Assistant Director of Animal Services

at  City of Ontario CA

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $150,000 - $175,000

Placement within this range is dependent on qualifications, experience, and ultimately established by the WEASA Board of Directors.
The West End Animal Services Agency is looking for its first Assistant Director of Animal Services! Are you passionate about serving the community and supporting a team that is committed to making a positive impact? The West End Animal Services Agency is seeking a well-qualified collaborative leader with experience in animal services management, community engagement and outreach, and is a continuous learner of best practices in the animal sheltering industry. The West End Animal Services Agency will begin providing Animal services July 1, 2025, which include animal control and sheltering services. The Assistant Director will play a pivotal role in building this operation from the ground up and ensuring this timeline is met.
Under administrative direction of the Executive Director of Animal Services, the Assistant Director of Animal Services provides assistance in delivering the highest quality Animal Control and Sheltering Services to the community. The Assistant Director provides highly responsible and professional assistance in the management, planning, directing, organizing, coordination, and evaluation of animal control and shelter operations for the member agencies and contract cities/county.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, purchasing, contract administration, strategic planning, maintenance of public records and customer satisfaction.
• Financial procedures and regulations including those related to federal and/or state grant programs, governmental fund management, and sources of funding for meeting animal services program and service delivery needs.
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility including licensing, animal sheltering, animal control, animal welfare, health and safety.
• Principals of animal behavior and care; occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in animal services.
• Organization, functions, legal requirements, and practices of the WEASA Board of Directors, and other boards/committees/working groups.
• Computer software applications.
• Research methods and analysis techniques.
• Principles and practices of effective leadership, management and supervision.

Ability to:

• Evaluate agency programs and services and makes changes or recommendations for improvement and develop budgets that maximize available resources for optimal outcomes.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to diverse audiences; present ideas and concepts persuasively in speaking before groups or in writing for publication.
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies and other written materials.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations.
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local policies, laws, regulations, and court decisions applicable to areas of responsibility.
• Exercise sound, expert independent judgement within general policy guidelines.
• Supervise, evaluate, motivate, coach, mentor, and develop assigned staff.
• Operate a computer using relevant word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other software.
• Establish and maintain collegial working relationships with the Board of Directors, City Managers, City Council members, Staff, volunteers, interest groups, the community at large, regulatory and other governmental agencies, granting organizations, media, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions.
• Maintain the highest standards of integrity and professional ethics in complex dealings with diverse stakeholders.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Animal Care, Animal Health & Science, or related field. Additional experience may be substituted on a year for year basis.
Candidates qualifying by way of degree require proof of successful completion of a bachelor’s degree and must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications.
Experience Requirements
Four (4) years of professional experience at a management or supervisory level in a public organization related to animal control, sheltering, and animal care services or other similarly complex operations or programs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires the ability to work in a standard office environment with continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck.
• Frequently sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers.
• Occasional walking, standing, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and lifting and carrying of files weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Some exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, confining work space, and chemicals;
• Ability to travel to different sites and locations; ability to attend evening and weekend meetings;

• Oversees the daily administration and operation of the Agency.
• Assists in the management, direction, planning, organizing, and coordination of the overall activities, goals, objectives, and priorities of the Agency.
• Works closely with the Executive Director of Animal Services in carrying out the vision, mission and objectives for the Agency.
• Assists in the recommendation and implementation of program services, program changes, identifies problem areas and develops resolutions and enhancements to operations; monitors, evaluates and recommends methods for improving the efficiency of services provided.
• Provides leadership and collaborates with subordinate management to develop and retain highly competent, customer service-oriented staff.
• Provides assistance in the development and administration of the Agency budget and grants; anticipates funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; regularly evaluates program and service costs and seeks efficient alternatives; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; recommends and requests adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, develops, supervises, and evaluates personnel; assigns work activities and projects; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; works with employees to develop and advance skills, correct deficiencies, and improve the delivery of services; implements discipline processes as necessary.
• Assists in the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances relating to animal sheltering and animal control services.
• Provides technical assistance as necessary for the resolution of complex and/or involved field investigations; supervises the investigation and preparation of formal complaints for court action against violators of animal control ordinances and laws; oversees the preparation of case files for criminal action and the submittal of necessary documentation. Communicates with other public and private entities, elected officials, departments, agency representatives, businesses, community and/or environmental groups, as well as a myriad of stakeholders regarding agency policies and requirements.
• Establishes and maintains contact with civic, non-profit, governmental, and private representatives; coordinates educational and public speaking programs for schools, civic groups, public and private agencies, representatives, and law enforcement agencies.
• Manage and coordinate volunteer staffing and training; assess effective deployment of volunteers as part of departmental services; coordinate outside fund raising for volunteer programs.
• Acts in the absence of the Executive Director of Animal Services.
• Presents on behalf of the Executive Director before the WEASA Board of Directors, City Council members, various agencies, community groups and the media on the City’s animal services operations and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.