Division Director - Domestic Animal Services

Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages. New employees are hired at, or near the entry point shown, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.

About the Role

The Director of Domestic Animal Services is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning, organization, operations, and administration of activities related to animal care, control, and welfare within Collier County. This includes enforcing state laws and county ordinances, developing policies, procedures, team members, and facilities. The director plays a crucial role in community outreach, education, and fostering partnerships to enhance the quality of life for animals and increase adoption rates.

The ideal candidate should be a community-focused leader with excellent administrative, business, and operational skills. The candidate must be adept at building positive relationships with county officials, staff, and the community, and have a deep commitment to animal welfare.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the shelter, providing support in the development and implementation of division policies and procedures, and managing current issues and priorities.
• Responsible for strategic and budgetary planning, creation, and execution of new programs.
• Maintain accountability for finances, including division usage, expenses, and revenue; reviewing budgets and financial reporting; making recommendations for financial support, capital purchases, with operational changes and financial justifications; submitting financial and staffing metrics as requested.
• Investigate and address any client and staff concerns, implementing changes as required, monitoring effectiveness of solutions, and communicating recommendations to Department Head.
• Research, prepare, and present information and materials to Commissioners/legislative bodies for the purpose of creating or amending regulations, ordinances, or other legislation necessary for effective divisional operations.
• Attend official functions, commissioner, and community meetings; make presentations and public speeches to the media, civic groups, schools, and churches.
• Oversee staff responsible for assessment of animals for health and determination of adoptability; ensure, through subordinate staff, the examination and treatment of animal injuries and illnesses; observation and evaluation of animal behavior, characteristics, and interaction with humans.
• Respond to County Manager and Board of Commissioners referrals relative to animal care and animal control issues.
• Coordinate with other animal care agencies and organizations to provide the most effective services regarding the control and care of animals.
• Represent the County on matters concerning state and local animal laws, services, and animal shelter operations.
• Promote teamwork and cooperation across a multi-disciplinary team.
• May be required to be on twenty-four-hour call and/or regularly work on various shifts, weekends, and/or holidays as deemed necessary.
• Serve as an essential employee required to work during periods of high volume and during undeclared/declared County emergencies, including reporting before, during, and after declared emergencies in the County's Emergency Operations Center.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a similar field. Candidates without a degree should possess four additional years of related experience.
• Five years of progressive experience in a supervisory or administrative role, with significant public interaction and public relations tasks.
• Experience working in a private or public shelter.
• Demonstrated experience in administration, operations, customer service, shelter management, pet adoption, and animal-related law enforcement.
• May be required to obtain and maintain state certification in Euthanasia Injection, operation of crematory equipment, and Animal Cruelty Investigations, as well as other certifications related to this position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle.

Benefits

Collier County BCC offers a variety of benefits to both regular full and part-time employees. View the comprehensive benefits package.

Pay

Salary offers above the minimum of the pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.