Animal Resources & Care Supervisor (Shelter)

Associates degree in a field of study related to animal welfare or business administration and two years' experience in animal welfare or four years' experience in animal welfare or a closely related field; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. 

Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience may be considered for trainee status.

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

As a condition of employment, incumbents must meet all Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements/prerequisites to handle controlled substances.

 

Must successfully pass the Euthanasia Technician Certification Course through FACA within six (6) months of date of hire.

 

 Position Summary: This is highly responsible supervisory work coordinating the daily activities of Animal Resources & Care employees.

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for taking initiative; improving morale; assisting and educating citizens, staff and volunteers about County-wide ordinances and departmental procedures for adoptions, reclaims and pick-ups; generating ideas for continuous process improvement, working collaboratively with internal and external partners; leading, scheduling and training the diverse staff assigned and maintaining vehicles, the kennel, and grounds. 

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.

 Examples of Duties: ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Leads the diverse Animal Resources & Care staff offering guidance, training and support in an accountable, approachable and professional manner. 

Determines work procedures and schedules; issues instructions and assigns duties; reviews work; recommends personnel actions; and conducts performance reviews.

Builds strong working relationships with department staff, County departments, animal welfare partners and other local and state partners.

Professionally represents the Department to elected officials, citizens and other County departments both verbally and in writing.

Formulates standard operating procedures, plans, and budgets for maximum efficiency of shelter operations. 

Manages the department's budget and resources with an emphasis on responsible stewardship; monitors budget expenditures for shelter activities.

Implements appropriate procedures and makes recommendations for department-wide procedures.

Responsible for the supervision of daily animal care operations provided by shelter staff to include proper feeding and watering of all animals, sanitation of kennel and cages, and humane treatment of all animals; ensuring appropriate exercise and enrichment is conducted for animals and administering necessary grooming and hygiene activities.

 

Coordinates medical and animal health needs with veterinary staff. 

 

Monitors flow of animals through shelter from intake to adoption, rescue, or euthanasia. 

 

Assists staff with euthanasia duties; establishes and maintains controls over medications utilized; and ensures disposals are in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations. 

 

Monitors animals in quarantine.

 

Participates in Emergency Operations Center activations. 

 

Actively engages volunteers to support lifesaving and community programs.

 

Maintains all animal records for the department.

 

Ensures shelter building, work and office areas, equipment and grounds are maintained in good, operable conditions to assure efficient operations and safety for animals, staff, and general public. 

 

Establishes and enforces guidelines and protocols for a safe work environment; models safe working practices and ensures staff complies with personal protective equipment directives. 

 

Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk. 

Produces professional, accurate, quality reports which may include kennel count, kennel inventory and euthanasia reports; completes appropriate logs and incident reports.

Values lifelong learning to remain current on professional trends and takes a personal interest in the professionalism and career development of staff.

Supervises and participates in animal cruelty investigations.

Examines animals to determine need of services from veterinarian.

 

Monitors the use of all drugs and hazardous substances used by Animal Control in accordance with state and federal regulations.

 

Responsible for humane euthanasia of designated animals in accordance with department procedure, applicable laws and regulations and best practices.

 

Acts as Department Director in his/her absence.

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties.

 

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

 

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of animal husbandry, including humane methods of handling, sanitation, care, feeding, and behavioral assessment of animals.

 

Considerable knowledge of shelter guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters. 

 

Considerable knowledge of County ordinances, law enforcement and health regulations pertaining to animals and related legal procedures.

Knowledge of common animal diseases, zoonosis, and species specific, and injury recognition and treatment. 

 

Knowledge of the operation of drugs, and related supplies for an animal sheltering facility. 

 

Knowledge of species and breeds of animals, both domestic and wild. 

 

Knowledge of common shelter programs such as adoptions, fostering, transfers to humane organizations and the promotion of these programs. 

Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of subordinate employees.

Ability to prepare and interpret related budget and statistical reports.

Ability to deal effectively with the public especially during emotional or stressful situations and enforce high standards of customer service.

Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds;. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions; occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather); fumes or airborne particles; and toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.