Animal Care Supervisor

This classification is scheduled to receive a general wage increase of 4.0% in July 2024.

Placer County is seeking an experienced animal welfare professional for the position of Animal Care Supervisor. This is an outstanding career opportunity for a creative and enthusiastic leader to join the Animal Services Division of Health and Human Services. The ideal candidate is passionate about supporting our community of animals while partnering with staff, volunteers, and community members. A professional excited to lead our animal care team through the ever-evolving field of animal welfare is a must. Placer County Animal Services supports creative and progressive approaches to animal sheltering and is looking for an Animal Care Supervisor that will help us continue to accomplish our goals supporting our communities.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Ensure compliance with and enforcement of state and local laws and ordinances related to humane animal care
• Lead a dynamic team of experienced animal care professionals
• Oversee and implement life saving programs for shelter animals
• Maintain collaborative and positive relationships with the community, non-profit partners, local business and animal shelters to expand programs and services

Since 2016, Placer County Animal Services has operated out of a new, state-of-the-art animal shelter, which cares for nearly 3,000 animals each year. Through progressive return to owner, adoption and medical programs, Placer County Animal Services has continued to achieve live release rates above 90% since 2017.

Get to know us or see our current adoptable pets here!

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To plan, organize, direct and supervise kennel operations; to assist the Animal Services Manager in the administration of animal shelter services; and to act as liaison between community groups, private agencies and other governmental jurisdictions for Placer County Animal Services.

The supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinates and are responsible for a program area within a work unit or department.  This class is distinguished from the Supervising Animal Control Officer in that the latter supervises animal control field activities and is required to possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Course certificate including the training requirements for Penal Code 832, Arrest and  Firearms Training.

Receives general direction from the Animal Services Manager or other higher level supervisory or management personnel.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned technical and clerical personnel.

• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the impounding, releasing, adoption and/or euthanasia of stray, unwanted or dangerous animals.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for animal shelter operations; implement policies and procedures.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for assigned personnel and equipment; monitor and control expenditures.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff and volunteer training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Direct the operations of an animal shelter including feeding, kenneling and the general handling of all animals; work to market efforts to encourage redemptions and adoptions of animals.
• Supervise and participate in the maintenance of the animal shelter facilities and grounds to ensure a clean, sanitary and safe condition; cleaning and disinfecting of kennels and cages; feeding, watering and grooming of animals; provide first aid to wounded animals.  
• Supervise staff in the practice of euthanasia to ensure safe and humane treatment; perform euthanasia by injection as required and dispose of unwanted, unclaimed, sick, injured and aged animals; handle dead and decomposing animal carcasses; and, ensure animal shelter staff members are certified to perform euthanasia.
• Supervise staff in the enforcement of quarantine and dangerous animal procedures to protect public health.
• Supervise or assist in the supervising, training, assignments and coordination of the activities of volunteers and inmate work crews assigned to the shelter.
• Work cooperatively with other law enforcement groups and animal related organizations when joint action is required.
• Receive and classify stray and unwanted domestic animals, livestock and wildlife at the animal shelter and provide appropriate records.
• Handle and impound large and small, domestic and wild animals in order to assure public safety and animal welfare.
• Monitor and observe animals for signs of illness or injury and seek medical care when required or necessary; consult with veterinarian and/or Registered Veterinary Technician regarding health of animals and assist veterinarian during animal examinations.
• Maintain records of special feed instructions for animals needing unique care.
• Maintain inventory and records of food, equipment and shelter supplies.
• Report complaints of potential violations to achieve compliance with pertinent State laws and local ordinances.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, volunteers, veterinarians, other animal groups and the public using principles of good customer service.
• May be required to provide supervision to field operations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

License or Certificate:

• May require the possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California state driver's license.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to completion of the probationary period, a certificate in euthanasia procedures.
• Possession of a current California Registered Veterinarian Technician license is desired.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and methods of animal care and control, including safety management, within an animal shelter operation.
• Federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and codes relating to the care, keeping, treatment and impounding of animals.
• Equipment, tools and materials used in the operation of an animal shelter, including animal care, feeding, handling, kenneling, adoption, euthanasia and disposal of dead animals.
• Causes, symptoms and safe handling of rabid and diseased animals; legal regulations, reports and procedures for handling suspected rabid animals.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Principles of budget monitoring.
• Legal liabilities and responsibilities of those concerned with the enforcement of animal control regulations, laws and care.
• Various breeds of animals and their care and feeding. 

Ability to:

• Organize, implement and direct animal care operations and activities.
• Use chemical restraints, tranquilizers and traps; oversee and perform euthanasia of animals with drugs in a safe and humane manner.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Interpret and explain pertinent County and department policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Resolve confrontations in a sensitive manner; exercise tact and good judgment.
• Ensure that all animals are cared for and handled properly.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work shifts, standby, weekends and holidays when necessary or as assigned.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Maintain accurate records and logs common to animal shelter operation.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of animal control operations; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information, problem solve animal shelter situations; and explain animal control related laws to the public.
• On an continuous basis, sit at desk or in vehicle for long periods of time; walk and stand during animal shelter activities; bend, squat, kneel or twist while working in animal shelter operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and occasionally lift very heavy weight.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.