Animal Services Director - City of Austin, TX

The City of Austin is seeking a highly qualified and collaborative Director for Austin Animal Services. The Director will be responsible for overseeing animal shelter operations and animal control services, ensuring effective program delivery, fiscal oversight, and community engagement to promote public safety and animal welfare to the Austin/Travis County community. This position reports to the Assistant City Manager who oversees Animal Services, Austin Resource Recovery, Human Resources, Small and Minority Business Resources and Watershed Protection.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in leading the effective execution of the Austin Animal Services Strategic Plan for 2025 – 2030 which provides a clear and actionable framework to guide the organization’s efforts in achieving its goals and realizing its vision for the City of Austin and the unincorporated portions of Travis County.  This is an excellent opportunity to partner with diverse stakeholders in maintaining and building on the City’s reputation as a top pet-friendly city in the U.S.

The City of Austin (Pop. 989, 252) is a progressive, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. This vibrant and dynamic city tops numerous lists for business, entertainment, and quality of life. The City was recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers 2025, ranking fourth among local government employers and is the only government entity in Texas to make the list. In U.S. News and World Report’s survey of Best Places to Live, Austin ranked #9 in the U.S. and #1 in Texas for 2025-2026.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Health, Business Administration, Public Policy or related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible management including fiscal management experience, two (2) years of which were in a managerial capacity.

Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-management experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Develops and monitors policies, procedures, and work activities to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations.
• Plans, directs, evaluates, and provides oversight of Animal Services staff and departmental operations.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal teams, government bodies, and external stakeholders.
• Identifies and addresses community concerns while assessing and enhancing the department’s programs and services.
• Communicates progress, trends, and activities to City leadership, elected officials, and the public.
• Provides executive support to the Animal Advisory Commission and other officials to address community concerns.
• Responds to public, City, and media inquiries, resolving sensitive issues and complaints effectively.
• Serves as the animal control authority for public health and safety.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

The ideal candidate

The City is seeking a candidate with these key competencies:

• Exceptional Communicator – The candidate must be skilled at engaging staff, volunteers, elected officials, and advocacy groups with clarity, transparency, and respect with demonstrated skill in giving impactful presentations. They should be adept at delivering difficult messages while maintaining trust and creating strong partnerships with both City and County leadership.
• Proven Manager of People and Resources – The candidate should have a track record of leading large, diverse teams in complex organizations. They must inspire accountability, respect, professional expertise, and foster a collaborative culture. Strong financial and budgetary skills are essential to maximize limited resources and guide long-term investments.
• Community-Focused and Politically Aware – Success in this role requires navigating a highly visible and sometimes politically sensitive environment. The ideal candidate understands how to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, manage criticism, and balance competing priorities while keeping community confidence in the shelter’s mission.
• Strategic and Vision-Oriented Leader – Beyond day-to-day management, the ideal candidate must be capable of driving the strategic plan forward, identifying innovative solutions to persistent challenges like overcrowding, and positioning Austin as a continued national leader in animal welfare. They should also be skilled in long-term planning, including facility expansion and regional collaboration.
• Adaptive Problem-Solver with High Emotional Intelligence – Stakeholders want someone who is flexible, innovative, and not afraid to try new approaches or learn from setbacks. The ideal leader demonstrates empathy, steadiness under pressure, and the ability to unite diverse groups around shared goals.
• Public Presence and Trust Builder – The candidate should be comfortable as the public face of the shelter—authentic, approachable, and proactive in outreach. They must strengthen relationships with rescue groups, advocacy organizations, and the broader community while reducing misinformation and fostering transparency.
• Balanced Background in Government and Animal Welfare –The desired candidate combines proven municipal/government management experience with their knowledge of animal welfare. This balance ensures they can handle complex bureaucracy while also making informed, compassionate decisions about animal care.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range of $208,000 - $218,000. The benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, compensated leave, short-term disability, and retirement benefits. The city is a member of the Proportionate Retirement Program. Optional benefits include supplemental life insurance, a 457 deferred compensation plan, long-term disability plan, and a legal plan. Visit austintexas.gov/ department/active-employee-benefits to learn more about the City’s employee benefits.

Reasonable relocation benefits will be provided to the successful candidate.

How to Apply

To ensure consideration, candidates should apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com by November 20, 2025, with cover letter, resume, and contact information for five (5) professional references. We recommend that those who are interested apply early in the process for optimum consideration. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Rodney Crain, MGT Senior Consultant, at Tel: (847) 380-3240, x154. The City of Austin, TX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.