ANIMAL SERVICES DIRECTOR

Description

Plans, directs, and manages the activities of the Animal Services Department, ensuring the safety and welfare of animals in the County’s care and the protection of public health. Provides strategic leadership to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming facility for both animals and visitors, while creating an efficient, professional, and supportive work environment for staff. Oversees compliance with the Animal Control Ordinance and related statutes, policies, and procedures, ensuring they are communicated and enforced with fairness, tact, and impartiality..

This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of all sheltering and animal control functions within Nassau County. This role ensures the highest standards of public safety, animal care, and customer service while advancing innovative, compassionate solutions to community animal issues. Serves as lead in the design and development of a new, modern shelter facility, a forward-thinking environment that prioritizes animal wellbeing, staff efficiency, and community engagement.

Examples of Duties

• Ensures community health and safety by planning, directing and coordinating countywide animal services operations, including animal control and enforcement, and sheltering and adoption programs.
• Establishes long-rage strategies, policies, and performance measures that drive departmental excellence and align with county goals.
• Oversees and manages budgets, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) requests, procurement, and financial reporting.
• Recommends ordinances and policy changes to improve service delivery and compliance.

• Leads the planning, design, and execution of a new animal shelter, incorporating best practices in animal welfare, sustainability, and customer-centered design.
• Works closely with architects, engineers, animal welfare experts, and County leadership to create a new facility that is safe, functional and welcoming.
• Engages stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, adopters, and the broader community to ensure the new shelter reflects both community values and future growth.
• Provides direct supervision to department staff, including recruitment, training, evaluation, promotions, and discipline.
• Develops a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development, ensuring staff are equipped to meet evolving animal welfare standards.
• Serves as a mentor and leader, setting clear expectations while fostering collaboration across divisions.
• Oversees all aspects of animal care, intake, adoptions, foster programs, and euthanasia in alignment with national best practices.
• Ensures accurate recordkeeping of animal health, intake, outcomes, and veterinary care.
• Develops and implements outreach initiatives to promote adoptions, foster care, volunteerism and public education.
• Represents Animal Services at public meetings, Board of County Commissioners sessions, civic organizations, and regional conferences.
• Builds strong relationships with law enforcement, public health, veterinarians, nonprofits, and emergency management agencies.
• Pursues grant funding, sponsorships, and fundraising opportunities to support shelter operations and the capital build-out of the new facility.
• Consults regularly with County management and provides status updates and performance measures.
• Reviews County ordinances as they pertain to the Department; makes recommendations for changes to same as needed.
• Interprets and enforces local ordinances and state laws with fairness and consistency.
• Analyzes facts and evidence, recommends civil/criminal penalties and prepares and issues citations of violation.
• Prepares and maintains the departmental/project budgets. Coordinates year end closing procedures and processes reimbursements.
• Responsible for the security of euthanasia agent and related materials; provides agent to employees as required, determines animals to be euthanized, reviews and approves daily euthanasia records, maintains accurate related logs, responsible for all aspects of the apprehension, impounding, euthanizing and disposal of diseased, unwanted, unhealthy, problem and vicious animals in compliance with approved county ordinances, policies and procedures; responsible for the registration of pharmaceutical and drug enforcement administration licenses to ensure expiration dates are not exceeded and the license is valid.
• Provides follow-up on all departmental actions, and ensures accurate records are maintained on animal intake, adoptions and veterinary treatments to ensure resolution of all cases.
• Responds to urgent animal-related incidents and emergencies as needed.
• Coordinates with law enforcement on complex animal enforcement cases.
• Receives, reviews, prepares, processes and/or submits various documents, including daily logs, violation notices, maintenance reports, memos, correspondence, accident/incident reports, budget documents, animal activity reports, schedules, payroll documents, invoices, purchase requisitions, performance appraisals, work orders/reports, inventory reports bid request/evaluated bids received and various other reports.
• Serves as Emergency Support Officer; plans and coordinates disaster plans for the Department to include methods of evacuation and sheltering for pets, etc. coordinates with Emergency Management during events; maintains standard operating policy of ESF 17 and recommends revisions as needed; coordinates general field and shelter operations with law enforcement, health department, City and County agencies, volunteer groups, veterinarians. Must work during severe weather events.
• Maintains all departmental equipment and vehicles in a timely manner.
• Operates a vehicle and a variety of equipment, which includes a computer, typewriter, fax machine, copier, recording equipment, telephone, calculator, etc.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness.
• Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave request.
• Performs related duties as required.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Typical Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Public Health, Animal Science, Law Enforcement, or related field, and five (5) years of experience in animal sheltering, three (3) years of which was in a supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of training, education or work experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Extensive relevant experience may substitute for formal education requirements. Must obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) IS-10.A - Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness, IS-11.A - Animals in Disasters: Community Planning and IS-111.A - Livestock in Disasters certifications within one (1) year of hire. Must possess a valid State Driver’s License.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Employee must reside or move within forty-five (45) minutes of the Animal Services Facility within one hundred twenty (120) days of employment.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County as they pertain to the performance duties of the Animal Services Director.
• Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of the County and other Governmental agencies.
• Knowledge in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of codes and regulations related to Animal Control enforcement.
• Ability and willingness to lead by example, while also managing, mentoring, and inspiring a high-performing team.
• Ability to use strong judgment in interpreting and enforcing laws with tact, fairness, and professionalism.
• Ability to offer training and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and technology.
• Ability to use a computer for word processing and records management.
• Ability to perform required mathematical calculations.
• Knowledge in accounting procedures and practices.
• Ability to read and interpret materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and personnel in other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation.
• Knowledge in facilities management and procuring and monitoring vendor contracts.
• Ability to plan, formulate and execute policies and programs.
• Ability to apply management concepts and methods.
• Ability to plan, direct and coordinate a wide range of programs and facilities.
• Ability to create a positive image to the public relative to the aspects and programs of the Department.

• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

Essential Physical Skills:

• Stooping
• Kneeling
• Bending
• Crouching
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs (occasionally heavier weight up to 80 lbs).
• Pushing and pulling
• Climbing on ladders, on steps, or on the ground
• Strength sufficient to assist in handling animals.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

Work Environment:

• Works inside and outside in center and shelter environment.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry.
• Ability to work effectively despite exposure to weather conditions of heat and cold, wetness, humidity, machinery hazards, electrical currents, smoke/dust, odors, dirt/pollen, dangerous animals, traffic hazards and noise extremes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the listed closing date or the position is filled, whichever is earliest. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nassau County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference in accordance with applicable laws.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This position may be required to work in a safety sensitive capacity at any time based on emergency declaration or other operational need. Nassau County reserves the right to edit or re-write this job description at any time.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

BOCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Drugs Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions with a Qualified Plan
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Vision
• Life & AD&D
• Supplemental & Dependent Life & AD&D Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Benefits Offered By Aflac and/or Colonial
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program
• Roth IRA

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee. Employees are required to contribute 3% of their salary per Florida Statute.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County may provide tuition assistance to cover the cost of tuition and books to County employees requesting tuition reimbursement for courses at an accredited college or university which are applicable to the employee's field of work and/or are of such nature to directly prepare employees for positions of greater responsibility within the County. Contact the Human Resources Office for additional details.

HOLIDAYS The following, as well as any other days the BOCC may declare, are designated as official holidays for County Employees:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

PTO LEAVE All full-time employees shall accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) Leave in accordance with the following formula:

Years of Employment Hours Per Year
0 through the end of the 4th year 180
5 years through the end of the 10th year 200
11 years through the end of the 15th year 220
16 years and over 240

For additional information please view Nassau County's Policies & Procedures .

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• Nassau County

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