Animal Resource Center Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director is responsible for South Bend Animal Resource Center’s (SBARC’s) strategic vision, operations, and budget. They will guide development and implementation of SBARC goals, policies, and programs, and provide leadership on strategic planning for the city’s animal welfare activities. The Director will lead a team of 12 staff members, as well as volunteers, and will be responsible for making strategic and management decisions that affect the operations of the shelter.

The Director will provide expert counsel on issues related to animal welfare, including the relevant South Bend municipal code, and will work closely with the City’s legal team and Animal Welfare Commission to ensure compliance with the local ordinance. The Director will also foster cooperative working relationships with other shelters, local veterinarians, advocacy groups, community members, City departments and volunteers. The Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws regarding handling of Schedule II and III substances and ensuring the shelter maintains is CSR license. This includes drugs used for euthanasia. The Director will report to the City’s Chief Neighborhoods Officer and will work with leadership of the Department of Community Investment within the City.

The Director leads a dedicated team of employees and volunteers while ensuring the highest standard of care for the animals. This role requires a dynamic and compassionate leader with strong operational expertise, ability to interpret laws and regulations, and a passion for animal welfare. This position will be expected to assist in the advancement of priorities and the management of procurement, human resources matters, legal matters, and other daily operations of SBARC.

As a leader and employee of the City of South Bend, you are called upon to serve in a manner that supports Our Core Values: Excellence, Accountability, Innovation, Inclusion, and Empowerment as you carry out our primary employee expectations: Champion Values & Organizational Pride, Champion Operational Excellence, Make Sound Decisions, Embrace Coaching and Accountability, Communicate with Excellence, Value Diverse People and Perspectives, Embrace Personal Development, Exhibit a Positive Attitude and Own Your Health, Wellness & Safety.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Oversight of all Animal Resource Center staff and volunteers, including 9 full-time staff, 3 part-time staff, and coordination of community volunteers.

SCHEDULE:

Monday-Friday, 8ap-5pm. Nights/weekends as needed, schedule may vary based on SBARC and departmental needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, organizes, directs, and supervises the activities, including daily operations, of the Animal Resource Center and staff.
• Develops strategic plans, along with goals and objectives, measurements, to evaluate and support the ongoing mission and direction of the organization.
• Provides effective hands-on management for SBARC employees.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure the Animal Resource Center meets its standards of care and follows clear protocols around enforcement and animal welfare activities.
• Interprets and causes to be enforced all city ordinances and/or state laws regarding animal care and control, including participating in ordinance review / revisions as needed.
• Creates, implements, and monitors shelter enhancement plans with a goal to minimize animal stress and length of stay in the shelter.
• Establish protocol and ensure proper cleaning and sanitization of the facility as well as proper storage and marking of chemicals.
• Ensures all required records are complete, filed in a timely manner, and adequately maintained.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, licensures, and accreditation standards.
• Ensures federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to controlled substances are followed, including storage protocols and maintaining proper records.
• Responsible for making final decisions related to the euthanasia of animals such as placing SBARC on an intake hold, finalizing the euthanasia list, and assisting with procedures as needed.
• Monitors shelter outcomes and tracks data on euthanasia, adoptions, and transfers.
• Continually seeks to improve operations, including but not limited to, reducing euthanasia numbers, increasing adoptions, increasing volunteer hours, increasing return to owner rate.
• Monitors cases to identify owners and/or animals that require elevated enforcement such as animal cruelty and dangerous animal cases.
• Attends monthly Animal Welfare Commission meetings, including presentation of prepared reports and information required by the Commission.
• Prepares for and testifies at Animal Welfare Hearings as needed.
• Coordinate with the Police Department and/or Prosecutors Office related to criminal cases.
• Assists with the development and management of annual budget review and expenditures.
• Educates the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
• Functions as the liaison between SBARC, City departments, and community groups.
• Monitors legislation and inter-governmental decisions affecting the operations of SBARC and takes appropriate action.
• Makes public and private presentations.
• Provides animal welfare and care information, answers questions, and assists the public.
• Responds to inquiries from the media and public.
• Works to ensure compliance with OSHA standards and other national guidelines as required.
• Fosters an environment of teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion.
• Oversees recruitment, hiring, development, evaluation, and discharge of employees and volunteers as conditions dictate.
• Ensures proper staffing levels to meet operational needs.
• Maintains safe, functional, and well-maintained facilities and vehicles.

NON-ESSENTIAL/MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as apparent or as delegated and may include animal control officer functions, animal care functions, as well as daily business operations.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Preferred graduation from an accredited four-year college. A degree in business, Animal Sciences, Criminal Justice preferred.
• Preferred minimum of eight (8) years of experience in either an animal shelter, veterinary office, kennel or similar environment, or a non-profit environment related to animal welfare, or law enforcement.
• Preferred minimum of five (5) years in increasingly responsible positions including management or supervisory experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the purposes and methods of animal control, containment, and animal welfare programs.
• Experience with animal capture, control, and practices.
• Knowledge of effective methods of controlling and containment of domestic and wild animals.
• Understanding of animal behaviors and body language.
• Interpersonal communication skills to effectively communicate instructions, procedures and processes to team members, and to manage a team and delegate responsibilities, tasks and assignments as appropriate.
• Ability to hold individuals and teams accountable to expectations, goals, and standards of performance using diplomacy and conflict resolution techniques.
• Ability to effectively address the public, handle stressful situations, work cooperatively with others, handle multiple tasks, and work under pressure/deadlines.
• Experience which demonstrates initiative, problem diagnosis, critical thinking, and proactive problem-solving skills.
• Experience maintaining a strong degree of confidentiality, integrity, and judgment.
• Strong project management skills.
• Knowledge of de-escalation skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and navigate challenging situations and customers.
• Strong technological and analytical skills a plus.
• Ability to operate vehicle safely, including at night.
• Ability to read and write, understand, and interpret regulations and legislation.
• Working knowledge of computers, computer software/programs, and personal devices such as iPads.
• Good written and verbal communication skills required for public presentations.
• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings when necessary.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSE, REGISTRATION:

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Euthanasia and/or a Chemical Capture Certificate (must be obtained within (6) six months of hiring).

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.