Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

The Animal Services Supervisor reports to the Police Special Operations Division Commander and is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the activities of the Animal Services Unit and Animal Shelter.

The Animal Services Supervisor is a working supervisor position. This position performs humane euthanasia when required and provides adoption counseling to potential pet owners. This position plans, coordinates, schedules and provides assistance to the Police Special Operations Division Commander in overseeing the daily work activity of subordinate personnel. This individual also conducts animal cruelty investigations, pet shop inspections and responds to emergency calls after normal hours. Duties require handling both live and dead animals requiring a great deal of physical exertion. The Animal Services Supervisor must exhibit a high degree of compassion and concern for the animals in their charge with considerable work involving personal contact with the general public. This position is subject to overtime, weekend, holiday, standby and callback assignments.

Performs other job related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Police Special Operations Division Commander. The incumbent provides direct supervision to subordinate level staff, Alternative Work Program trustees and volunteers within the assigned service area.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a supervisor classification responsible for the supervision of all animal control functions, the animal shelter and programs/functions within the Animal Services Unit as determined by the Police Special Operations Division Commander. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate technical competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments. Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with state law, municipal codes, ordinances, City policy, and related regulating entities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: - Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plans, coordinates, schedules and supervises the daily work activity of Animal Control Officers; Senior Animal

Control Officers; Kennel Attendants and Clerical staff.

• Administers vaccines and euthanasia solutions to impounded animals, as necessary;

• Maintains logs, records, related forms, annual activity reports and statistical data;

• Examines impounded animals to determine age, sex, and overall condition;

• Maintains inventories and supplies of food, medications, drugs and completes necessary order forms;

• Investigates reports of animal cruelty or abuse, prepares reports of investigations, issues Notices to Appear in Court;

• Conducts periodic inspections of pet shops and kennels to insure compliance with local ordinances;

• Provides information to the general public regarding proper animal care and treatment;

• Conducts educational seminars and presentations, trains and conducts seminars for fellow employees, the general public and interested groups;

• Trains department personnel relative to animal handling, control techniques, tranquilizing, behavior, and

common disease;

• Trains department personnel in humane behavior, handling stress, crisis intervention, and report writing;

• Oversees general clean up and maintenance at the Animal Shelter as required;

• Interviews and conducts animal adoption sessions with potential adopters;

• Coordinates daily activities of Alternative Work Program trustees and/or volunteers at the Animal Shelter;

• Completes performance evaluations;

• Assists subordinate personnel in matters involving more complicated issues;

• Conducts animal bite investigations and places bite suspects under quarantine;

• Maintains time reports and payroll records;

• Reviews work productivity of subordinate personnel for accuracy and completeness;

• Determines health and releases from quarantine or destroys and submits specimens to laboratory for analysis;

• Orders or purchases and distributes or assigns materials, equipment or supplies; maintains related records and inventories;

• Assists in preparation of specialized budgets related to assigned activities; assists in budget implementation; participates in budget forecasts; alerts manager of problems detected in budget related to planned programs, projects or expenditures.

• Issues Warning Notices or Notices to Appear in Court;

• Provides information to the general public regarding policies and procedures used at the Animal Shelter.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Of:

• Basic supervisory methods and techniques;
• Animal behavior, common diseases, sanitation practices, animal anatomy, first aid, animal capture and handling techniques;
• Basic methods of record keeping;
• State and local ordinances relating to animal care, control, welfare and rabies control; and
• Various breeds of dogs and species of animals, including native wildlife and domestic animal behavior.

Ability To:

• Plan, coordinate, schedule and supervise work activity of subordinate staff, AlternativeWork Program trustees, and/or volunteers;
• Administer vaccines to dogs, cats, and other domestic species;
• Administer humane euthanasia to animals;
• Maintain neat and accurate logs, records, and related forms;
• Maintain inventories of food and supplies, medications and drugs;
• Examine impounded animals to determine age, sex, and overall condition;
• Communicate effectively with fellow employees;
• Interact with the public displaying a high degree of courtesy, tact, compassion and poise;
• Understand problems of the general public and furnish clear and satisfactory explanations regarding policies and practices used in the Animal Services Unit;
• Complete employee performance evaluations; and
• Provide a high level of expertise in conducting investigations into more involved problems such as animal abuse or cruelty cases.
• Promote positive working relationships with rescue groups and animal advocacy groups.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible experience in a governmental animal control agency or humane society performing animal control responsibilities, augmented by college level course work in Animal Science. One of the three years of experience shall be in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Education:

Equivalent to an AA/AS Degree from an accredited college, with course work in animal science, business administration, criminal justice or a related field.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance is a condition of continued employment. Possession of a valid Penal Code 832 Certificate (Arrest and Firearms). Possession of a Certificate in Euthanasia as an Animal Control Officer. Completion of the National Animal Control Association Level 1 Training Academy or equivalent course.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: See well enough to read, write and make observations, operate vehicles, animal control related equipment and snare tools; hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone and in person; ability to distinguish odors and colors for identification purposes; bodily mobility to walk, bend, stand, crouch or climb for extended periods of time; operate assigned equipment and vehicles and perform manual labor for extended periods; ability to lift necessary equipment, sacks of animal food, and lift and carry animals weighing up to 80 pounds; ability to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing essential functions of the job.