Salary: $90,000-$125,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Applications to be submitted by June 15, 2005.
OAS receives approximately 4600 animals per year. Budget currently: $1,600,000

Oakland Animal Services seeks an Executive Director to implement a no-kill philosophy, to take lessons learned from the no-kill movement and to work toward a community with a 100% placement of adoptable animals. Looking for a balance of three primary skills: leadership, business management, and animal welfare/sheltering best practices.

 Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; a minimum three years animal welfare/shelter experience; passion/dedication to animal welfare; leadership strength; outstanding communication skills; excellent organizational/motivational skills; financial experience; exceptional staff management experience; strong presentation/public speaking skills; community relations experience; highly motivated/self-starter; annual fund/grant writing experience; demonstrated success in fundraising.

Applicant must be highly motivated, resourceful person with good people and animal skills. Must be computer savvy with experience in MS Word and Excel. Duties include, but not limited to, office and kennel manager and community outreach. Must have ability to handle general kennel care, hiring/evaluating employees, volunteers coordination, community outreach programs, building upkeep, animal evaluations, and administration of animal medications. Must be able to supervise a staff of both employees and volunteers.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Knowledge of state and local laws, regulations, codes and ordinances relating to the proper treatment and sheltering of animals; techniques for properly handling and caring for injured animals; principles of supervision; basic understanding of pharmaceuticals commonly used in the treatment of animals; basic  understanding of the public budgeting process and methods for making effective public presentations. Ability to oversee the operation of an animal shelter; handle a variety of animals safely and in a humane fashion; effectively oversee the expenditure of funds and develop budget recommendations; deal effectively and tactfully with pet owners; make effective presentations to community groups and schools; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Skill to operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.

Operate and care for animal control equipment. Inoculate and medicate animals. Operate a two-way radio. Operate a motor vehicle safely. Ability to supervise, plan, and coordinate the work of technical and clerical personnel as well as volunteers. Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff. Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with policies, procedures and regulations. Prepare clear and concise reports. Enforce laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to animal services. Effectively respond to calls for services. Recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior. Handle potentially dangerous animals in a safe manner. Work weekends, evenings, holidays and special events as needed and required. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Work, plan and coordinate special city and volunteer events.

Responsibilities

Oversight of shelter, in-house spay/neuter, and community outreach programs; management/development of staff; budgeting; liaison to the public and a Board of Directors when an OAS nonprofit is established; strategic planning; fundraising, work closely with the Board of Directors, rescue groups and the community.

Supervises the operations and programs of Oakland's Animal Shelter, assuring that established superior care standards are met for all animals; supervises and directs the work of shelter staff including volunteers; assists in the development and implementation of goals, policies and procedures for the Animal Shelter; assists in the preparation of the budget, prepares reports, administers contracts and programs for outside professional help and recommends policies and procedures to ensure that the Animal Shelter is running efficiently; represents the Animal Shelter at meetings and other events; performs other duties as required.

Assists with front counter operations, including adoptions and customer services, supervises the pet adoption program; coordinates a public education program; provides educational materials and training on the proper care of animals; manages kennel operations and programs, including providing paraprofessional animal health care, and maintains standards of conduct and cleanliness; supervises, trains, coaches, and evaluates full-time and part-time employees and volunteers; coordinates the Animal Shelter's large volunteer program; supervises and, if necessary, does the cleaning and disinfecting of kennels; supervises and, if necessary, does the feeding and care of animals; works with other department staff to maintain the facility; determines ownership of animals brought to the shelter; maintains records as required by law or policy; maintains inventories necessary to operate the facility; oversees the purchasing of shelter supplies; inventories and orders pharmaceuticals under the direction of a veterinarian; provides information to the press regarding shelter activities; assists in developing and then monitoring project budgets and expenditures; prepares administrative reports; transports animals to off-site facilities; assists Oakland Police Department personnel with kenneling animals; makes presentations to community groups regarding the shelter program; conducts and coordinates fund raising events.

Select, train, motivate and evaluate Oakland Animal Services personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.

Work to recruit volunteers; engage volunteers in routine input process; work to increase and stabilize volunteer numbers and participation.

Direct, create and coordinate the work plan for the Animal Services Division; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign clear work functions that increase accountability and ensure a high level of service to the community; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.

Identify, create and implement opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; review with appropriate management staff; implement improvements. Develop progressive programs that engage the general public and the volunteer base; meet with community organizations, the public and representatives of other governmental agencies to discuss projects and concerns; coordinate educational programs and make presentations for schools, civic groups, public agencies and related groups.

Create, implement and manage the Animal Services Division budget and grants; forecast additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies;  monitor and approve expenditures; recommend adjustments as necessary.

Prepare reports on operation statistics and activities. Respond to and resolve difficult inquiries and complaints; interpret ordinances, State statutes,

regulations and City and County policies to the general public and staff; provide technical assistance in the resolution of complex and/or involved field investigations. Assist with the investigation and preparation of formal complaints for court action against violators of animal control ordinances and laws; prepare case files for criminal action; assemble all necessary documentation.

Develop and implement a marketing and public relations program for Animal Services, including creating opportunities for public appearances; creative and innovative community outreach programs; identify and coordinate public/private partnerships with the local business community to enhance and secure the long-term financial success of the Shelter. Develop a complete and comprehensive volunteer program to increase, sustain and recognize volunteer participation, and develop training modules for the volunteers to increase their knowledge of the Shelter and increase their advocacy toward Oakland Animal Services. Develop a viable, healthy and long-term relationship with the Oakland Animal Services non-profit organization (after it is established); assist in the coordination and planning all fund raising functions associated with the non-profit group.

Perform daily inspection of Animal Services facilities to ensure health and welfare of animals; authorize treatment of sick, injured and terminal animals.

Assist in the coordination and response to calls for service in the absence of the Animal Services Officers. Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

May perform the duties Animal Services Officers and Animal Services Assistants in their absence; respond to calls for service as necessary. May proceed with legal action against violators and testify in court. Networks with area veterinarians to resolve animal issues.

Responsible for the daily operations of the animal shelter program under the Oakland Police Department. The incumbent must keep the Police Department staff informed of important operational and program concerns.

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing statistical reports and data, using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near, far, and color vision in performing medical procedures and using the computer, and hearing is required when providing phone and counter service. The use of a computer, and hearing is required when providing phone and counter service. The incumbent is frequently around animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch. The need to lift and carry animals and equipment weighing in excess of 50 pounds also is required.

 Environment

Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. May involve exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals. Occasionally exposed to outside variable weather conditions and potentially infectious diseases and hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and

private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. This position will be around animals known to cause allergies.

I hope you will find this information useful. Please contact me at (818) 781-5280 if I can assist further with helping to compile a job description for your new director.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Laws, Ph.D.

Member of the Greater Valley Glen Council and
President of the League for Earth and Animal Protection (LEAP)
14320 Ventura Blvd., Suite 408
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 781-5280 |
drlaws@adelphia.net or www.ValleyGlen.us

 *Put together from Director Job Descriptions from Palo Alto, CA; Miami, FLA; and Norfolk, VA.

(Potential wording. Submitted to the City of Oakland on March 29, 2005 by Charlotte Laws)

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