Animal Services Manager

City of San Marcos, Texas; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Marcos, Texas, is seeking an Animal Services Manager to lead a dynamic team in providing humane animal care and enforcing regulations. You will guide data-driven decisions to sustain a high live-outcome rate while representing the City in collaborations with volunteers, rescues, and community partners.

This leadership role requires strategic planning, policy development, and strong fiscal management to support a safe, transparent shelter operation and engaged public relations with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years in a complex environment with negotiation; 3 years supervisory in government animal-services.
• Valid Texas driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff, volunteers, contractors, and partner agencies to maintain high performance.
• Analyze data to guide decisions and improve live-outcome rates.
• Present reports to City leadership and regional partners.
• Ensure compliance with animal-care laws and shelter operations.
• Coordinate public relations, outreach, fundraising, and partnerships.
• Manage division budget and procurement; oversee grants and donations.

Skills

Leadership

Public administration

Budgeting

Data analysis

Regulatory compliance

Staff supervision

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in animal science, public administration, business administration, or closely related field

Job description

Turn compassion into impact—help guide our Animal Shelter as San Marcos’ next Animal Services Manager!

The Animal Services Manager provides strategic leadership and unified direction for the City’s Animal Services Division. This role is essential to maintaining humane animal care, protecting public health, enforcing state and local regulations, supporting high live-outcome operations, and fostering collaboration with regional partners, volunteers, rescues, fosters, and community advocates. The position serves as the City’s primary representative for animal-related issues, ensuring best-practice operations, progressive program development, and strong community engagement.

The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and department.

• Lead staff, volunteers, contractors, and partner agencies in a fast-paced, high-energy environment by setting expectations, ensuring accountability, and effectively anticipating and managing conflict through professional mediation.
• Analyze operational and animal-care data to guide decision-making and implement strategies that maintain a live-outcome rate of 90% or higher.
• Present operational reports, data, and recommendations to City leadership, City Council, and regional partners.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing animal care, shelter operations, controlled substances, and record-keeping.
• Serve as the City’s Local Rabies Control Authority and enforce the Texas Rabies Control Act.
• Develop, update, and implement policies and procedures that prioritize safety for animals, staff, and the public.
• Select, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel in accordance with City policies and operational needs.
• Coordinate public relations efforts with the Communications Department; lead community outreach, educational programming, fundraising efforts, and partnership development.
• Serve as liaison to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and maintain strong relationships with volunteers, rescue groups, fosters, and animal welfare partners.
• Manage the division’s operating budget; approve expenditures, identify cost-control opportunities, and oversee procurement of goods and services.
• Track and report key operational statistics, anticipate resource needs, oversee grants and donations, and perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in a complex work environment requiring negotiation and resolution of sensitive or controversial issues, including three (3) years of supervisory experience in a government animal-services organization. Additional experience may substitute for education at a rate of two years of relevant experience for one year of education.
• Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing and implementing progressive programs that increase live outcomes in animal services or animal welfare organizations.
• Experience managing multi-jurisdictional/regional animal shelter operations and Animal Control field staff.
• Experience handling search and seizure warrants, cruelty cases, and dangerous dog cases.
• Experience collaborating with animal advocacy groups, foundations, and nonprofit organizations.
• State of Texas Certified Euthanasia Technician.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of animal welfare laws, regulations, shelter operations, humane handling, and rabies control requirements.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to coach, train, motivate, and manage staff effectively.
• Skill in resolving conflict professionally and maintaining composure in high-stress or emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and develop policies that enhance safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Skill in analyzing operational data, preparing reports, and using findings to improve programs and animal outcomes.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage the public, respond to concerns, and represent the division professionally.
• Ability to build productive relationships with volunteers, rescues, regional partners, and community organizations.
• Proficiency in budgeting, forecasting, grant oversight, and resource management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and solve complex problems effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires lifting up to 35 pounds rarely, with assistance when needed. Frequent requirements include vision, hearing, and talking. Occasional activities include standing, walking, sitting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, climbing, balancing, and use of foot controls. Kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, and twisting may occur infrequently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor settings and may involve exposure to extreme weather, dangerous animals, zoonotic diseases, hazardous chemicals, and interactions with distressed or irate members of the public. The role may involve potential rabies exposure; pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be required at the City’s expense. This is a safety-sensitive position.