City and County of San Francisco

Under the general direction of the Deputy Director of Animal Care and Control, serves as part of the management team with primary responsibility for planning, directing and overseeing the kennel operation of the Animal Shelter; ensuring the humane handling and care of shelter animals, and safe, sanitary and secure facilities for shelter animals and the public.

This classification is distinguished from Assistant Animal Care Supervisor in that the incumbent has overall responsibility for the kennel operations of the Animal Shelter and the full range of supervisory functions over Animal Care Division staff.

Supervises assigned staff and volunteers.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Plans, directs and oversees the operation of the Animal Care Division: ensures the safe and humane handling, kenneling and identification of all animals; ensures provision of food, water and proper care for all shelter animals; ensures that all kennels, wards, cages, equipment, runs and other areas of the facility are cleaned and disinfected in order to maintain a healthy, clean, safe and sanitary facility for shelter animals and the public.

2. Assesses productivity, sets goals and establishes work-related priorities for Animal Care Division; identifies and implements solutions to problems which develop in kennel facilities; assists in the development of policies and procedures for the Division; coordinates work with other divisions.

3. Schedules, assigns, and oversees the work of assigned staff and volunteers; trains, evaluates, counsels and disciplines staff; promotes a humane and caring attitude toward animals; completes and presents performance appraisals; facilitates bi-weekly Animal Care Division meetings; monitors staff interaction with volunteer programs.

4. Establishes and maintains contacts with other City departments, SPCA and other outside groups and agencies in relation to the functions of the Animal Care Division; oversees the transport of selected animals to wildlife rehabilitation and occasionally for breed rescue and foster families.

5. Assists Shelter Veterinarian in developing and implementing a comprehensive disease prevention program; oversees basic health screening of all animals, including those that are isolated or quarantined, for signs of illness or unusual behavior; takes appropriate action and reports significant problems to Veterinary Medical services staff; monitors Animal Care staff performing treatment procedures, vaccination, and FIV/Felv testing of shelter animals.

6. Evaluates animals, performs behavioral assessments, and participates in selection of animals for availability, rescue, adoption, transfer or euthanasia in accordance with established laws, departmental policy and procedures; schedules and performs euthanasia of selected shelter animals; schedules spay/neuter surgeries.

7. Ensures availability of animal care supplies, food, office supplies and equipment, including ordering supplies, food and equipment, and maintaining contacts with outside vendors.

8. Ensures maintenance of accurate and legible case files and records for each animal in the shelter; uses a computer to input, update and access information regarding shelter animals and to produce written documents.

9. Provides information and assists members of the public who are relinquishing animals or in search of lost or adoptable pets; discusses and educates public on adoptions of domestic animals; interprets and explains laws, procedures and policies for subordinate staff and the public; answers questions and resolves problems as they arise.

10. Participates in management functions, including weekly management team meetings, special events and representing the department in the media if necessary.

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of supervising, training and evaluating staff; methods for safe, effective and humane handling and restraint of a variety of animals, including animals which may be ill, injured, quarantined, aggressive or difficult to control and wild animals such as snakes, skunks, pigeons and raccoons; physical and behavioral characteristics of different species and breeds of animals; occupational hazards and safety precautions for working with impounded animals; safe and effective methods and procedures for industrial cleaning and sanitation of kennels and other areas; techniques of administering vaccinations and euthanasia by injection; first aid techniques and symptoms of diseases common to domestic animals and wildlife.

Ability to: Plan, direct, schedule and oversee the operation of the Animal Care Division; assess productivity and set goals; coordinate work with other divisions; supervise, evaluate, train, counsel and discipline assigned personnel in the safe and humane care of impounded animals and cleaning of kennel facilities; effectively prioritize multiple tasks for self and others; work effectively under pressure, react quickly in emergency situations; learn laws and regulations governing the licensing, quarantining, impounding, care and disposal of animals; analyze information in order to identify and implement solutions to problems which develop in kennel facilities and assist in the development of policies and procedures to address these issues; deal courteously and effectively with staff, representatives of other departments and agencies, vendors, and members of the general public from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, including individuals who may be angry, hostile or distraught and/or in violation of the law; establish and maintain effective, cooperative and professional working relationships; speak clearly and effectively in order to give instructions and communicate work-related information to individuals and groups in a manner that is appropriate to the audience; listen and effectively elicit information; prepare clear and effective written instructions, memos, correspondence and reports; use a computer to access, input and retrieve work-related information and to prepare written documents.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Experience: Two (2) years of hands-on experience as an animal care attendant or kennel attendant in an animal shelter, including one year training and supervising the work of staff.

License and Certification:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License

Successful completion of state-mandated euthanasia training and certification within one (1) year of hire.

Substitution:
Three (3) years of hands-on experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and houses animals (e.g. veterinary hospital, boarding or pet day care facility, or pet store), working principally with dogs and cats, including two (2) years training and supervising the work of staff may substitute for the required experience.
Thirty (30) semester/forty-five (45) quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required non-supervisory experience.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.