Field Services Manager - Animal Shelter

City of Seattle•15th Avenue West, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Seattle is seeking a Field Services Manager to lead the animal control team for the Seattle Animal Shelter. The Field Services Manager plays a pivotal role in overseeing the City’s animal control services and ensuring responsive, community-centered enforcement of animal control ordinances and related laws and regulations. The position leads a cohesive team of 16 animal control officers and a supervisor who supports public safety, responsible pet ownership and humane and ethical treatment of animals in Seattle. The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader with extensive experience in animal services within multifaceted government agencies or jurisdictions. They are committed to animal welfare and equitable, community-centered practices. ABOUT US The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) is a nationally recognized animal welfare organization that promotes public safety and animal welfare and protects animals from cruelty and neglect in the City of Seattle. SAS runs animal sheltering and adoption programs to reunite lost animals with their owners and places animals in forever homes. SAS hosts a spay and neuter clinic providing low-cost services and manages pet licensing for City residents. And SAS’ animal control field services staff enforce Seattle’s laws regarding animals, helping keep animals and people safe. FAS is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet. The 500-plus employees of FAS span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—overseeing the City's neighborhood customer service centers and Customer Service Bureau and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. No matter the need, FAS is here—at your service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in animal science, animal behavior, or related field (or equivalent experience, 2 years’ experience is equivalent to bachelor’s degree), AND Five (5) years’ experience in animal control, AND Two (2) years’ experience in a supervisory or lead role, preferably in animal control. (Or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.)
Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to operate shelter vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience managing a field services team
Experience using PetPoint and proficiency with MS 360 programs
Experience working at a municipal shelter
Experience managing represented staff
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
Extensive knowledge of state and local animal control laws and regulations
Bilingual abilities to help support a diverse, multi-lingual customer base

Responsibilities

Oversee the field services unit; providing leadership and technical expertise.
Ensure effective coverage and response to community calls and concerns, compliance with relevant laws and effective coordination with both internal and external partners.
Ensure unit staff receive appropriate training and certifications as needed.
Ensure unit staff are transporting and handling animals in a humane and safe manner.
Responsible for overall enforcement of animal control laws and ordinances, including investigations, issuing citations, documenting evidence and working with prosecution attorneys.
Coordinate with local law enforcement, regulatory boards, and other external partners to ensure effective and appropriate enforcement of animal related laws.
Coordinate with veterinary, animal care and other internal units as needed to ensure effective and efficient coordination and collaboration of duties.
Ensure unit related equipment including vehicles meet safety, legal and other established standards.
Maintain accurate records of intakes, case management, and other unit relevant information.
Maintain budgets, supplies, and inventory for unit operations.
Lead community outreach and education programs related to unit operations.
Respond to public inquiries, complaints and other requests for information.
Maintain unit statistics and prepare analysis, reports and updates as scheduled and/or requested.
Promote a caring attitude toward all animals and treat animals humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances, including those that are sick, injured, feral, or aggressive.
Promote compassionate, fair, and non-judgmental enforcement and investigation practices, ensuring all individuals are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.
Support and participate in departmental response to disaster and emergency events.