For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.
About The Position
Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately to receive priority consideration.
Recruitment will remain open until position is filled.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services invites applications for an inspiring leader to join its executive team as the Assistant Director of Animal Services (Administrative).
Under the general direction of the Director of Animal Services, the Assistant Director serves as a chief administrative executive, providing strategic leadership and executive oversight for one of California's largest municipal animal services organizations. This position is responsible for organizational leadership, fiscal stewardship, policy implementation, personnel management, operational oversight, and execution of the Department's long-term vision. The Assistant Director leads through experienced managers, supervisors, and technical professionals, partnering with the executive team and shelter leadership to strengthen organizational culture, ensure operational consistency, and advance department priorities. The position provides executive oversight of customer-facing intake operations and outcome programs, ensuring services are delivered with professionalism, compassion, efficiency, and consistency. The Assistant Director champions a customer-focused approach that enhances the experience of pet owners, adopters, rescue partners, and community members while supporting positive outcomes for animals in the Department's care.
The Assistant Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Department's administrative functions, fostering exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and a collaborative workplace culture. This role builds strong partnerships across divisions, promotes open communication, and aligns administrative practices to ensure consistent, high-quality service for both internal and external customers.
Working closely with department leadership, the Assistant Director oversees key administrative operations, supports staff development, and ensures employees have the training, tools, and resources needed to succeed. The position drives continuous improvement by streamlining business processes, strengthening customer service delivery, improving organizational effectiveness, and identifying innovative solutions that support the Department's mission.
As a collaborative and service-oriented executive, the Assistant Director cultivates a positive, accountable, and high-performing work environment that values professionalism, innovation, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will help ensure the Department delivers responsive, compassionate, and efficient services that meet the needs of the community while advancing excellence in animal care and organizational performance.
This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (2) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of their respective Department Head.
This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311(B) of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Thousand Palms.
Examples Of Essential Duties
- Provide administrative oversight for departmental operations, programs, and strategic initiatives.
- Inspire, mentor, and support staff while promoting a positive and cohesive organizational culture.
- Direct managerial staff to ensure productivity, culture alignment, and positive morale.
- Develop strategies that strengthen team performance and ensure clear understanding of expectations.
- Create and implement communication strategies that promote collaboration and alignment across all shelters and units.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional public service.
- Oversee budget development, fiscal stewardship, and long-range resource planning.
- Support implementation of Board priorities and Department strategic initiatives.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Director and executive leadership team.
- Collaborate with the executive team to ensure fiscal responsibility, process improvements, and effective resource allocation.
- Represent the Department effectively with elected officials, partner agencies, and the public.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates should possess the education, experience, and executive leadership competencies identified in the County's adopted classification specification. Demonstrated success in administration, organizational management, budgeting, policy implementation, personnel leadership, and strategic planning is essential.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public health, veterinary medicine, environmental health, public administration, or a related field to the assignment.
Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of full-time experience.
Experience: Four years of professional experience at a managerial or supervisory level in a public or private organization involved in animal services, public health, law enforcement, code enforcement, healthcare, or closely related field, which must have included responsibility for directing the activities of subordinate staff, managing programs and budgeting.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in public or environmental health, or public administration may substitute for two years of the experience.
Knowledge Of
- Principles and practices of governmental management.
- Budget principles.
- Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment.
- Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, in person and over the telephone.
Ability To
- Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
- Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of subordinate staff.
- Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues.
- Monitor and interpret budgets and other financial documents.
- Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with others.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- Interpret and summarize a variety of data and information.
- Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of information.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public.
Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Application Status
How to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to www.GovernmentJobs.com , click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on “Applications & Status.”
Sign Up for Job Alerts
Go to www.RC-HR.com , click on “Careers,” click on “County Job Openings,” and click on “Subscribe to Job Alerts” icon.
General Information
If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at vdbeaird@rivco.org or (951) 955-9112. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the '
Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .
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