The Department has opportunities for Animal Services Supervisors in Jurupa. Training for these positions may take place in either Jurupa and/or San Jacinto. In addition, this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies throughout Riverside County, including Coachella Valley and San Jacinto.

The Animal Services Supervisor may provide oversight to the Animal Care Team. The incumbent will plan and schedule the feeding and care to all animals within the shelter. The Animal Care Supervisor will train and motivate the Animal Care Team as they assist in adoptions, animal return and relinquishment, answer questions, handle complaints, and provide support for constituents. They assist in the hiring and training of employees, monitoring progress, and coaching them to cultivate the knowledge and skills to provide excellent service to customers. This position requires hands on animal handling, cleaning, and the ability to assist in humane euthanasia.

The department desires candidates who possess supervisory or lead experience, strong customer service background, verbal and written skills, and compassion, empathy, and a desire to work in public service.

Competitive candidates will have experience leading a team of customer service representatives with hands on experience in supporting a team and animal care. Chameleon or other animal care tracking software experience is also highly desired but not required. Candidates who are able to jump in and support a team are encouraged to apply!

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, schedule, assign, train, and supervise the activities of the animal care staff including the care of animals, breed recognition, disease control, prosecution of violations of animal control ordinances and laws, and the impounding, releasing, sale, and/or destruction of stray or dangerous animals within a particular geographical area or program function; may act as the Animal Services Chief in the event of his or her absence.

• Oversee the administration and clerical work of an assigned department unit including, but not limited to, customer service, veterinary services, call-centers, shelter services, admissions, citations, impounding, adoptions, spay and neuter, foster care, and licensing.

• May on occasion repair minor shelter facilities and maintenance issues; contact Facilities for work orders and equipment requests.

• May conduct inventory check of animals to ensure all animals are accounted for; may check inventory of supplies in warehouse; prepare food and supply orders for department operations; organize supplies.
• Enter licensing, spay/neuter, surgery, microchips, vaccines, adoptions, foster logs, transfers, and release information into database.

• Answer customer complaints and provide conflict resolution management.

• Oversee the processing of adoptions, euthanasia requests and intend to comply reports.

• May handle cash payments for animal services fees; balance and count cash at the close of business.

• May conduct audits on reconciliations, microchip transactions and licensing transactions.

• May direct the operation of an animal shelter including feeding, kenneling and the general handling of animals, marketing efforts to encourage redemptions and adoptions of animals, and interviewing and selecting new employees.

• Plan and participate in departmental training programs for assigned staff; conduct courses and evaluate employee achievements and course effectiveness; prepare performance evaluations and review with subordinates; counsel employees in an attempt to resolve grievances and, when necessary, recommend disciplinary action.

• May assist the Animal Services Chief with the planning and developing of the Animal Care Program by identifying objectives of animal regulations, preparing policies and standard procedures, and developing overall goals.

• Recommend changes and improvements in existing programs and procedures; assist with the preparation of the annual budget, recommending and justifying adjustments in personnel and equipment.

• Interpret ordinances, statutes, regulations, and policies to the staff and general public while providing technical assistance in the resolution of difficult field investigations; prepare case files and assemble necessary documentation; may submit and discuss cases with the Animal Services Chief, Deputy Director and legal counsel, as appropriate.

• Promote animal control services by community relations with civic, governmental and private groups; assist the Community Outreach and Education Division; coordinate educational programs with schools, law enforcement agencies, media, and other groups; work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups when joint action is required.

• Maintain workload statistics; prepare reports and correspondence concerning the Unit; may set up maintenance schedules for shelter devices required in the performance of animal care duties to ensure that they are kept in safe operating condition.

• Review reports and other written materials composed by the staff; conduct and attend various supervisory meetings and conferences with management; may inspect and supervise the maintenance of equipment and vehicles of personnel. OPTION IEducation: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test. (An associate's degree or completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with course work in animal husbandry or a closely related field is preferred.)

Experience: Two years of experience, in which one year was in a lead or supervisory capacity, in a public or non-profit animal control program or in a closely related animal care field (e.g., veterinary office, animal grooming facility or animal board and kennel facility), which included responsibility for the caring, impounding and disposing of animals.

OPTION IIEducation: Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with course work in secretarial sciences, office practices, business education, or a closely related field to the assignment.

Experience: Three years of clerical experience.

ALL OPTIONSKnowledge of: Principles and techniques of supervision related to the selection, training, direction, motivation, and evaluation of subordinates; state and county laws, codes and regulations governing animal control; legal liabilities and responsibilities of those concerned with the enforcement of animal control regulations and laws; causes, symptoms and safe handling of rabid animals; legal regulations, reports and procedures for the handling of rabies; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, format, and style; modern office practices and procedures, including preparing correspondence and reports, and filing; standard office equipment, including the programming of a variety of material information processing equipment; the capabilities and applications of information processing equipment; various breeds of animals and their care and feeding.

Ability to: Plan, schedule and direct the work of others employed in animal care and clerical work; supervise kennel investigations; write comprehensive and detailed reports; exercise tact and good judgment; develop and maintain working relationships with the public and other governmental agencies; gather and present evidence and testify in court; work effectively under stressful situations; organize and meet deadlines; read, comprehend and interpret laws and regulations pertaining to animal control; perform complex clerical work involving independent judgment and initiative; read and interpret information from charts, graphs and tables; gather data and organize it into report format; understand and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and written policies and procedures, and apply them to specific situations; supervise subordinates; care for and safely handle animals so as to avoid injury to persons and animals.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Physical Requirements: Lift, carry, push, and pull heavy objects that may weigh more than 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation .

This posting may be used to fill future mission critical vacancies.For specific questions regarding this position, contact Amanda Campos at acampos@rivco.org.