DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND WELFARE

The City of Amarillo is seeking a creative, enthusiastic, solutions-oriented candidate to serve as its new Director of Animal Management & Welfare. A successful candidate for the Director of Animal Management & Welfare must have progressive management experience in both field and shelter operations. Focus is placed on candidates with a track record of implementing best practices and exploring alternative approaches to animal management and welfare that enhance humane outcomes for the animal population in the community. A premium is placed on candidates who can promote a collaborative approach by engaging in a positive dialogue with the Amarillo community and animal advocacy groups.

PAY RANGE: $88,877 - $171,672 (DOQ)

SUMMARY

This position plans, directs, and coordinates activities of the Animal Management & Welfare Department; supervises activities in enforcing city ordinances, pertaining to animals; formulates departmental annual budget requests; and manages daily budget expenditures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, coordinates and directs activities of the Department.
• Oversees the duties of the Assistant Director, the Shelter Veterinarian, contract veterinarians and all other personnel.
• Hires staff and conducts staff coaching, training, evaluations and disciplinary actions.
• Directs the activities of the Department that involve enforcing all Municipal ordinances and state laws relative to the prevention of animal cruelty and care of animals.
• Prepares and manages the department budget, oversees the collection of cash, prepares or authorizes requisitions and purchase order for purchases, manages and administers grant funds, is accountable for property and inventory management and control, .
• Conducts public education programs regarding animals and implementing means to reduce over population of pets and wild animals.
• Evaluates services and programs and recommends changes where appropriate.
• Establishes and administers all departmental policies and procedures including personnel and financial administration.
• Maintains clear communications with the general public and handles correspondence issued by the department.
• Handles all communication with the media as it relates to animal welfare.
• Promotes good working relationship between the Department and local Animal Welfare Organizations.
• Renders findings in Dangerous Animal Cases.
• Reports to the USDA regarding control of all drugs in compliance with Drug Enforcement Administration guidelines on a monthly basis.
• Acts as primary point of contact for Animal Management & Welfare Advisory Board.
• Directs the preparation of complex reports and studies regarding ordinances and legislative policy.
• Responds to enquiries or complaints from the public and citizen groups.
• Directs the investigations of problems and initiates solutions.
• Regularly reports the current status and needs of the department to direct supervisor.
• Perform euthanasia as required.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent (GED0.  Prefer a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Public Administration or related field and a minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in an Animal Welfare Organization, including at management level. Required are the following certifications within six (6) months of hire: Euthanasia Certificate for the State of Texas and Basic Animal Control Certificate for the State of Texas.  Also required are the following certifications within one (1) year of hire:  NACA/ NCIS Level I, II, and III, Certified Cruelty Investigator (Preferred Level 4); FEMA Certificates for Disaster Response (IS100, IS200, IS700); and Zoonosis Prevention and Education.  Chemical Capture Certificate is preferred. Valid Texas Driver’s License Required. Must have or be able to obtain pre-exposure rabies vaccinations within six (6) months of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Understanding and knowledge of animal welfare/control and shelter operations.
• Ability to use basic office equipment including copies and multi-line phone systems.
• Ability to us computers for data entry, word processing and accounting purposes.
• Knowledgeable of personnel and office management methods, techniques and bookkeeping.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write and establish policies, strategic and operational plans and plans for the implementation of major technology and construction projects.
• Ability to lead and guide employees in all aspects of the department’s operation, including the implementation of new practices, procedures and technology.
• Knowledge to safely administer sodium pentobarbital, Ketaset and Oleoresin Capsicum.
• Ability to make decisions during emergency and unusual circumstances.

• Knowledge of animal shelter procedures and regulations
• Knowledge of safety, sanitation and humane environmental conditions of animals and animal shelters.

ADA PROFILE

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee will be required to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is also required to balance, crouch, feel, finger, handle, pull, push, reach, speak, stand, stoop, talk, see, and walk.   Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee’s work is performed in dynamic environment that requires me to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Work will be conducted at the animal shelter in all weather conditions. This employee is required to deal with crisis situations that require me to make major decisions involving people, resources, and property.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.