Director, Animal Services

Job Description

Job Description

Announcement Open Until Filled

Grade 19: Salary Dependent on Qualifications

Dept: Animal Services ---FLSA Status: Exempt

General Definition of Work

Performs complex work planning, managing, directing, coordinating and supervising the animal services staff and facilities, ensuring the safe and humane treatment of all animals within the care of the Coweta County while upholding the highest standard of care, promoting the adoption of animals, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the County Administrator. Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Supervises staff, volunteer/community service personnel, including organizing, selecting or recommending selection, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, disciplining, and terminating or recommending termination; prepares periodic employee performance evaluations.

Develops short and long range plans for the animal services facilities; oversees implementation of plans to ensure adherence to organizational standards, policy and procedures, and to adjust as needed.

Develops and implements departmental strategies and programs aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership, controlling stray animal populations, and increasing the live-release rate of animals (through adoptions, rescues, and reclaims).

Ensures consistent enforcement of all applicable Code of Ordinances related to animal services.

Directs and manages daily facility operations, including the provision of routine and emergency medical care for animals, the performance of euthanasia as needed, maintenance and cleaning of the facility, and the animal adoption process.

Ensures proper protocols are followed for animal handling, housing, and euthanasia in accordance with legal requirements and industry best practices for animal welfare.

Oversees and assists with the provision of customer service to the public; provides information on the animal adoption process and educates staff and the public on humane treatment of animals; interacts with the community to promote positive animal welfare issues and recruit volunteers.

Develops, administers, and monitors budget; develops justifications for budgetary recommendations and/or adjustments; participates in forecasting additional funds for staffing and resources; identifies, obtains, and manages funding from grants and community partners; participates in the interpretation, negotiation, management, and enforcement of contracts; coordination and finalization of budget to ensure timely submission of the department budget.

Develops and implements policies and procedures for the department to ensure efficient and economical departmental operations; evaluates results to ensure compliance and to identify deficiencies.

Maintains and manages a wide variety of records and documentation, including personnel files, reports, logs, and data; respond to public records requests in compliance with legal standards.

Promotes community engagement and education on animal care issues. Works with community advisory boards and advocacy groups to develop outreach programs. Attends outreach events and delivers presentations to neighborhood associations, schools, and civic organizations to increase public awareness of animal care services programs and the importance of responsible pet ownership (such as vaccination and spay/neuter programs).

Works collaboratively with various community groups.

Performs administrative functions, such as preparing routine and special reports for submission to the County Administrator, developing and administering training, or preparing periodic employee performance evaluations.

Conducts staff and other professional meetings to exchange information; attends technical or professional seminars or conferences to improve professional skills.

Analyzes and reviews federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance; conducts analysis on best practices and trends, and formulates and implements recommendations.

Encourages and promotes a culture of excellent service

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive skills in unifying teams and creating consensus, empowering and motivating others, managing stress and conflict, fostering mutual respect and trust, and developing staff. Ability to form relationships and build partnerships with community and advocacy groups. Thorough knowledge in process development and improvement, including technological innovations. Skilled in strategic thinking and anticipating future challenges and trends related to animal welfare; creating innovative solutions to reduce animal shelter populations through program development and partnerships with rescue organizations. Skilled in creating presentations and communicating effectively with community members and advocacy organizations. Comprehensive knowledge of balancing budgets and securing resources such as grants to enhance community services; methods, techniques, and objectives of animal care and control, including handling injured and aggressive animals. Proficient in basic animal medical evaluation and treatment, including vaccinations, wound care, and general health assessments. General knowledge of principles of customer service, employee recruitment, supervision, training, evaluation, discipline, and termination. Ability to implement procedures for the preparation and maintenance of documents, reports, logs, statistics, and records. Ability to coordinate, manage, and correlate data while exercising judgment in determining the time, place, and sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine the need for organizational adjustments, and formulating operational strategies. Ability to promptly respond to inquiries, resolve complaints, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing.

Education and Experience

Bachelor degree in Environmental/Public Health, Animal Sciences, Biological Science, or related field required.

Four (4) years of management level experience in a veterinary office, kennel, shelter or similar environment. Experience working with governmental agencies, community groups, volunteers, and animal welfare organizations preferred.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

Favorable background history as determined by review of local, State and Federal records.

Valid driver’s license in the State of Georgia with a favorable driving history (MVR).

Last Revised: 05/13/2026