Animal Control Manager

General Description

The purpose of this job is to provide daily operational oversight of Animal Control field and shelter activities, ensuring workflow efficiency, proper documentation, safe animal handling, and consistent service delivery. This position will also provide intermediate administrative and technical supervisory work overseeing daily operations of Animal Control Officers and shelter staff, coordinating field enforcement and shelter activities, ensuring compliance with state and county laws, and assisting the Chief Animal Control Officer with departmental management.

This position works under general supervision, independently organizes, schedules, and directs field and shelter operations consistent with departmental policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Coordinates, assigns, and reviews daily work of Animal Control Officers and shelter staff.
• Provides direction, technical guidance, and on scene support during complex calls, investigations, animal bites, and cruelty cases, which aligns with Animal Control Officer field duties.
• Assists in evaluating staff performance, managing staffing concerns, counseling employees, and ensuring compliance with polices.
• Oversees enforcement of animal control laws and ordinances, ensuring consistent practices across all officers.
• Monitors responses to animal complaints, investigations, bite reports, quarantine cases, and humane law enforcement.
• Supports officers with court preparation and testimony.
• Ensures compliance with sanitation standards, kennel operations, and animal housing procedures.
• Oversees intake procedures, owner releases, adoptions, and record-keeping.
• Coordinates euthanasia procedures and medication logs per applicable state regulations.
• Assists Chief Animal Control Officer with implementation and updating of standard operating procedures and training requirements.
• Assists with inventory control, procurement of equipment, and maintenance of vehicles and facility assets.
• Helps ensure the department adheres to state mandates, shelter regulations, and Drug Enforcement Agency/Board of Pharmacy requirements for controlled substances.
• Assists in coordinating disaster response related to animals, sheltering, and evacuation operations.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent. Associate’s or Bachelor’s in a related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in animal control, shelter operations, law enforcement, or related field, with (2) years in a supervisory role.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Must possess and maintain a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and an acceptable driving history.
• Certification as Basic Animal Control Officer.
• Certification as a Special Conservator of the Peace.
• Qualification and certification with all required firearms within 60 days of issuance.
• Possession of or ability to obtain euthanasia certification within one year of employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain drug administration certification from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Board of Pharmacy.
• Possession of euthanasia certification.
• ICS-100 and ICS-700.

Physical Demands

Very Heavy Work – Involves lifting objects weighting more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more.

Work Environment (Unavoidable Hazards)

Involves routine and frequent exposure to toxic/caustic chemicals; animals/wildlife.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Dinwiddie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Dinwiddie County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Job Details