Animal Services Director

City of El Paso is seeking a highly qualified, collaborative, and experienced leader to manage and promote animal care and welfare services for its Animal Services Department. This executive position reports to the Deputy City Manager and leads a department with a $16.2 million FY26 budget, 26,917 animal intakes in 2025, and approximately 188 staff and 390 active volunteers.

About the role

The successful candidate will advance El Paso Animal Services by strengthening operational stability, achieving a 90% live release target, and fostering a workplace culture where employees are well-informed, valued, accountable, and empowered. Responsibilities include managing shelter and field operations, public health and regulatory compliance, budget and administration, community programs, volunteer and partner engagement, and long-range planning.

Responsibilities

• Manage department operations and administration, including budget, policies, procedures, and resources to support program goals.
• Plan and manage budgets, accounting, information systems, daily operations, and service delivery across shelter, field, medical, community, and support services.
• Ensure kennels and facilities meet state shelter requirements and all applicable animal welfare, public health, and safety standards.
• Address complex field and shelter issues; guide staff on legal proceedings, court orders, and animal control matters.
• Coordinate with veterinarians on zoonotic disease surveillance, inspections, investigations, quarantine, and rabies control.
• Evaluate procedures, systems, and community programs; implement data-informed practices to strengthen care, service, trust, and efficiency.
• Lead department planning and development, including strategic plans, best practices, and program changes to improve outcomes.
• Advance humane, community-focused strategies for reunification, pet retention, low-barrier support, spay/neuter, adoption, volunteers, and partnerships to reduce unnecessary intake.
• Resolve sensitive inquiries and complaints from City leadership, elected officials, agencies, organizations, volunteers, and residents.
• Represent the City and department at meetings with agencies, animal welfare groups, media, partners, employees, volunteers, and the public.
• Prepare reports on activities, results, performance, and goals; coordinate public and Council service responses; build City and partner relationships.
• Responsible for full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, discipline, and recommendations for hiring, promotion, termination, or other employee status changes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Management, Business or Public Administration, Environmental or Public Health, Zoology, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of professional administrative experience or animal control experience, including four (4) years of management or supervisory experience.
• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver’s License or equivalent from another state required by time of appointment.
• Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) certification or equivalent may be required within one (1) year of appointment.
• Residency within the City of El Paso city limits required by date of employment.
• Ability to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Ideal candidate

• Animal Services Expert and Operational Leader: Hands-on expertise in municipal animal services, shelter and field operations, animal welfare, public health, and complex service delivery.
• Exceptional Communicator and Trust Builder: Engages staff, City leaders, officials, volunteers, partners, media, and residents with clarity, transparency, and respect.
• Proven Manager of People and Resources: Leads large teams, manages budgets, aligns staffing and priorities, develops supervisors, and builds accountability in high-volume settings.
• Public Health, Regulatory, and Animal Welfare Expertise: Understands shelter standards, regulations, rabies control, quarantine, zoonotic disease prevention, veterinary coordination, field enforcement, and humane care.
• Strategic and Vision-Oriented Leader: Aligns operations with long-term goals, uses data to improve outcomes, and advances spay/neuter, adoption, and prevention-focused services.
• Community-Focused and Politically Aware: Works effectively in a visible environment with City leaders, advisory bodies, volunteers, advocates, residents, and diverse neighborhoods.
• Culture Builder and Change Leader: Builds a workplace where employees are supported, informed, trained, respected, and accountable, with strong morale and consistent service.
• Adaptive Problem-Solver with High Emotional Intelligence: Collaborative, approachable, resilient leader with integrity, judgment, composure, and empathy in difficult situations.
• Data-Informed and Service-Oriented Executive: Uses performance measures, best practices, feedback, and continuous improvement to guide resources and improve outcomes for people and animals.

Pay

Salary range: $170,000 to $190,000 annually.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off, holidays, parental and shared leave.
• Employee assistance programs and wellness incentives.
• Retirement benefits.
• Optional benefits: Health Savings Account, deferred compensation 457(b) plan, tuition assistance, training and certification resources.

Relocation assistance is subject to City approval and will be addressed with the successful candidate. Learn more about the City's employee benefits.