Animal Services Supervisor

City of Rancho Cordova, CA; Rancho Cordova (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision stipend or cash

13 paid holidays

Universal Time Off

CalPERS retirement

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF eligible

Onsite fitness area

Job summary

The City of Rancho Cordova seeks an experienced Animal Services Supervisor to lead and grow the Animal Services Division within Neighborhood Services. This hands‑on leadership role combines staff supervision with active field operations, complex investigations, and delivering high‑quality animal services to the community.

The ideal candidate will balance people leadership with field execution, ensuring responsive service, program development, and collaboration with partners in law enforcement

Qualifications

• An Associate’s degree in animal science, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of experience as a Senior Animal Services Officer at the City of Rancho Cordova, or five (5) years in animal services with at least three (3) years of lead/supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Animal Services staff, assign work, set priorities, coach, and evaluate performance.
• Oversee daily operations of the Animal Services Division, including field services and investigations.
• Provide technical leadership on complex and high‑risk animal investigations involving public safety or welfare concerns.
• Support field operations, respond to incidents, and provide on‑call coverage as needed.
• Manage programs and administrative functions, including budget, ordinances, licensing, and outreach.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, prosecutors, veterinarians, shelters, and community partners on Animal Services matters.

Education

Associate degree in animal science, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or related field

Job description

Lead a team that makes a difference for animals and the Rancho Cordova community!

The City of Rancho Cordova is seeking an experienced Animal Services Supervisor to lead the daily operations of the City's Animal Services Division within the Neighborhood Services Department. This is a hands-on supervisory role responsible for leading and developing Animal Services staff, overseeing field operations and enforcement activities, and ensuring responsive, professional service to the community.

We're looking for an experienced animal services professional who is ready to lead a team while remaining actively engaged in operations, complex investigations, and the delivery of high-quality Animal Services programs.

About the Role

• Lead and supervise Animal Services staff, including assigning work, establishing priorities, coaching and mentoring employees, evaluating performance, coordinating training, and ensuring appropriate staffing to meet operational needs.
• Oversee the daily operations of the Animal Services Division, including field services, enforcement activities, investigations, service levels, operational procedures, and continuous improvement of programs and services.
• Provide technical leadership on complex and high-risk animal investigations, including potentially dangerous and vicious animals, animal cruelty and neglect, animal seizures, and other matters involving significant public safety or animal welfare concerns.
• Support field operations and maintain operational readiness, including responding to significant incidents and providing on-call or field shift coverage when staffing shortages, emergencies, or other operational needs require additional support.
• Manage and support Animal Services programs and administrative functions, including budget oversight, policies and procedures, ordinances, equipment and vehicle needs, public education, licensing, outreach, and relationships with community partners.
• Serve as a key City representative and operational partner, coordinating with law enforcement, the District Attorney's Office, veterinarians, shelters, rescue organizations, regulatory agencies, other City departments, and the community on Animal Services matters.

Position Requirements

This position supports a field-based operation and requires flexibility to meet the service and emergency response needs of Animal Services. The selected candidate must:

• Be willing to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Participate in emergency response and provide on-call and field shift coverage, including performing the duties of subordinate classifications when necessary to maintain operations.
• Reside within a 45-minute commute from the work site.
• Be able to tolerate the euthanasia of animals.

Please refer to the Physical Working Conditions and Environments section below for additional information regarding the field, physical, environmental, and operational requirements of this position.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced animal services professional and people-focused leader who can effectively balance staff leadership, field operations, animal welfare, public safety, and customer service.

• Have significant experience in animal services or animal control, including lead or supervisory experience.
• Be an effective leader who can coach, mentor, develop, and hold staff accountable.
• Possess strong knowledge of animal services enforcement practices, investigations, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Exercise sound judgment and remain calm during complex, sensitive, or emergency situations.
• Communicate effectively and build positive relationships with staff, partner agencies, community organizations, and the public.
• Be organized, adaptable, and comfortable managing competing operational priorities.
• Be willing and able to remain hands-on in field operations when needed.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

• Choice of a generous monthly stipend for Medical/Dental/Vision or Cash in Lieu of Medical Insurance.
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Universal Time Off (combined vacation and sick leave).
• CalPERS Retirement.
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $2,500/fiscal year
  • The City of Rancho Cordova is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Onsite fitness area & many more employee perks!

City employees also enjoy the knowledge that their work matters to the residents, visitors and businesses in our community. See what some of employees have to say about working for the City of Rancho Cordova, by watching this short video:

The City of Rancho Cordova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristics protected by law.

Full job description for the position can be found by clicking the link below:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. For instance, two (2) years of directly related job experience may be substituted for each one (1) year of education listed below. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in animal science, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience as a Senior Animal Services Officer at the City of Rancho Cordova.

OR

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, at a level comparable in scope and complexity to that of a Senior Animal Services Officer at the City of Rancho Cordova, in animal services, animal control, or a closely related field, including at least three (3) years of lead or supervisory experience.

License or Certification:

• Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with the City of Rancho Cordova’s Driving Policy.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Certificate of Completion of Euthanasia by Injection within six (6) months of appointment.
• Possession of a Certificate of Completion of Arrest, Search, and Seizure (Penal Code 832).
• Possession of a Certificate of Completion of an animal law enforcement Basic Academy or equivalent.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Certificate of Completion of CalAnimals Officer Academy Advanced within six (6) months of appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, designation as a certified Animal Control Officer in the State of California within six (6) months of appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate, such as issued by the American Red Cross within one (1) year of appointment.

For a complete list of employment standards and minimum qualifications, please refer to the job description link below.

Animal Services Supervisor

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Work is performed in both office and field environments. The position requires frequent travel throughout the community to supervise field operations, respond to incidents, conduct inspections, attend meetings, and provide operational support. Employees may be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions and may be exposed to infectious animal diseases, aggressive or injured animals, animal waste, animal bites and scratches, allergens, hazardous materials, and other environmental hazards associated with animal care and control operations. Must also be able to tolerate the euthanasia of animals.

Must be willing to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime; participate in emergency response; and provide on-call and field shift coverage, including performing the duties of subordinate classifications, as necessary to maintain continuity of Animal Services operations.

Must reside within a 45-minute commute from the work site.

Must be proficient in the safe operation, demonstration, and proper use of animal control equipment, including:

• 48-inch instant release control poles
• 36-inch animal graspers, animal traps
• Raccoon/skunk boxes, animal gauntlets
• 30-inch snappy snares
• 42-inch snake tongs
• Dog leads
• Tranquilizer equipment, humane euthanasia injection tools
• Other equipment used in animal services operations.

Must possess the physical ability to walk on uneven terrain; climb, crawl, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and work in confined spaces; safely restrain and handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments; lift and carry animals, equipment, or supplies weighing up to 80 pounds with or without assistance; and operate a motor vehicle while responding to field assignments and emergencies.

FLSA- Non-exempt Status