducts and/or attends meetings, classes, conferences and workshops.
• Directs and/or participates in the preparation of complex statistical and narrative reports, correspondence, and other documents, including those required by law; makes presentations to individuals and/or groups as required.
• Manages special projects such as special animal adoption and spay/neuter events.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed may necessarily be performed by each individual holding this classification.

Qualifications:
Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of animal services management, including the areas related to animal licensing, animal recovery/sheltering, pet adoption, and reuniting lost/found pets with owners.
• Occupational hazards related to animal services operations, and appropriate safety practices.
• Principles and practices of modern public administration including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.
• Principles and practices of human resources management, supervision, and training.
• Public relations practices and techniques.
• Current literature, laws, regulations, and developments, as well as various agencies that impact municipal animal services operations.
• Research methods; report writing techniques; statistical concepts and methods.
• Principles and techniques of project management.

Skill in

• Use of modern office equipment including computers, computer applications and software.
• Conflict resolution and teambuilding.
• Effective leadership and mentoring employees.
• Developing strategies for advancing progressive humane education care programs.

Ability to:

• Manage a large city administrative operation; meet critical deadlines; make decisions under pressure.
• Supervise subordinate personnel, including supervisors and technical staff.
• Develop, recommend, and administer policies and procedures necessary for efficient and effective animal services management.
• Develop, administer, and control a large budget.
• Read and interpret complex laws and regulations impacting animal services activities; explain complex animal services issues to others.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials/managers, co-workers, public/private agencies, and the general public on a variety of issues.
• Prepare and present complex narrative and statistical reports, correspondence, and other documents.

Experience and Education:

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Three years of management-level supervisory and administrative experience in the operation of a municipal shelter or animal control facility.

-AND-
Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in public or business administration, one of the biological sciences, law enforcement, or a closely related field.

Substitution:
An additional four years of qualifying management-level experience may substitute for the required education.

Special Qualifications:
Driver License:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Permit:

• Possession of a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board must be obtained within twelve (12) months of appointment. Failure to obtain the Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) is cause for discipline, up to and including termination.

Cogent Infotech is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply
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