Animal Care Services Director

The Position

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur.

Under administrative direction of the Chief Executive Officer, directs, plans, organizes, and supervises all functions and operations of the Animal Care Services Department, which includes long and short range planning, policy development and staff management; manage and supervise the work of all Animal Care Services staff; establish and implement Animal Care Services objectives and performance standards; promote, coordinate, and participate in collaborative activities, programs, and projects with outside agencies and department staff; represent Animal Care Services during administrative and criminal proceedings; participate in negotiating contracts for animal services with city managers and other entities and act as public information officer. The Animal Care Services Department is responsible for delivering comprehensive animal care & animal protection services and enforcing all applicable laws and regulations.

At-Will position; exempt from Civil Service.

Manager Academy is mandatory for all managers and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Direct and manage division staff responsible for performing various animal care & animal protection services; carry out supervisory and managerial responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring and training, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Plan, organize, assign, review, and control work production and activities, to include procedures, allocation of resources, problem resolution, and training of employees.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations related to the field of animal licensing, enforcement, and animal care, including legislation, court rulings, professional practices and techniques; evaluates their impact and recommends policy & procedural modifications accordingly.
• Develop, communicate, recommend and monitor policies, procedures, and standards for the department.
• Supervise and monitor current system database; assist with implementation of system updates; prepare system reports for budgetary, technical and technical information.
• Oversee the management of the County’s animal shelters, including supervising record keeping, monitoring and reviewing cash receipts, purchase transactions, supply inventory, payroll and billing for animal related services.
• Oversees all vendor contracts and agreements entered into by the department.
• Monitor and evaluate the level of service to the public by reviewing activity reports, complaints, fiscal records, vehicle and equipment maintenance, and through observing staff performance in the field and in the animal shelters.
• Assist in the preparation and justification of the budget; compile statistics, assemble cost/revenue data; recommend staffing requirements, capital improvement or fixed asset purchases for Animal Care Services.
• Participate with County Counsel in negotiating and monitoring City, Federal & and Indian Reservation and Rancheria contracts.
• Assist in planning goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction of Animal Care Services Promote responsible pet ownership, seeks animal rescue groups & public support and understands the department's role through community engagement, education and events.
• Plan, implement and carry out disaster preparedness and response plans regarding the care and safety of animals.
• Coordinate the activities of Animal Care Services with other departments and outside agencies.
• Develop and direct employee training programs in public relations, laws and regulations and other areas.
• Represent Animal Care Services at various business or public gatherings and advocates for animal services.
• Prepare public information releases; respond to public inquiries and complaints regarding Animal Care Services activities; respond to sensitive or disaster situations that require immediate attention and decision-making.
• Respond to and resolves difficult & sensitive customer inquiries & complaints related to Animal Care Services.
• Meets regularly with staff and contracted vendors to provide coordination, gives support & guidance, develops recommendations and directs the implementation of solutions.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with public and community animal rescue partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Animal Science or closely related field; and four (4) years of increasingly responsible administrative or management experience, or experience in licensing, kenneling or enforcement work in an animal care/protection agency; with at least one (1) year experience performing management-level functions, or a combination of directly related education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.
• Principles, practices, and techniques used in animal sheltering, animal control, custody, and care.
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.
• Budgetary principles and practices.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skill in:

• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.
• Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Exercising tact, discretion, and sound independent judgment within established policy guidelines and legal constraints.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to provide effective leadership to subordinate staff and to develop cooperative working relationships with employees, senior management, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• Analyzing and resolving situations and problems.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks.
• Understanding, interpreting and communicating complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Recognizing erratic or uncommon behavior of domestic & wild animals.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Exercise and independently apply sound, unbiased judgment.
• Evaluate and analyze complex issues accurately and take effective action.
• Take initiative in carrying out direction and in formulating creative solutions to problems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and governmental agencies.
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Interpret, apply and enforce laws, regulations, ordinances and policies related to animal control.
• Work with and handle animals safely, in a humane manner in hazardous and non-hazardous situations.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, run, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands; considerable use of arms and legs to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; speak and hear; and push, pull move, or lift objects weighing up to 100 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted by the final filing date will be reviewed with those judged most qualified progressing further in the selection process. Based on the number of qualified candidates, a Qualifications Appraisal may be administered.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 2/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

• 

• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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