Assistant Director - Animal Services

Position Description Performs specialized work and assists the Director in supervising the activities of the Animal Services Department. An employee in this class coordinates the implementation and execution of animal control activities, ensures the humane handling and care of shelter animals. Acts as a lead-worker to personnel engaged in the County’s animal control functions and in maintaining the County’s animal shelter. Assists in the supervision of staff. Provides assistance to the Director in implementing various programs. Assists in maintaining records of animals and their intake and disposition. Employee is subject to the common risks of animal control enforcement and the sheltering of animals. Work is performed in accordance with County and State laws and requires independent judgment and initiative in application of the laws. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Animal Services Director and evaluated through observation and discussions concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of performed duties.

This employee will serve as back-up for after-hours on-call, as needed, in case of emergency.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates activities at the shelter and in the field with the agency and personnel regarding citizen complaints and animal disposition.
• Supervises animal control enforcement, including assigning enforcement officers to work areas, managing case assignment, and assisting in preparation for court.
• Supports and provides technical expertise and assistance to staff dealing with the most difficult and unusual issues.
• Inputs and maintains computer records, required documents, reports, forms, and the like.
• Evaluates data and reports pertaining to calls for service, citations, and recommends appropriate action.
• Performs and/or supervises the euthanasia of animals.
• Ensures welfare and proper care of animals within the shelter facility is maintained in all phases of shelter operations.
• Participates in collection of adoption, citation, reclaim, or fees.
• Educates the public on importance of spay/neuter, animal welfare, County and State laws regarding animals.
• Assists in response to calls received via County 911 Communications Center involving animal related incidents.
• Performs routine maintenance and ground keeping duties on animal shelter facility.
• Monitors the sanitation of animal transport carriers and vehicles used by Animal Services Officers to minimize the spread of disease.
• Coordinate emergency/disaster response as related to animals.
• Performs duties of an Animal Control Officer or Animal Care Technician as needed or required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of Microsoft computer based software.
• Working knowledge of breeds and temperaments of animals as well as the ability to learn about and understand wild and domesticated animals.
• Ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and animals who may exhibit medical and/or other problems, as well as aggressive tendencies.
• Working knowledge of laws and ordinances related to animal control and welfare.
• Adequate knowledge of safety practices concerning the handling of animals.
• Ability to use the equipment and physical means necessary for the purpose of capturing and caring for animals.
• Ability to maintain accurate files, records concerning intakes, various outcomes, medical records, daily activities, calls, and investigations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines and complete assignments within specified time frames and use time and resources effectively to meet goals and complete assignment quickly and efficiently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to effectively supervise, train and evaluate staff to maintain and operate at the highest level of quality and standards for animal shelter and animal control operations.
• Ability to remain pleasant and calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Exercises good judgment and initiative; and works with minimal supervision and direction.
• Ability to exhibit patience and care when dealing with animals; tolerate animal noise and odor.

Required Minimum Education / Experience

• Graduation from high school.
• Possess a valid NC driver’s license.
• Certification as a Rabies Vaccinator and a Euthanasia Technician or ability to obtain certification within six months of the date of employment.
• Must reside within 20 minutes of Alexander County.

Preferred Experience:

• One year of experience related to animal control enforcement or an equivalent.
• Supervisory experience.

Benefits

Alexander County is a rewarding and supportive workplace, where employees are valued and encouraged to grow.

We offer a full compensation package including quality benefits that include flexible options designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families.

HEALTH CARE

Medical Insurance – Employee medical insurance is 100% paid provided wellness incentive requirements are met. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:

Child: $75.00 Children: $225.00 Spouse: $250.00 Family: $425.00

Dental Insurance – Employee dental insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:

Child(ren): $19.28 Spouse: $21.47 Family: $59.52

Vision Insurance – Employee vision insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:

Child(ren): $4.19 Spouse: $3.77 Family: $8.12

WELLNESS

Health Clinic – Available to all County employees and dependents covered under the medical insurance plan. Covered visits include ear infections, colds, first aid, physicals, and other acute care needs.

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) – The medical plan offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and others. Specific requirements must be met for partial reimbursement - refer to the employee benefit guide for more information.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Counseling services are available to all employees and dependents in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting. The County provides coverage for the first five visits per year.

YMCA – No joining or monthly membership fees for eligible employees. Employees may opt to upgrade their membership to a family rate of $7.50 per pay period.

Genesis Fitness – Discounted member fees for eligible employees - refer to the employee benefit guide for more information.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Holidays – Twelve days of paid leave are provided throughout the year to eligible employees. Sick Leave – Employees earn eight hours per month; EMS employees earn 11 hours per month. Annual Leave – Employees earn prorated hours per month based upon years of service and hours worked.

Birth Month Leave – Employees will receive the equivalent hours of one regular workday added to their annual leave on the second day of their birth month. Community Involvement Leave – Employees earn eight hours per calendar year, expiring on December 31. Bereavement Leave – Employees are given 24 hours of paid leave to grieve the loss of an immediate family member. Parental Leave – Eligible employees can request up to 6 weeks of paid leave per calendar year. Discount Tickets – Discount tickets to various recreational venues including AMC Theaters, Carowinds, Tweetsie Railroad, Biltmore Estate, and others.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

NC Local Government Retirement System – The Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS) is a defined benefit plan. Full-time and eligible part-time employees are automatically enrolled in the system. Employees contribute a mandatory, fixed 6% on a pre-tax basis. An employee is considered vested after five years of contributory service.

Life Insurance – $12,500 of Life and AD&D at no cost to the employee. Additional coverage is available at employee expense.

Longevity – After five (5) years of continuous full-time County service, employees receive an annual lump sum payment of 1.5% of their salary during their anniversary month. Moving forward, the amount increases by .10 per year based upon years of service. 401k and 457 Deferred Compensation – The County will match full-time and eligible part-time employee's voluntary 401(k) contribution, up to 2% of their salary. Sworn Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) receive an additional automatic 5% County contribution. Tuition Reimbursement – Employees who have completed their initial probationary period are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program of up to $1,000 per semester in qualified expenses. Supplemental Benefits – The County partners with Aflac, as an employee option, for additional supplemental benefits. Local Government Federal Credit Union (CIVIC) – Memberships are available to County employees.

For additional details on benefits, please review the Alexander County policies at www.alexandercountync.gov or contact the Human Resources Department at (828) 632-1132.