Austin, TX (Pop. 950,700) The City of Austin is seeking a progressive, visionary, and seasoned public service professional with a passion for animal care to lead its Animal Services programs and initiatives and to continue and expand on the City’s nationally recognized successful efforts to reduce animal intake and increase live outcomes. Austin has been a leader in the live outcomes/no kill movement and seeks dedicated leaders who will continue and expand the City’s progressive and collaborative approach to animal welfare.

This vibrant and dynamic city tops many lists for business, entertainment, and quality of life. One of the country’s most popular, high-profile “green” and culturally rich cities, Austin was recently selected the number one Best Place to Live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report). In 2016, Forbes named Austin the city most likely to prosper over the next decade on their America’s Cities of the Future list, and the city of Austin ranked in the top ten on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for 2017. The Chief Animal Services Officer reports to an Assistant City Manager and is responsible for the day to day operations of all programs and initiatives of the Animal Services Office.  Please note the following about this exciting opportunity:

• The Austin Animal Services Office provides sheltering, enforcement and prevention services for Austin and the unincorporated areas of Travis County.  The Office works closely with Austin Pets Alive!, the Austin Humane Society and more than 150 rescue groups to remain the largest no kill community in the nation.  Since 2011, the Animal Services Office has saved more than 95% of the 17,000 pets who come through their doors each year.
• The Animal Services Office has 111 employees and an annual budget of $13.9M.  Employees includes four full time veterinarians and 15 veterinary technicians who complete spay neuter surgeries and microchip more than 5,000 animals per year.  They also treat thousands of medical conditions and critical cases.
• There is an 8 person enrichment and behavior team that walks dogs, runs doggies play groups and provides daily, in-kennel enrichment activities for cats and dogs.  There is also a 25 member Outreach Team that conducts free rabies vaccine clinics in the community, vaccinating and microchipping more than 1,000 pets in a year.  Outreach team members connect residents with resources available through Emancipet and the Austin Humane Society for approximately 11,000 owned pets and community cats to receive sterilization surgeries.  This team also responds to approximately 30,000 calls per year, rescuing injured wildlife, enforcing animal laws and ordinances and providing support and resources for pets and people in need in Austin and Travis County. 

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in public health, business administration, public policy or related field plus five years of increasingly responsible management experience is required.  A master’s degree can substitute for two years’ management experience. Candidates with experience in a leadership position with an animal welfare organization or animal shelter or in a position with transferrable skills in a non- animal shelter position are highly desired.  Strong administrative skills including grant and contract management, budget development and administration, human resource management and the ability to navigate large organization systems are essential. The annual salary range for the Chief Animal Services Officer is $140,000 - $150,000 +/- DOQ. Placement within the approved salary range will be dependent upon career experience and qualifications. This position is considered open until filled with the first review of resumes to begin May 1, 2019.  To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by May 17, 2019. To apply, candidates must submit a comprehensive resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references online to www.govhrjobs.com . Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.  Candidates may contact the recruiter, Heidi Voorhees, President of GovHRUSA at HVoorhees@govhrusa.com. Tel: 847-380-3240

This recruitment incorporates existing rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitments in the State of Texas. In accordance with public disclosure/open record laws, information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public upon request by interested parties.

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