Assistant Director of Animal Services

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services invites applications for an experienced and inspiring leader to join its executive team as Assistant Director of Animal Services.
Under the general direction of the Director of Animal Services, the Assistant Director provides both strategic and hands-on leadership for the department’s Field and Shelter Operations. This role plays a key part in creating a unified approach to animal care, field services, and community engagement while promoting lifesaving initiatives and maintaining high standards for public safety and sheltering practices. The Assistant Director works closely with the executive team and shelter leaders to strengthen organizational culture, ensure consistency across operations, and develop programs and processes that advance departmental goals.

The Assistant Director will lead a culture transformation within the department by building cohesion, aligning practices, and fostering consistency in service delivery. The Assistant Director will help staff reconnect with their purpose by fostering a shared sense of mission, reminding teams of the meaningful impact their work has on the lives of animals and the community. Working collaboratively with shelter leadership, this position will ensure all staff are properly trained, certified, and united under shared goals and standards. Serving as a unifying voice across all shelters, the Assistant Director will promote best practices in animal welfare and lifesaving efforts.

With an equal focus on both field and shelter operations, the Assistant Director will oversee policy and procedure compliance, champion community engagement through education and outreach, and strengthen partnerships that emphasize prevention and compassion over enforcement. The Assistant Director may also be called upon to respond to emergency situations and assist with complex or sensitive legal cases requiring sound judgment and attention to detail.

The ideal candidate for Assistant Director of Animal Services will bring strong leadership and communication skills, a collaborative management style, and a passion for driving positive change.

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.

• Plan, organize, coordinate, monitor, review, and evaluate the activities and performance of the Department of Animal Services and its programs to ensure effective and efficient operations; assist in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives and policies; assist in the development and implementation of operating and administrative policies; review and study changes in legal and procedural requirements which affect programs, implementing necessary changes in department operations; perform special studies as assigned by the Director; assume total responsibility for assigned special projects and provide periodic status reports.

• Select, assign and direct subordinate supervisors and managers; evaluate their performance; act on the Director's behalf as assigned.

• Participate in program planning and preparation of the annual department budget and monitor expenditures against the budget; ensure the development and maintenance of revenue and cost controls to maintain compliance with budget; prepare work load statistics and fee studies; may negotiate service contracts with organizations and agencies.

• Interact with members of the Board of Supervisors and their staff regarding community issues, problems and constituent complaints; conduct public presentations at Board meetings, city council meetings and community and social interest groups; speak before other professional and community groups; may chair or otherwise coordinate public advisory committees and represent the Department at state and local committees, taskforces, and work groups regarding various issues.

• 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; interface with County Board of Supervisors and other contract city agencies as necessary to monitor compliance with contracts or Joint City/County Animal Services.

• Provide oversight to Veterinarian staff ensuring surveillance of all diseases, including zoonotic, impacting humans and animal welfare in Riverside County.

• Develop and promote effective working relationships with other County departments, local, regional, and state agencies, and organizations involved in animal services, law enforcement, emergency services, and administrative services to facilitate coordinated programs, and solve mutual problems and/or exchange information.

• Investigate difficult or issues or enforcement problems, and resolve complaints or conflicts that arise from state and local laws, regulations, program policies, staff enforcement activities, and public concerns; may confer with members of the public and animal owners regarding the applicability and impact of animal welfare laws and county ordinances.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, animal services, 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 level in a municipal or government-operated animal shelter, which must have included responsibility for directing the activities of subordinate staff, managing programs and budgeting.

Knowledge of: The principles of budget, organization and personnel management; policies and regulations affecting program administration; principles of supervision and staff utilization; functions of animal services facilities; state laws relating to State/County Animal Control/Rabies Enforcement, and Fish and Game programs; working with organized volunteer groups, spay/neuter and adoption programs; regulations regarding the humane treatment of animals as promulgated by the Federal Animal Welfare Act, the USDA and/or other organizations; criminal justice processes as they relate to Animal Control law enforcement; functions and relationships of governmental agencies and community organizations responsible for providing public services; principles and methods of planning, developing, and evaluating assigned programs.

Ability to: Plan, organize, coordinate, evaluate, and manage the work of assigned functions and staff; analyze organizational, administrative and budgetary problems, and effectuate sound solutions; comprehend, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and procedures affecting operations; maintain effective relationships with a variety of agencies, organizations and individuals; promote various program and services awareness among community groups and organizations; prepare comprehensive and clear oral and written reports.

Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

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• County of Riverside, California

• 951-955-3510