Animal Services Director

Are you ready to shape the future of our County?

Join us as the Animal Services Director, and lead a dynamic team dedicated to the well-being and safety of animals within our community. We are looking for an individual that is compassionate, strategic, and innovative to help shape the future of our animal welfare programs. The ideal candidate is forward thinking and possess the expertise to navigate sensitive working relationships and partnerships with residents, veterinarians, and organizations to ensure a comprehensive approach to animal welfare. If you are passionate about leading the charge to provide superior care and services for the animals and residents in Pinellas County, we invite you to join our team!

The work schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM and it's primary office location is 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo FL 33774.

Why Us?

• Impact: Lead initiatives that directly impact the lives of the animals and residents in our community, shaping the landscape of our county for generations to come.

• Innovation: Embrace a culture of innovation and creativity, where your ideas are valued, and your vision can become reality.

• Collaboration: Work alongside a dedicated team of professionals, forging partnerships with community stakeholders who care about the wellbeing of animals.

• Autonomy: Take the reins and drive initiatives independently, with the freedom to think big and make strategic decisions that drive results.

• Lifestyle: Live, work and play where many love to visit for our amazing recreation, beaches, vibrant cities and quality of life.

What Would You Do?

• Lead initiatives aimed at developing and implementing innovative animal welfare and owner education strategies to address diverse community needs.

• Navigate and interpret complex county and state regulations, ensuring compliance and driving forward progress on improving animal welfare and pet ownership in Pinellas County.

• Lead and follow national best practices in animal sheltering and field services, while implementing progressive and lifesaving programs.

• Develop comprehensive plans that integrate municipal and nonprofit perspectives, leveraging industry and community insights to inform strategic decision-making.

• Collaborate with stakeholders from the private sector, government agencies, and community organizations to facilitate the seamless execution of plans and initiatives.

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership to cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to achieving project objectives.

• Conduct thorough analyses of industry trends, community shifts, and regulatory changes to inform the development and adaptation of plans to improve lifesaving initiatives in animal welfare.

• Advocate for inclusive animal sheltering and field service practices that prioritize lifesaving programs and citizen education.

• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, presenting findings, recommendations, and progress updates to facilitate informed decision-making and consensus-building processes.

• Write and communicate policies and procedures to span all areas of external and internal operations to ensure transparency and consistency.

• Communicate effectively with media representatives as needed to ensure consistency and transparency.

• Utilize agreements and other tools to negotiate collaborative programs and address issues related to animal welfare.

• Provide guidance and support to departmental staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

• Oversee all aspects of citizen education, owner accountability and animal welfare initiatives within the county.

• Develop and oversee responsible, efficient budgets and capital improvement projects for the department.

What Do You Need To Have?

• Nine (9) years of professional experience that includes four (4) years of responsible management or supervisory experience; or a Bachelor's degree in a related field and five (5) years of experience as described above; or a Master's degree in a related field and three (3) years of experience as described above; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision and influence key stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work independently and think strategically, with a focus on driving results.

What else does Pinellas County offer?

Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

We are dedicated to offering employees a multitude of comprehensive and competitive benefits including, but not limited to:

• Medical coverage at a low cost

• Benefits package includes health, vision, prescription, dental, life insurance, disability, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options

• Florida Retirement System (FRS)

• Generous leave time

• Wellness Program: access to county gyms 24/7

• Deferred compensation plans

• To learn more, see What We Offer

Want to learn more?

Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and abilities at the below link.

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