Animal Services Director

Thank you for your interest in our Animal Services Director position. 

The City of Selma is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of nearly 25,000 and is situated in the heart of California’s Central Valley. The City provides a full-range of services to our citizens. We are building Selma into a place of Prosperity, Unity and Strength.

To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.  Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

We look forward to the opportunity to consider you for a position with our department.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and are selected to advance to the interview phase, panel interviews have tentatively been scheduled on MARCH 6, 2025 and Department Head interviews have been tentatively scheduled on MARCH 13, 2025.

For planning/scheduling purposes, please make note of the above dates.  Additional details regarding the interview phase will be sent via email to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes and our screening process is completed.

PURPOSE: 
Under administrative direction of the City Manager, plans, organizes, manages, continuously improves and provides administrative direction and oversight for Animal Services; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to staff in areas of expertise.
 
This is an exempt at-will position that serves at the will of the City Manager.
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS STATEMENT: Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees may perform the essential functions of the job.
 
Essential Functions (Illustrative Only): 

• Develop and maintain performance standards and ensure quality service and staff productivity through supervision and evaluation of performance; enforce all State, City and Shelter policies and procedures; and oversee dispatching, licensing, animal care and euthanasia functions.
• Provide briefings, respond to inquiries and requests, and maintain supportive, cooperative relations with local animal welfare groups and with any applicable city or county Animal Welfare Commission.
• Prepare or approve schedules and coordinate assignments of shelter personnel. 
• Prepare and administer the shelter budget and maintain fiscal control; prepare budgetary reports.
• Coordinate and perform grants administration and reporting, including researching and evaluating grant funding opportunities relative to the shelter.
• Advocate effectively for the shelter's budget needs. 
• Work with the City Administrator, Police Department and non-profit animal welfare organizations to develop sources of additional funding through public-private partnerships; collect data to support collaborative funding efforts.
• Oversee the acquisition, secure storage, distribution, and inventory control of supplies used at the shelter and in the field.
• Monitor organizational performance and analyze data to detect trends and assess program requirements; formulate short and long-term management plans.
• Oversee the development and implementation of on-going and special programs and activities.
• Ensure courteous and high-quality customer service for field and shelter operations; provide information and respond to public complaints or inquiries regarding animal care services, lost animals, redemption and adoption, etc.
• Prepare and present orientation sessions, education courses and on-the-job training both to shelter personnel and the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with other city organizations, jurisdictions, and agencies.
• Prepare or supervise the preparation and distribution of promotional materials concerning shelter services and programs including the distribution of literature in appropriate languages.
• Inspect the facility, equipment and supplies for compliance with safety standards and maintenance needs; oversee the ordering of food, equipment, and supplies and the preparation of service requests.
• Supervise the Division's involvement in civil and criminal actions related to animal incidents (vicious animals, animal bites); be proactive in pursuing animal cruelty cases; assist SPD sworn personnel in other criminal investigations (e.g., inhumane treatment) and ensure that investigating Animal Control Officers are properly trained in the gathering and storage of evidence.  
• Facilitate prompt resolution of administrative cases; establish protocols to ensure that animals held for long periods of time due to lengthy litigations are socialized and exercised appropriately.
• Prepare briefings and technical reports regarding shelter activities, personnel matters, new initiatives, or civil actions.
• Review, interpret and implement new policies, rules, regulations, and state/local laws and ordinances concerning the care, treatment and custody of animals (e.g., receipt, redemption, adoption and euthanasia of animals). 
• Work cooperatively with the Community to ensure that financial constraints do not result in detention or destruction of animals.
• Work proactively and cooperatively with animal welfare agencies to establish prevention services which will lower the number of animals entering the shelter. 
• Collaborate with animal welfare groups to facilitate the rescue of animals from the shelter.
• Negotiate, secure, and monitor contract veterinary care; work cooperatively with veterinarians to establish or modify standards and procedures relating to animal capture, care, vaccination, sterilization, and disposal.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS: 
Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of management, supervision and training including program design and evaluation methods.
• Principles and practices of marketing, public speaking, customer service, and community relations.
• General practices of animal care and control in accordance with professional standards (Humane Society, National Animal Control Association, American Humane Association, etc.).
• State and local codes, regulations and ordinances associated with animal control and care.
• Safety principles, practices and procedures.
• Accounting and revenue handling procedures; budget preparation, advocacy and control.
• Preparation and maintenance of records and technical reports using computers in a networked environment and common software applications (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.

Ability to:

• Design, implement, supervise and evaluate animal control services and operations.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse community both orally and in writing.
• Design and implement marketing campaigns and serve as the media spokesperson regarding City animal services.
• Solve problems and make decisions and effectively respond to community or political concerns with tact and diplomacy.
• Provide leadership in order to promote customer service and safe, humane, and professional work practices.
• Advocate for the shelter's budget and policy needs; prepare the shelter's budget and research and prepare grant proposals for funding. 
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with shelter staff, other city departments, community, organizations, businesses, and individual citizens.
• Interpret and implement state and local codes and regulations pertaining to animal care and control.
• Prepare and maintain fiscal records including inventory control; monitor and maintain facility budget appropriations.
• Prepare timely and accurate reports of a general or technical nature.

REQUIREMENTS: 
Education and Experience: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 
 
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, veterinary medicine, or a related field required and six (6) years of extensive management and public relations experience.
 
Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C driver's license.
• Ability to obtain a Euthanasia Certificate.

Physical Demands: 
Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb and lift 75 pounds.

Environmental Elements: 
Occasionally indoors in an office setting; Exposure to extreme noise, noxious odors and outdoors; ability to travel to different sites and locations.

Salary : $100,958 - $130,474