Assistant Director - Animal Shelter Division

Loudoun County Animal Services is continuing to grow as a top animal welfare organization in Virginia with a team that works each day to ensure a humane community for animals and people. Nestled in Northern Virginia, Loudoun County is located just 25 miles west of Washington, D.C., and is home to more than 450,000 residents across historic, rural, and suburban areas.

About the role

Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) promotes public safety and the compassionate treatment of all animals through humane education, community outreach, sheltering, and law enforcement. The department maintains a positive reputation, benefits from over 24,000 volunteer hours annually, and receives an average of 2,400 animals each year. For fiscal year 2026, its budget is approximately $7.4 million with 55 FTE.

As the first-ever Assistant Director, you will report directly to the Department Director and serve on the department’s senior leadership team. This role is fundamental to executing the department’s overall operations and strategic planning, focusing on a compassionate, community-focused approach to animal shelter operations, business and personnel management, professional development, crisis management, and public relations.

The Assistant Director will work from the department’s 21,439 SF state-of-the-art facility in Leesburg, VA, which opened in 2021 and includes a humane law enforcement suite and veterinary clinic.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department Director at internal and external meetings and act as the Department Director in their absence.
• Assist the Department Director with overseeing internal operations, including budget, finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, safety and security, and space and asset management.
• Provide leadership and direction to department employees, including professional development planning, recruitment, retention, performance assessments, and corrective action for employee misconduct or poor performance.
• Supervise teams responsible for animal sheltering, behavior and care, customer service, public programming, and community outreach in a collective bargaining environment.
• Establish and maintain emergency operations plans.
• Support the review and drafting of information for the Loudoun County Office of the County Administrator, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and other groups as necessary.
• Set strategic goals for assigned areas, establish metrics and accountability measures, and support a newly expanded staff.
• Handle complex events, such as overseeing large-scale animal intakes during enforcement activities or inter-agency transfers, and collaborate with the Chief of Humane Law Enforcement to ensure intra-departmental collaboration.
• Ensure ongoing adherence to the ASV Animal Shelter Guidelines.
• Prioritize work for self and staff, and manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Communicate with the media and news reporters when inquiries are made.
• Attend meetings of the Board of Supervisors and other public events that may occur in the evenings or on weekends.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Veterinary/Animal Science, Non-profit Management, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of directly related, progressively responsible work experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or management role, preferably in a government setting.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record (driving records may be reviewed annually for continued qualification).
• Rabies pre-exposure vaccination series required immediately upon hire unless proof of prior vaccination is provided.
• Must not have allergies to, or fear of, common companion animal species, including cats, dogs, reptiles, guinea pigs, and rabbits.
• Ability to handle and restrain animals weighing over 100 pounds and lift animals weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to work in environments with inherent dangers such as fractious animals, fall hazards, loud and repetitive noises, zoonotic diseases, and exposure to unpleasant smells.
• Euthanasia Certification (Virginia) required within 6 months of hire.
• FEMA-NIMS Incident Command System 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 coursework must be completed within one (1) year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Animal Welfare Administrator certification.
• Comprehensive knowledge of animal shelter management, including inclusive language, public safety tenets, herd health fundamentals (physical and mental), modern intake and adoption practices, and pet retention programming.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop working relationships with County staff, state agencies, and regional partners.
• Awareness of the legislative process and ability to evaluate legislative items for their impact on department and County operations.
• Ability to interpret complex veterinary and procurement documents.
• Experience in determining the best use of human, fiscal, and material resources.
• Strong project management skills.
• History of successful engagement with external entities, including other government and non-profit organizations.

Work Conditions

• May be exposed to contagious diseases, parasites, noxious fumes, chemicals, and unpleasant smells.
• Work involves end-of-life decision-making for pets deemed dangerous, suffering, or otherwise unsuitable for adoption.
• Required to report to work during shelter operations or special communication efforts with the public, including large volume adoptions or intakes.
• May experience adverse or hostile reactions from the community, leading to compassion fatigue.
• Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for self or others.
• Successful candidates will undergo background checks, including criminal, credit, fingerprinting, and DMV checks.