Supervisor Animal Services

City of Toronto • Union, NJ

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisor, Animal Services role is responsible for developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures, participating in operational plan development, and supervising staff to ensure high standards of work quality and organizational performance. This position oversees the day-to-day operations of assigned staff, including scheduling, performance monitoring, and grievance handling. The Supervisor also manages the assigned budget, makes recommendations for service delivery improvements, and ensures compliance with animal services by-laws and relevant legislation. They represent the City at tribunal hearings, provide expertise to various agencies, liaise with community stakeholders, and develop revenue-generating programs and outreach initiatives. The role involves implementing technological changes to improve efficiency, compiling statistical data for program tracking, and ensuring animal care and husbandry practices align with best practices. Additionally, the Supervisor manages regional animal shelter programs, external service delivery contracts, prepares briefing notes, responds to inquiries and complaints, and manages building maintenance and housekeeping requirements.

Requirements

• Post-Secondary education in disciplines pertinent to the job function (i.e. Veterinary Technology, Police Foundations from a recognized College or University) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive experience working in an Animal Shelter and enforcement environment.
• Experience delivering animal services and management of animal facilities and operations.
• Experience operating within a regulatory environment at a supervisory level.
• Excellent computer skills and the ability to use various applications (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite).
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
• Highly developed interpersonal, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential matters.
• Familiarity with relevant employment legislation including Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a valid Province of Ontario, Class "G" Driver's Licence and ability to obtain a City of Operators Permit for assigned vehicle(s) and equipment.
• Must be immunized against rabies and have a rabies titre taken every two years to determine immunity level and, if needed, receive booster vaccinations against rabies.
• Selected candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of animal service-related applications would be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develops, reviews, amends and implements policies and procedures as required.
• Participates in the development and implementation of operational plans (harmonization of services city- wide).
• Supervises, motivates and trains assigned staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Supervises the day-to-day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work.
• Authorizes and coordinates vacation and overtime requests.
• Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments, hears grievances and executes disciplinary action when necessary.
• Provides input into and administers assigned budget, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Makes recommendations and assists the manager in effective planning, implementation and delivery of animal services.
• Recommends, reviews and delivers internal and external programs recommending options and implementing changes as required to improve operational performance and service delivery.
• Ensures the development, implementation and maintenance of a quality assurance program for front-line staff.
• Monitors staff's daily activities to ensure proficiency and effective service delivery.
• Supervises program delivery to ensure compliance with Animal Services by-laws and other related legislation.
• Administers municipal and provincial statutes and ensures that they are delivered to the community using appropriate tools and strategies, such as education on responsible pet ownership and enforcement.
• Represents the City at Tribunal Hearings with respect to Dangerous Dog Orders issued by the city under the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349.
• Provides advice and expertise on Animal Services related issues to other city departments, other municipalities, provincial and federal agencies, International Agencies and non-governmental organizations.
• Liaises with community residents, groups, agencies and councillors to address community needs and deliver programs and services.
• Investigates, establishes and monitors revenue generating programs and partnerships (licenses, Adopt-a-Thons, etc.).
• Develops and delivers outreach programs to promote the human-animal bond.
• Implements technological changes to increase public awareness and track program activities to improve the efficiency of the service (i.e. kiosks and Internet services to display animals for adoption and lost and found, activity tracking of field staff, etc.).
• Compiles, collates and evaluates statistical data (i.e. adoption rates, number of sheltered animals, field service activities, etc.) for program tracking and quality assurance.
• Ensures that the provision of Animal Care and Husbandry is consistent with best practices and the guidelines as established by the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
• Creates, implements and supervises all regional animal shelter programs (i.e. animal adoptions) and partnerships (animal adoption agency network, volunteer program).
• Establishes and monitors external service delivery contracts including development, review and selection process for Requests for Quotation and Requests for Proposals (i.e. grounds maintenance, veterinary services, after hours emergency care, in-house spay/neuter clinics, microchip contracts, etc.)
• Prepares, reviews and edits briefing notes on related issues, responds to public and councillor- generated complaints and inquiries.
• Initiates press releases and responds to media inquiries including on-camera and on-air interviews on a regional basis.
• Represents Toronto Animal Services at community meetings, conferences and seminars, presents papers and facilitates forums nationally and internationally.
• Represents Toronto Animal Services on departmental and city-wide multidisciplinary committees.
• Manages the maintenance and repair of the building, housekeeping requirements and projected costs in accordance with provincial regulations, program policy and established best practices.

Benefits

• The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization.
• We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.
• Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree