ANIMAL SERVICES SUPERVISOR

Town of Cary; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Cary, through the Cary Police Department, seeks a dedicated Animal Services Supervisor to lead the Animal Services team and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of people and animals in our community.

The role involves handling animal control operations, budget preparation, staff evaluations, and outreach activities. Candidates should have strong leadership, knowledge of animal laws, and proven record-keeping abilities.

Qualifications

• General knowledge of laws, ordinances and regulations governing animal control.
• Ability to lead and supervise other employees.

Responsibilities

• Dispatched for response and investigates animal complaints.
• Attends community meetings and coordinates events.
• Reviews animal reports and assigns cases; conducts follow-up investigations.
• Completes payroll for the team; prepares budget requests for Animal Control.
• Gives school presentations on animal care and control; makes court appearances.

Skills

Leadership

Supervising staff

Record keeping

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Protecting our community. Caring for animals. Leading with purpose. The Cary Police Department is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Animal Services Supervisor to lead our Animal Services team and help ensure the health, safety, and well‑being of both people and animals throughout our community.

Key Responsibilities

• Dispatched for response and receives, investigates, and answers complaints concerning stray, wild, or owned animals;
• Maintains and prepares statistical records;
• Attends community interest meetings; coordinates special events;
• Prepares the annual budget request for the Animal Control function;
• Completes annual performance evaluations for assigned employees;
• Reviews all animal reports and assigns cases as needed;
• Checks case reports of officers and assigns them for case management/follow-up;
• Completes payroll for the team;
• Patrols the Town checking for animals running at large, licenses, and vaccinations;
• Sets up and attends annual spay/neuter clinics;
• Impounds abandoned and stray dogs, cats, and other animals; transports them to the animal shelter;
• Issues appropriate warning notices and ordinance tickets, and conducts follow‑up investigations as necessary;
• Works with sworn officers to obtain and serve search warrants;
• Contacts owners of dogs or other animals that have bitten someone to enforce a quarantine for those animals; prepares and submits the necessary reports;
• Euthanizes animals; follows procedures for disposal and/or testing; maintains log book; orders drugs needed for euthanasia;
• Returns animals to owners;
• Rescues trapped, lost, or injured animals; gives immediate medical assistance to injured animals; transports injured animals to veterinarians;
• Investigates lost or stolen animal reports;
• Supports the police operational units where animal control is needed;
• Receives and investigates citizen complaints relating to dogs and other animals;
• Makes court appearances (including testimony in criminal and civil proceedings);
• Gives school presentations on animal care and control;
• Investigates citizen complaints on a supervisory level about personnel performance;
• Performs other job‑related tasks as required.

Essential Qualifications

General knowledge of the laws, ordinances, and regulations governing animal control; knowledge of the geography of the Town; some knowledge of the care, control, and handling of domestic animals; ability to recognize communicable disease symptoms and knowledge of methods and procedures to be followed; ability to identify various breeds of animals; ability to work in a high‑stress environment; ability to maintain records and file reports; ability to deal effectively with the public; ability to lead and supervise other employees.

Education & Experience

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and some experience as a veterinary assistant or animal related training. This position also requires a valid North Carolina driver's license with an acceptable driving record, tranquilizer weapon certification, and certified euthanasia technician.

Physical Requirements

Work in the class requires considerable physical ability in order to perform animal control duties. An employee in this class must not have a significant limitation of any major life activity in that work may include walking, running, and lifting animals. Work also includes reaching, stooping, kneeling, etc. Visual acuity is necessary to read and write handwritten and typewritten reports and information.

Conditions of Employment

Requires successful completion of a physical and psychological exam, drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review), Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.