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Position: Director of Pima County Animal Care Center

Department: Pima Animal Care Center

Pay Range

Full Range: $117,545 - $176,318 Annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.

Pima County is seeking a Director of Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), the government funded animal shelter serving Pima County, a 9,000 sq. mile area that includes, the Cities of Tucson and South Tucson, The Town of Oro Valley, and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. PACC leads the nation in animal sheltering best practices, saving 90%+ of the more than 17,000 domestic pets that enter the shelter annually. PACC has expanded animal sheltering beyond the physical walls of the shelter by inspiring people to be part of the solution and leading with care and compassion while providing resources and education to help keep pets with their families.

The director oversees a $12.5 million budget and 159 positions. This is a unique opportunity to oversee animal services strategy and operations of a large and dynamic public sector organization, recognized for its progressive programming and lifesaving status. You will report directly to the Deputy County Administrator and collaborate with Departments Heads and Elected Officials, to ensure public safety and health are maintained while balancing the health and well-being of the animals in the shelter’s care, driving domestic animal initiatives that support the County’s diverse needs. In this critical role, you will plan, organize, and direct the operations and programs of PACC including the development, coordination, and implementation of policies and procedures affecting animal control and shelter activities, programs, and services. If you have experience in leading an organization in animal sheltering, inspire new ideas and creativity, and strive to create an inclusive and equitable community resource, we invite you to help shape the future of animal welfare in Pima County.

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

The first review of applications will be on 11/22/2024.

Duties/Responsibilities

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

Plan, organize, and direct operations of the Department of Animal Services, providing management direction and control for staff activities, programs, services, and line operations in animal services facilities Countywide; select, assign, and direct subordinate supervisors and other key staff and evaluate their performance.
Enforce federal, State, and local laws and ordinances relating to animal control services; maintain contact with State, local, and other agencies relative to Animal Services concerns.
Communicate, interface, and coordinate with the community and community groups to develop programs that enhance or support the department; speak at community, civic, and business groups to assure communications with the veterinarian medical community, animal rights’ advocates and others; negotiate with private organizations and veterinarians when necessary to provide contractual animal control services; through subordinate staff, assures adequate outreach for volunteer assistance.
Identify problem areas and develop resolutions and enhancement to operations; monitor, evaluate and recommend methods for improving the efficiency of services provided; determine long-range information systems equipment and personnel needs; work with Information System staff to implement improvements.
Coordinate programs for developing, implementing, and maintaining consistent policies and procedures; review policies and procedures for effectiveness and consistency with service goals, standards, and current needs.
Prepare and submit program budget; supervise the review of expenditures and maintenance of budgetary controls including needs for personnel and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business or public administration, animal science, animal biology, or a related field as determined by the Deputy County Administrator at the time of recruitment AND five (5) years of experience in a management or leadership role within the animal care field, such as an animal care facility, animal welfare organization, or related setting.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in delivering services in an animal care setting or other complex social welfare organization serving the community at large, with five (5) years of supervision and/or management experience.
Five (5) years of experience working with organized volunteer groups, spay/neuter, and/or adoption programs.
Five (5) years of experience enforcing State or County laws and regulations governing animal protection, rabies enforcement, and the humane treatment of animals, including related criminal justice processes.
Five (5) years of experience in public speaking and engaging with media representatives.

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Director of Pima County Animal Care Center