Animal Care and Control Director

City of Charlotte•Safford, AZ

5d•$126,009 - $181,138•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care & Control Director provides executive level leadership and strategic direction for all programs and operations within Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. Under administrative direction, this role ensures the welfare and humane treatment of animals in the City’s care while advancing public health and safety in alignment with the City’s mission, vision, and values. The Director oversees a comprehensive portfolio of services, including animal control enforcement, shelter operations, veterinary clinical services, community outreach, and public education. This position collaborates with internal departments and external agencies and leads a diverse team of professionals including managers, veterinary staff, animal control officers, and administrative personnel to deliver high quality, compassionate animal care and effective public health and safety services. General direction is provided by the General Services Director, and Deputy Director. The role exercises a high level of independent judgment in overseeing operations and achieving program goals, and requires frequent and meaningful engagement with the public and community stakeholders. Performance is evaluated based on results and periodic reporting.

Requirements

Knowledge of veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and public health.
Considerable knowledge of the pertinent laws, regulations and ordinances; considerable knowledge of legal search and seizure procedures, and legal procedures for screening criminal summons and for search and seizure of animals in violation of ordinance.
Ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinate personnel engaged in animal control work and to operate the animal control function.
Ability to maintain an effective animal control public information program and to instruct subordinates on proper public contact procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and writing.
Necessary special requirements: certification requirements for chemical Immobilization, completion of course requirements as required by the State for Cruelty Investigators.
Thorough knowledge of safe handling, general welfare and care of small and large, wild and domestic animals.
Thorough knowledge in animal control work including considerable supervisory experience.
Ability to lead and motivate employees, work independently, and as part of a team of supervisors/managers.
Demonstrate an exceptional work ethic.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City executives, City Council and other public officials, business and community leaders and the general public.
Progressive leadership experience in strategic planning, policy and procedure development, team management, conflict management and corporate social responsibility.
Ability to analyze complex administrative, operational and policy issues and make sound recommendations for resolution and effective implementation.
Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced/high-pressure environment.
Excellent interpersonal, public relations and communication skills.
Ability to build strong business relationships.
Outstanding multi-tasking and problem-solving skills.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a municipal, public sector, or nonprofit animal welfare environment
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a supervisory or management capacity
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree with major course work in zoology, animal husbandry, veterinary science or related field
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA)
Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in zoology, animal husbandry, veterinary science or related field preferred

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all functions of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control, ensuring efficient daily y operations and compliance with federal, state, and local laws as well as city policies and standards.
Develops and implements departmental strategies and programs to promote responsible pet ownership, control stray animal populations, and increase live-release rate through adoptions, rescues, and reclaims.
Develops, manages, and recommends the division budget, ensures systems are in place to identify problem areas, develops action plans to manage over/under expenditures and revenue shortfalls, and allocates/reallocates available funds to highest areas of priority. Authorizes expenditures in accordance with budget and purchasing policies. Approves budget and expenses of direct reports.
Serves as Administrative Hearing Officer responsible for conducting all hearings and issuing decisions for all appeals regarding dangerous dog declarations, nuisance declarations, written enforcement orders, and civil citations.
Serves as the Mecklenburg County Dog Warden in cooperation with the Mecklenburg County Health Department.
Plans, directs, and evaluates work procedures for enforcement of state and local laws in the County of Mecklenburg and the City of Charlotte; plans and directs work procedures for the enforcement of special laws through contractual agreements in other towns within Mecklenburg County.
Oversee humane shelter operations and animal care practices. Ensure proper protocols are followed for animal handling, housing, and euthanasia in accordance with legal requirements and industry best practices for animal welfare.
Directs and maintains all necessary licenses for the operation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services Clinic.
Maintains professional affiliations in national, state, and local associations and enhances professional growth and development by keeping current in the latest trends in the animal service field.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with city executives, City Council, client departments, business and community leaders and the general public.
Proactively communicates critical issues, key decisions, and project updates to departmental leadership. Identifies and presents potential solutions to operational and policy challenges within animal care and control, outlining associated risks and opportunities. Collaborates with leadership to review and evaluate proposed actions to ensure informed, effective, and compliant implementation.
Provides leadership and mentorship to subordinate managers and staff, encouraging professional development and a high-performance culture. Ensure that all staff adhere to ethical practices and legal requirements in carrying out their duties.
Identifies and responds to community concerns and needs. Monitors and evaluates the adequacy of the Department’s existing services and ensures the development of programs and services, maintains an in-depth knowledge of the changing public and environmental health environment and assesses community needs for quality animal services.
Performs other duties as assigned.