Animal Control Manager

City of Live Oak; Texas; On-site; USD 63,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Live Oak seeks an Animal Control Manager to oversee the animal control facility, staff, and volunteers. You will respond to public calls, manage the shelter operations, and ensure compliance with state laws and city ordinances.

You will supervise officers, coordinate licensing and adoptions, and maintain documentation for inspections and reports. This role requires leadership, budget oversight, and community education on animal welfare.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; three years of experience with animals or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers; ability to train and evaluate staff.
• Knowledge of state animal welfare laws and city ordinances; familiarity with budget processes.
• Proven skills in records management and reporting for inspections and licensing.
• Strong customer service and community education abilities; capable of public outreach.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all operations of the Animal Control Facility, staff, and volunteers.
• Manages budgets, prepares requests, and maintains financial sustainability.
• Coordinates licensing, microchipping, adoptions, and owner returns; engages with the public.
• Ensures animal care, vaccination, and shelter sanitation per regulations.
• Supervises officers, conducts trainings, and handles performance reviews.
• Enforces state laws and city ordinances; handles complaints and investigations.
• Maintains equipment, supplies, and vendor relationships; supports monthly meetings with partners.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Public safety

Budget management

Policy development

Communication

Training and supervision

Records management

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

PetPoint

Iworq

Excel

Job description

Animal Control Manager

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Police Chief, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of City staff responsible for providing animal control services. Responds to calls and complaints made by the public in a timely manner, sets traps to capture wild animals, educates the public about animal diseases and issues, and participates in the selection, evaluation, and training of staff.

Job Responsibilities

Manages all operations of the Animal Control Facility, Staff, and volunteers; oversees the proper enforcement of state laws and regulations and city ordinances; develops clear, concise, and comprehensive policies that align with department standards, legal requirements, and departmental objectives; and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, and work standards.

• Prepares, monitors, and manages the Animal Control budget to ensure financial stability and sustainability; researches and submits budget requests.
• Prepares facility for yearly state inspections to ensure status as a state approved Quarantine facility and maintains current DEA Registration to provide schedule 2 and 3 drugs for the humane euthanasia of animals.
  Greets and assists all shelter visitors, by phone and in person, with complaints/concerns, licensing, microchipping, adoptions, and return to owners.
• Maintains the animal shelter by overseeing the care, feeding, and cleaning of animals; transports animals to and from approved veterinary clinics; provides nursing care or emergency first aid to injured or sick animals; administers vaccines, de-wormers, oral flea preventatives, and medications and treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian; implants and registers animal microchips; and cleans, disinfects, and maintains the animal shelter, cages, kennels, dishes, and laundry in accordance with State regulations.
• Prepares and maintains animal control records per state mandated retention schedule to include Bite cases, euthanasia logs, written warnings, citations, and microchip registrations; manages all animal database programs including Petpoint, Iworq, Excel, website, and social media to ensure data integrity including pictures, breed, gender, size, age, temperament, and health; develops and prepares reports to include impounds, dispositions, and licenses for review by City Management; and prepares all Material Safety Data Sheets on chemicals housed in the facility.
• Oversees the Animal Control Officers by assigning and directing work duties and prioritizing workloads; completes reports for accidents and injuries; facilitates training; monitors performance; prepares and administers yearly performance evaluations; maintains current continuing education and certificates for staff; maintains compliance with various regulations; and reviews paperwork.
• Educates and enforces State laws and City ordinances by explaining ordinances related to the care and keeping of animals; issues citations, warnings, licenses, and tags; educates the public on the purposes of ordinances and safety around animals;
• Maintains supplies and equipment; prepares purchase orders; orders supplies as needed; purchases and replaces equipment;; monitors budget to ensure purchases remain within projected amounts.
• Works with animal rescue organizations and the City of Live Oak Humane Society; attends monthly meetings to discuss Animal Control, shelter management, and all animals housed in the facility.
• Responds to and investigates all animal complaints/concerns regarding ordinance violations, cruelty/neglect, welfare, and bite cases for all wild and domestic animals; and sets, baits, and checks traps when needed.
• Apprehends, controls, and confines loose, stray, injured, abandoned, aggressive, and dangerous animals; humanely provides euthanasia services on critially ill, injured, and dangerous animal and by request from pet owners for their sick/dying or aggressive animals; and removes deceased animals from private and public properties.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Job Requirements

Knowledge of –

• State Laws Title 10 – Health and Safety of Animals, Chapter 821-829.009, Health and Safety Chapter 826 – Rabies, and Live Oak City Ordinances Chapter 4.
• Municipal budget, finance, and procurement practices and procedures.
• Customer service principles, practice, and etiquette.
• Work safety policies, procedures, and practices.
• Conflict resolution techniques and methods.
• Basic species and breeds of domestic and local wild animals.
• Symptoms and behaviors associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals.
• Methods and equipment used in the care and handling of common domestic and wild animals.
• Proper administration and location of vaccines and medications.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and safety regulations.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records.
• General office policies and procedures; computers and general office equipment.

Skill in –

• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Handling and properly caring for animals.
• Providing effective supervision and direction to assigned staff.
• Recognizing aggressive and abnormal behaviors in animals.
• Interacting tactfully and professionally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public.
• Organizing work and setting priorities to meet deadlines.
• Typing and entering data with speed and accuracy.
• Preparing accurate reports and statements.
• Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships.
• Operating a computer and related software.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED equivalent and three (3) years of experience handling and caring for animals; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment

A valid State driver’s license is required.

Must possess a Texas Department of Health Services Animal Control Officer certification or obtain certification within one (1) month of hire.

Must be a certified Euthanasia Technician or obtain certification within one (1) month of hire.

DEA registration or ability to complete within one (1) month of hire.

Work is performed throughout the City and at animal shelter facilities and requires exposure to extreme weather conditions, potential physical harm and infectious diseases from contact with animals, and hazardous chemicals. Operates a variety of animal control equipment, such as City trucks and vehicles, catchpoles, cat and snake tongs, and animal traps.

Starting Salary

$62,829 - $67,659 (DOQ) annually. Step increase after successful six-month probation. Annual step increases.

Benefits

The City offers a flexible work schedule. Education Assistance, Annual Step Increases, Certification Pay up to $150 per month, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, (12) Holidays, (1) Floating Holiday and Longevity Day, Health, Dental (DHMO Plan) and Basic Life, LTD & AD&D paid at 100% for employee along with 45% dependent coverage. Voluntary plans: Vision, Additional Life/AD&D, STD, and FSA. Retirement Plan - Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS); the City matches two to one (2:1) . An employee becomes vested with the City at five years unless eligible for prior year service credit.

Closing Date

Open until filled