City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Animal Protection Supervisor

Under general direction, this position oversees the daily operations and activities of the assigned work unit by supervising the personnel responsible for rabies control, dangerous or vicious animal investigations, animal impoundment, and education and prevention services.  

1. Ensures vehicles, equipment, and materials are maintained and repaired in a timely manner.
2. Assists with planning, developing, organizing, evaluating, and monitoring the unit’s budget.
3. Plans, develops, organizes, evaluates, and monitors programs, projects, and activities and ensures that City of Austin and Travis County performance measures are being met.
4. Creates serious bodily injury reports, evaluates case data and activity, identifies issues, and develops action plan.
5. Oversees potential rabies exposure investigations as well as proper care investigations.
6. Provides support, training, guidance, expertise, coaching, and discipline. Conducts annual performance reviews. Tracks continuing education hours of field staff to ensure certifications are maintained.
7. Coordinates unit activities with other divisions by evaluating operational needs and assignment of work activities.
8. Develops, revises, and implements standard operating practices, policies, and procedures for the unit. Determines goals, objectives, and resources requirements for activities within the unit. Prepares performance measures, data, and reports for management review.
9. Assists in various aspects of community outreach, coordinating and providing animal-related training to a range of government agencies, private sector businesses, and the public.
10. Participates in disaster response planning, attends related emergency response training, and organizes staff during emergency response situations.
11. Orders supplies, maintains inventory, makes purchases, monitors contracts, and recommends capital expenditures.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles including the evaluation of others and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of City of Austin and Travis County streets, roads, etc.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and ordinances concerning animal-related services, issues, and complaints.
• Skill in safely handling wild, domestic, and livestock animals including those with unknown temperament.
• Skill in using tools used to restrain and harness animals.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other employees and the public and making effective use of community resources.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to respond to inquiries and prepare and present information.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership, management, and human relations skills to facilitate significant cultural and organizational change.
• Ability to guide, train, monitor, evaluate, and provide feedback on the work of others.
• Ability to effectively manage projects and delegate responsibilities.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field, plus three (3) years of relevant experience, including one (1) year of experience which was in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

• Valid Class C Texas Driver license.
• Certifications relevant to the job must be obtained within the given timelines. The City will pay for any certifications obtained while employed with the City of Austin.
  
  • Notary Public must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.
  • Current certification with the State of Texas as an Animal Control Officer or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.