Animal Control Director 08052026

Please be aware that the application posting dates are August 5 – September 4, 2026.

Applications will be evaluated for interview opportunities the week of September 7, 2026.

Thanks for your patience throughout the process.

Salary = $72,987 - $83,844 per year, depending on qualifications

 

WILSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:	ANIMAL CONTROL DIRECTOR
FLSA STATUS:	EXEMPT

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to perform managerial and administrative work associated with overseeing provision of effective and efficient animal control. Duties and responsibilities include directing department operations and activities, supervising employees, enforcing animal control ordinances and regulations, establishing department policies and procedures, preparing and administering department budget, overseeing calls/complaints involving animals, overseeing the capturing and handling of animals, preparing documentation, maintaining records, and providing information and assistance. Reports to County Mayor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Plans, organizes, and directs department operations and activities to ensure provision of effective/efficient animal control, enforcement of applicable laws, protection of citizens, and professional/courteous response to questions, complaints, or requests from the public.

Establishes animal shelter resources, policies, procedures, and standards, in conjunction with Animal Control Committee, County Mayor, and other county agencies.

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; processes employee concerns and problems; counsels and disciplines; interviews, selects, and hires new employees.

Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; develops work schedules to ensure 24-hour response to calls; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; assigns training or trains staff as needed.

Develops and implements departmental budget; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; prepares summarization of monthly operations; reviews monthly operations with Animal Control Committee, and county management.

Develops and implements office/departmental policies, procedures, and standards, with emphasis on safety issues.

Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, shelter policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees, county citizens, and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Enforces the provisions of all applicable animal control ordinances, codes, laws, and regulations with the public; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; issues warning notices or citations as appropriate.

Consults with County Mayor, Animal Control Committee, Public Works, and other officials to review, discuss, and relay department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations.

Communicates with county officials, employees, other departments, law enforcement personnel, other animal control agencies, veterinarians, the public, humane societies, community organizations, the media, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.

Coordinates department activities with those of other departments, outside agencies, or others as needed.

Oversees investigations of animal bites or potential animal abuse; ensures preparation of bite notification forms, bite reports, court case files, and other documentation.

Oversees and participates in response to incoming calls concerning various animal issues, such as animal bites, potential animal cruelty/abuse, animals in distress, stray/nuisance animals, sick/injured animals, animal behavior problems, or animal control laws; provides information and assistance to the public.

Oversees patrolling of county roads to locate and pick up stray animals; oversees activities of staff engaged in assisting animals in problem situations, trapping/capturing domestic, aggressive or injured animals, setting/monitoring animal traps, and transporting animals.

Oversees the shipment of specimens to laboratories for testing; reviews laboratory reports and relays this information as needed to the appropriate parties.

Oversees receipt, recording, depositing, and accounting for all department revenues.

Handles, lifts, and carries animals as needed, restraining as appropriate; handles frightened, fractious, and injured animals; checks animals for current license tags and for signs of rabies, disease, or other illnesses; checks animals into animal shelter; administers shots, vaccinations, and medications; performs euthanasia of animals as needed.

Supervises and participates in operation of various machinery, equipment, and tools associated with animal control activities, which may include an animal control truck, animal restraint equipment, capture equipment, tranquilizing equipment, mechanical tools, and radio communications equipment.

Supervises general/preventive maintenance work necessary to keep animal control vehicles, equipment and tools in clean and operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, refueling vehicles, washing/cleaning truck/equipment, or cleaning work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.

Monitors inventory of department equipment, medical supplies, vaccinations, controlled substances, and tools; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; ensures records meet state/federal requirements; initiates orders for new/replacement items.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, citations, purchase orders, bank deposits, performance evaluations, budget documents, policies, procedures, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, animal complaints, laboratory reports, budget reports, policies, procedures, laws, codes, ordinances, maps, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Promotes awareness of animal control activities; provides information and education to the public concerning animal control issues, county ordinances, humane treatment of animals, animal behavior problems, or related issues; makes speeches or presentations to schools, civic groups, and community organizations as needed.

Attends various meetings as needed.

Maintains a current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, codes, and ordinances; monitors proposed changes in legislation with potential impact on department operations; maintains an awareness of new procedures, trends, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Expected to perform their assigned duties in a timely manner, which inspires confidence from the public, other employees and the County; conducting yourself in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

Strong public relations skills, working to educate the public on laws and ordinances pertaining to animals. Set a professional example when faced with confrontation, always be fair and firm when necessary, offering suggestions and solutions.

Maintain all vehicles and equipment; ensure they are clean and properly sanitized. Preventive maintenance on all vehicles and equipment should be completed in a timely manner in accordance with manufactures guidelines. Any mechanical problems should be reported immediately.

All equipment used in the field by officers will be kept in proper working condition at all times. Any equipment that is damaged or not working is to be reported immediately.

Maintain up to date knowledge of Animal Control guidelines for impoundment of all types of animals such as but not limited to stray animals, animals with owners, animals that bite, suspected rabid animals, suspected fighting animals and suspected animal cruelty cases.

Serve as the primary responder and investigator in the event of animal bite complaints, obtaining as much information as possible to accurately complete an animal bite report.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Provides backup assistance to department staff as needed.

Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High School Diploma or GED; Preferred Associate’s degree with course work emphasis in business administration, supervision, animal control, and animal handling; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes progressively responsible animal control agency operations, animal handling and sheltering, animal control including laws, policies, and procedures, public relations, budget administration, resource management, and supervision; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Tennessee driver’s license. Must possess and maintain valid Euthanasia Certification. Must also possess time management skills, including the capability to work productively in fast-paced environment, keep focus on several tasks at once, and be prepared for interruptions when needed to attend to more crucial matters. Must be able to effectively communicate knowledge and information to a non-technical audience. Must possess basic computer skills, including but not limited to word processing, email, and Internet.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization : Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction : Requires the ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit. Includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization : Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude : Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning : Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning : Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

ADA COMPLIANCE/PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANAYLSIS

Physical Ability : Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).

Sensory Requirements : Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors : Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, traffic hazards, bright/dim light, toxic agents, violence, disease, pathogenic substances, animal/wildlife attacks, or animal bites.

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Wilson County, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.