City of Horn Lake

Purpose of Position_________________________________________________________________________________

Oversee the day-to-day activities of the Animal Services Department and responsible for all animal control operations for the City of Horn Lake.

Major Duties and Responsibilities_______________________________________________________________

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.  

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Animal Services Department such as maintenance of animal holding facility grounds, vehicle, and equipment in accordance with state regulations.

• Review and respond to complaints, paperwork, reports, summons, and warrants assuring completeness and accuracy.
• Responds to citizen complaints.
• Set goals for the department.
• Responsible for daily deposits.
• Responsible for intake and adoption reporting.
• Advance the adoption process.
• Responsible for public relations of the animal shelter with abiding by our social media policy. 
• Holds animal adoption events to alleviate overcrowding and promoting public awareness.
• May oversee and/or perform presentations to schools and civic groups about animal control and otherwise publicizes animal control activities.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantine, and impounding of animals; diseases communicable from pets to humans; livestock management; and euthanasia procedures.
• Interview, train, evaluate and make recommendations regarding staff.
• Develops and administers department budget; approves expenditures.
• Consults with community groups and animal activist groups.
• Works with veterinarians, animal health care product providers, animal shelters, and other humane organizations.
• Community resources.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, and management.
• Animal behavior and health issues.
• Perform the duties of all Animal Services personnel, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as directed

Job Context_________________________________________________________________________________________

The Animal Shelter Director will be actively involved and will exhibit hands-on management in all aspects of the Department.  The person in this position is responsible for overall administrative management and supervision for the Animal Services Department and must work effectively and collaboratively with other governmental agencies, community and civic groups, animal activist groups and the general public.  This position is a full-time, permanent position in the Animal Services Department.  The immediate supervisor for this position is the City Clerk/City Administrator.  This position supervises two (2) or more full-time employees and possible contract and/or volunteers.  The Animal Services Director works regularly scheduled hours year-round, with frequent overtime and night work as necessary.  This position is 50% indoors and 50% outdoors and requires work done in all types of weather conditions.  This position has accountability for monetary, fiscal, budgetary, safety and legal issues related to the work for which this position is responsible.

            There is some exposure to chemicals and/or hazardous materials.  The person in this position must have a high school education, or its equivalent, and five (5) years of equivalent combination of experience and/or training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.  The stress level associated with this position varies with activities.  This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. 

Working Conditions:

Works in office conditions and the animal shelter.

Regular exposure to odors of animals.

Exposure to noise of the impounded animals.

Exposure to disease communicated by animals.

Exposure to the risk of being bitten by animals.

Exposure to animal feces and urine.

Exposure to fumes from cleaning products.                                   

Exposure to parasites (fleas, ticks, mites).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities_     _____________________________________________________________

• Pertinent federal, state, local laws, codes and ordinances related to the care and control of animals.  
• Perform a variety of animal control activities.
• Knowledgeable experience in dealing with stray animals
• Know poisonous reptiles from non-poisonous
• Know how to detect animal diseases
• Knowledge of appropriate animal control methods.
• Knowledge of personnel policies, supervision techniques, and budget development and administration principles.
• OSHA standards and regulations concerning employee safety
• Skill in handling difficult animal cases.
• Plan, organize and supervise.
• Respond to common inquiries and complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Basic methods of animal collection and impoundment.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions
• Prioritize daily work flow
• Meet specified or required deadlines