Animal Protection Supervisor, Austin Animal Services

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• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
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• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Animal Protection Supervisor

Purpose:

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.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Ensures vehicles, equipment, and materials are maintained and repaired in a timely manner.
  
• Assists with planning, developing, organizing, evaluating, and monitoring the unit’s budget.
  
• Plans, develops, organizes, evaluates, and monitors programs, projects, and activities and ensures that City of Austin and Travis County performance measures are being met.
  
• Creates serious bodily injury reports, evaluates case data and activity, identifies issues, and develops action plan.
  
• Oversees potential rabies exposure investigations as well as proper care investigations.
  
• Provides support, training, guidance, expertise, coaching, and discipline. Conducts annual performance reviews. Tracks continuing education hours of field staff to ensure certifications are maintained.
  
• Coordinates unit activities with other divisions by evaluating operational needs and assignment of work activities.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• Participates in disaster response planning, attends related emergency response training, and organizes staff during emergency response situations.
  
• Orders supplies, maintains inventory, makes purchases, monitors contracts, and recommends capital expenditures.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• 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.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• 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.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in animal control, animal protection, code enforcement, or a related field.
  
• Completion of the State of Texas Animal Control Training course.
  
• Prior supervisory or lead experience overseeing field staff and/or dispatch personnel.
  
• Experience conducting dangerous or vicious animal investigations and managing complex enforcement cases.
  
• Experience preparing reports, testifying in court, and coordinating with law enforcement and public health agencies.
  
• Demonstrated experience in public outreach, community education, and building collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and partner agencies.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Who Are We?

Austin Animal Service‘s mission is to enhance the lives of pets and people by preventing animal homelessness, to help lost pets find their way home or find new homes, to provide education and resources to preserve the human-animal bond, and to administer animal-related ordinances to ensure public and animal safety, all while achieving a 95% live outcome rate for sheltered pets.

We offer outstanding benefits including several health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click City of Austin Benefits for more information.

Regarding Your Application: Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. A cover letter and résumé are required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.

Pay Rate: $27.77 - $35.65

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm

PLEASE NOTE: Austin Animal Services is not a 100% remote operation.
This position is considered “essential;” employees may be required to report to work when the City of Austin offices are otherwise closed (bad weather, etc.).

Work Location: Austin Animal Services, 7201 Levander Loop, Bldg. A, Austin, TX 78702

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Class “C” Texas Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. The job offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

If you are selected to interview: Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference.

If you are selected for hire: You must provide proof of education which may include your official college transcript, High School diploma, GED or equivalent degree and your professional licenses. A Criminal Background check (CBI) will be conducted.

Additional Information: Austin Public Health/Austin Animal Services worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any APH/ASO worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other sections within the Division. Decisions on assigned section will be made at the time of hire based on business needs.

Please Note this posting may close any time after 7 days.

Essential Employee:
This position has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-03-31

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• City of Austin

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