Director - Indianapolis Animal Care Services

Position Summary

The position is responsible for administering, planning, regulating, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating all activities related to IACS.

Agency Summary
The purpose and mission of Animal Care Services is advocating animal welfare, increase diversion and adoption from the animal shelter. The agency does this by protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of pets and livestock in Marion County. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the residents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Responsible for the effective operations of the city animal shelter, including its kennel, diversion/placement, medical teams, appointing deputy directors, administrators, and management to assist with oversight.
• Responsible for all enforcement functions conducted by the animal control team, and appointing deputy directors, administrators, and management to assist with oversight.
• Designs and Implements programs and strategies to address intake of shelter animals, increasing diversion and adoptions, improving animal care, encouraging spaying, and neutering, and helping pets stay with their responsible lifelong caretakers.
• Oversees the development and preparation of departmental budgetary process.
• Ensures responsible pet care through enforcement of public compliance with animal care regulations, including nuisance and animal cruelty laws.
• Develop, interpret, and implement policies and procedures relating to animal care programs.
• Maintains working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the animal welfare and animal control fields, as well as federal, state, and local legislation.
• Works with representatives of other animal welfare organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses, and community groups to develop and implement collaborative programs and services.
• Partners with Friends of Indy Animals and other philanthropic organizations to fun programming, events, and other shelter expenses.
• Represents the agency and provides technical advice and assistance related to shelter and animal control functions to city departments, volunteer groups, animal welfare organizations, and the general public.
• Advises board members, Mayor, and City-County Council on all matters related to the Agency functions.
• Oversees marketing and publicity for the organization’s events, programs, educational initiatives, and goals.
• Responsible for overseeing the recruitment, employment, direction, management, and discipline of all personnel, both paid team members and volunteers.
• Ensures job descriptions are developed and regular performance evaluations are conducted.
• Determines staffing and funding needed to provide adequate service delivery throughout the city.
• Develops constructive working relationships with union representatives regarding contractual obligations, union grievances, and staff accountability.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, or four (4) years of executive management experience and eight (8) years of related work experience overseeing an animal care facility is required. One (1) year of related work experience may be substituted for each year of education in lieu of a degree. Must possess excellent communication skills both orally and written, with a proven ability to communicate and interact with key stakeholders. Must possess a willingness to work in a collaborative manner with stakeholders to reduce animal intake rate, lower euthanasia rate, and decrease animal neglect and cruelty in the community. Must have knowledge of state and local animal laws and ordinances and search and seizure issues. Must have an ability to remain calm and effective during crisis events and in an emotionally charged environment. Must have proven management skills demonstrating and illustrating the ability to motivate and manage a diverse group of team members. Must have previous experience in a supervisory role that oversaw employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Must exhibit tact in collaborating with other professionals and team members.