Option 1
Three years of experience providing technical supervision in the operation of an animal care center or a comprehensive Countywide program including responsibility for investigation of violations of animal care and control regulations and court prosecution. Option 2 Bachelor's degree in Ethology, Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Veterinary Technology or a closely related field and a minimum of five years of animal training or enrichment experience. License A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. Physical Class Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pounds limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved. Special Requirement Information In order to meet the Option 2 Minimum Requirements, you must upload a legible copy of your official transcripts or degree at the time of filing OR within 15 calendar days of filing.
Has immediate responsibility for the operations of an animal care center including field animal care and control services in an assigned geographical area, or provides management and administrative coordination services for a comprehensive Countywide animal care and control program that has significant impact to the Department.
Classification Standards
Positions allocable to this class receive administrative direction from a Deputy Director and are responsible for the operations of an animal care center in an assigned geographical area or for providing management services and administrative coordination for a comprehensive Countywide animal care and control program that has significant impact to the Department such as Revenue Services; Major Case Unit animal cruelty investigations; Critical Case Unit dangerous and vicious dog investigations; animal behavior and enrichment; or community outreach and education.
Positions in this class have responsibility for animal shelter operations or a comprehensive Countywide program on a 24-hour, seven days-a-week basis and provide administrative and technical supervision to staff engaged in field patrol services, enforcement of animal license and vaccination services, animal care operations, animal behavior assessment and management, community outreach, humane education, customer service, animal cruelty investigations, dangerous/vicious dog investigations, and care center office work.
These positions also perform budgetary, operational, and personnel management functions in order to effectively utilize the financial, material, and human resources allocated to assigned animal care center or a comprehensive Countywide program.
Positions in this class must work effectively with members of the public, animal welfare groups, volunteers, community groups, board offices and city officials, and exercise knowledge specific to their assignment, such as State laws and County ordinances; courtroom and hearing practices; Departmental procedures pertinent to the impoundment, treatment and care of domestic and wild animals, and placement of stray or abandoned animals; animal behavior and enrichment theories and training strategies; and humane education practices.
Essential Job Functions
- Plans, organizes, and directs the operations and services of an animal care center and all field animal care and control services in an assigned geographical area, or a comprehensive Countywide animal care and control program.
- Supervises the enforcement of the County\’s Animal Control Ordinance and related State and local laws pertaining to animal licenses, vaccinations, and humane treatment of animals; supervises the collection of delinquent animal license fees and penalties.
- Develops animal behavior enrichment and training programs to help rehabilitate behaviorally challenged animals, in order to make them more adoptable. Establishes protocols and evaluation methods to prevent aggressive and vicious animals from being made available for adoption. Trains staff and volunteers regarding animal behavior using positive reinforcement and industry accepted animal training methodologies.
- Supervises all personnel assigned to the animal care center or a comprehensive Countywide program by evaluating performance, handling grievances at the first level, resolving disciplinary problems or recommending their resolution to higher levels.
- Establishes patrol areas or programs within the jurisdiction by analyzing such variables as workload statistics, population concentrations, available staff and traffic patterns.
- Assigns staff to shifts and patrol areas in order to maximize coverage on a seven-day, 24-hour basis; continually revises schedules on the basis of such factors as absences, citizen complaints, health hazards, needs of the animal population, community response and other emergencies.
- Maintains liaison and meets and confers with officials of contract cities, public law enforcement and wildlife agencies such as the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and other counties and cities, and community groups for the purpose of resolving problems concerning citizen complaints, level of service, response time and interpretation of code sections; assists local agencies in impounding and sheltering animals used as evidence in legal proceedings; disseminates educational information regarding the delivery of animal care and control services.
- Collaborates with non-profit organizations to serve the needs of animals and community members.
- Identifies training needs for personnel, and supervises the conduct of training sessions for all personnel on such subjects as animal behavior, animal care, law enforcement, customer service, loading livestock, and animal capture.
- Reviews reports for such things as completeness, quality and uniformity of service and standards, and for indications of training needs and workload trends.
- Prepares and submits budget requests for an assigned geographical area or comprehensive Countywide program; insures operations are maintained within established budget by reviewing and approving requests for overtime, equipment replacement, supplies, building and equipment repairs; and directs the allocation of resources to accomplish budget objectives.
- Researches, prepares and submits grants for program support and development.
- Reviews the results of inspections within subordinates\’ assigned area to ensure that all shifts are in conformance with laws governing feeding, sanitation, security and quarantine of animals.