Animal Services Manager

Under the supervision of the Chief of Police, the Animal Services Manager is responsible for managing an effective and efficient Animal Services program (which includes both shelter and field operations); investigating and enforcing related local, state, and federal codes; responding to citizen inquiries and concerns; assuring operational compliance with local, state and federal laws, rules, guidelines and/or regulations; educating the community about animal services; ensuring the development of a strategic plan for the promotion of animal care, animal control, and reduction of euthanasia rates of animals in the City of League City.

This is a safety sensitive and/or DOT position.  As such, you will be required to participate in random drug testing at the city.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Oversee the care provided for the animals that come under the protection of League City and ensure their humane treatment;

• Implement short and long term strategies to address pet overpopulation in League City that responsibly reduce intakes, increase adoptions, improve animal care, provide behavioral analysis and medical diagnostics, encourage spaying and neutering, and help pets stay with their responsible caretakers;

• Ensure responsible pet care through enforcement of public compliance with animal care and control regulations, including nuisance, animal licensing, public safety, and animal cruelty laws;

•   Plan, organize, coordinate, review, evaluate, and direct the implementation of programs providing animal care and control services to the general public and other animal welfare agencies;

•  Direct through subordinate supervisors, the administration of such programs including, but not limited to, shelter management, adoptions, veterinary services, animal control, and   animal welfare education;

•   Develop, interpret, and implement policies and procedures relating to animal care and control programs; plan means of service delivery; develop multi-year plan for the direction of overall animal care and control activities for the City;

•   Assure that the organization has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress;

• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the animal welfare and animal control fields;

• Work with City Departments and representatives of other animal welfare organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses and community groups to develop and implement collaborative programs and services, and to raise alternative sources of funding to aid in overall City goals;

•  Provide direction, technical advice and assistance to City agencies, community and volunteer groups, schools, animal welfare organizations, and the general public;

•  Define animal care and control program role in a variety of health, education and public safety initiatives, as well as improving overall quality of life in the City;

•   Provides appropriate and timely responses to citizen inquiries and concerns;

•   Provides information and support to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee;

•    Understand and implement operational compliance with current federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines that affect operations;

•   Oversee record keeping practices for legally compliant adoptions, staff personnel files, budgetary accountability, and all other functions;

• Maintain official records and documents;

• Perform other work related duties as required;

• SUPERVISORY/BUDGET RESPONSIBILITES:

• Be responsible for overseeing the recruitment, employment, direction, management and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers; Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are conducted, that motivation systems are utilized and that sound human resource practices are in place that abide by local, state and federal law;

• Analyze organizational structure, staff responsibilities and staff response to demands for animal care and control services;

• Annually review and revise existing programs and services and develop new programs and services to meet changing demands;

• Develop and implement initiatives intended to change and improve employees' provision of service to, and interaction with the public; Communicate agency policy and mission concerning provision of service and relationship with the public to agency employees; Participate in, and lead interagency teams formed to develop programs, policies and solutions to specific problems;

• Maintain a climate which attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people by encouraging career development, continuing education, and professional growth for staff administrators, shelter employees, and others who support and promote the mission and goals of the agency; Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices; Prepare financial reports, budgets, and summaries, submit budgets for approval, and monitor compliance of expenditures within approved budgetary constraints; Determine staffing needed to provide adequate service delivery throughout the City;

• A BS or BA is required in Veterinary or Animal Sciences, Business, Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Public Health, Law, or a closely related field;

• A minimum of five years of experience in either senior management of an animal shelter or animal control facility; or five years of experience in a supervisory position with transferable skills such as business, law, veterinary medicine, communications, public administration or other related field;

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered for the above requirements.

Knowledge of:

• General business practices, laws and ordinances related to humane animal control;

Skill in:

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely with others;

• Consistently demonstrate positive/proactive customer service attitude

• Maintain ethical behaviors exemplary of quality public service and fair standards, inclusively among all employees and members of the public;

• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal work relationships.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Some tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination and oral communication ability.  Must be able to bend, stoop, and kneel on both knees.  Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.  Must be able to tolerate cleaning chemicals, animal dander, and hair.