Animal Care Program Manager

San Bernardino County•San Bernardino, CA

About The Position

The Department of Public Health (DPH), Animal Care Division is seeking an experienced and dynamic Animal Care Program Manager to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative management of the San Bernardino County Animal Care Division. This position is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating all aspects of County animal shelter and/or administration and field operations, and animal care programs under the direction of the Animal Care Division Chief, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, and professional services to the community. The Program Manager oversees the daily operations of the County's animal shelters and/or administration and field services, ensuring the health, safety, and humane treatment of all animals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and established standards of animal welfare. The manager will develop, implement, and continuously evaluate division-wide policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices to improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and quality of care. This position provides leadership through subordinate supervisors, directing and supporting multidisciplinary teams responsible for animal care, field and investigation services, administrative and fiscal services, customer service, volunteer, rescue and foster programs, and shelter operations. The Animal Care Program Manager is responsible for employee development, performance management, succession planning, and fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture that promotes accountability, innovation, professional growth, and exceptional customer service. The Animal Care Program Manager leads the development and implementation of strategic initiatives designed to enhance shelter operations, improve animal outcomes, increase live release rates, expand community engagement, and strengthen partnerships with rescue organizations, veterinary providers, advocates, and other public and private stakeholders. The manager actively participates in development of program and division budgets and is responsible for ongoing management of budget and expenditures. The incumbent monitors operational performance through data analysis and performance metrics, identifies opportunities for continuous improvement, and implements evidence-based solutions to achieve organizational goals. Official Classification Title: Public Health Program Manager For more detailed information, refer to the Public Health Program Manager job description. ABOUT ANIMAL CARE The mission of the San Bernardino County Animal Care is to prevent rabies in humans and pets, to educate the public about responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spaying and neutering, to protect and serve the public and pets by enforcing all laws and ordinances pertaining to animal care, to care for all animals domestic and wild, to reunite lost pets with their owners, to place unwanted pets into new homes, and to maintain a high quality of service.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Public/Business/Health Administration, Health Sciences, Animal Science, Animal Husbandry or a closely related field of study.
Three (3) years of full-time equivalent, professional administrative experience (e.g. policy development and evaluation; strategic program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation; contract and grant development, administration, and monitoring; budget oversight; high-level research and data analytics; and interpersonal, public, and community relations) in a Public Health program, community health organization, or closely related agency.
Two (2) years includes full-scope supervision that involved hiring, performance evaluations, and discipline up to and including termination.
Supervisory experience must be gained through a formal, regular supervisory assignment.
Must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Must pass a background investigation which includes verification of employment history and education, fingerprinting, physical exam, and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Collaborative and results-oriented leader.
Demonstrated experience managing complex animal shelter and field operations.
Demonstrated experience supervising staff.
Demonstrated experience driving organizational change.
Demonstrated experience balancing operational excellence with a strong commitment to animal welfare, public safety, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and exceptional service to residents.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative management of the San Bernardino County Animal Care Division.
Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate all aspects of County animal shelter and/or administration and field operations, and animal care programs.
Oversee the daily operations of the County's animal shelters and/or administration and field services, ensuring the health, safety, and humane treatment of all animals.
Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate division-wide policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices.
Provide leadership through subordinate supervisors, directing and supporting multidisciplinary teams.
Responsible for employee development, performance management, succession planning, and fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.
Lead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives designed to enhance shelter operations, improve animal outcomes, increase live release rates, expand community engagement, and strengthen partnerships.
Actively participate in the development of program and division budgets and responsible for ongoing management of budget and expenditures.
Monitor operational performance through data analysis and performance metrics, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and implement evidence-based solutions.