Deputy Director of Animal Services

The Animal Services Department is hiring our next Deputy Director! Our mission is to create PAWsitive impact by enriching the lives of animals and people. We accomplish this by caring for thousands of animals (domestic and wildlife) annually and working to reunite them with their owners, rehome them, or transfer them to rescue and rehabilitation organizations. We also play an important role in assisting the public with their animal-related concerns. When you join TeamRC, you can expect to be working in a fast-paced environment with a dedicated and committed team of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect and serve the animals and people in our community.

You will make a difference!

The Deputy Director of Animal Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Animal Center, overseeing administrative functions, budget management, program support, and personnel supervision. This position supports a broad range of services and may serve as Acting Director in the Director’s absence. The Animal Center cares for more than 3,000 domestic and wild animals annually and operates a comprehensive list of programs, including adoptions, foster and rescue partnerships, volunteer opportunities, customer support, behavior and enrichment, veterinary (non-public) services, and field services operations. The Deputy Director plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality service delivery, promotes a compassionate and humane approach to animal care, and contributes to long-term planning, organizational effectiveness, and community engagement.

This position will be a perfect fit for you if:

• You are a leader. You encourage collaboration and enjoy mentoring and teaching.
• You use sound judgement in high pressure situations. You have great political acumen.
• You are a great communicator, multitasker, have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and are results driven.
• You are well versed in animal care, veterinary services, animal behavior, field services, customer service, community programs, and budget management.
• You are a lifelong learner, follow trends, and promote animal welfare best practices.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of each division: Administration, Customer Care, Animal Care and Adoptions, Veterinary Services, Behavior and Enrichment, Rescue Placement, Community Programs, and Field Services.
• Evaluating the animals in the Center’s care and making recommendations for placement or euthanasia.
• Overseeing personnel activities including selecting, training, evaluating employee performance and initiating disciplinary action.
• Developing and implementing processes and procedures and setting department goals and objectives.
• Assisting with the development of the department’s annual budget and tracking expenditure and revenues.
• Leading CIP projects and working collaboratively with Public Works and DoIt to oversee the day-to-day facility and IT needs.
• Presenting reports, recommendations, and information to the City Council and other citizen and community groups.
• Overseeing the department’s emergency disaster response and safety programs.
• Responding to customer complaints, request for information, and assisting with leading field services investigations.
• Act as the Animal Services Director as needed.

For more information about this position please visit thejob description.


RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:
Application Deadline: Thursday, April 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
1st Panel Interview: TBD

**All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the personnel officer**

Ways we support our Team RC Family


To learn more about additional Team RC perks, please visit the benefits tab located at the top of the flyer – please note that some perks may not be available for certain positions and may require approval.

Education and/ or Experience:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major course work in animal sciences, social science, public administration, business administration or related field, preferably supplemented by a master’s degree, additional education or professional certification in the field of animal services or a related area. At least five years of responsible management and supervisory experience; management experience in an animal center or comparable facility is preferred.

Examples of Acceptable Substitutions:Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in animal services, social science, public administration, business administration or a related field, plus five(5) yearsofresponsible management and supervisory experience; management experience in an animal center or comparable facility.
Substitution:A total of nine(9)years of responsible management and supervisory experience; management experience in an animal center or comparable facility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of theories and principles of animal services operations, administration, field services (animal control), veterinary procedures, animal behavior and care, zoonotic disease, customer service, and applicable State, County, and municipal laws, ordinances, and regulations governing health and safety and animal welfare; knowledge of occupational hazards and safety practices necessary in animal services; knowledge of commonly used animal shelter software; ability to operate and maintain a variety of animal services equipment including laundry, cleaning, veterinary, animal control, and safe operation of a motor vehicle; Ability to plan, manage, and be accountable for the work of volunteers, animal care, customer care, animal placement, veterinary, and field services personnel; ability to provide counseling, mediation, conflict resolution, and team building; understand principles of supervision, training, performance evaluations and performance improvement plans; principles of municipal budget preparation, management, and control; ability to make program recommendations on budgeting and staffing; knowledge of emergency preparedness and disaster response; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; speak effectively before large and small audiences; develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of department staff, government, business, and community officials. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays, and on-call basis.

Special Requirements:
A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy. APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants are required to apply online atwww.cityofrc.us.This position will close on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 5:00 pmor until a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Applications must be complete and demonstrate that the minimum qualifications are met. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. Resumes may be attached to completed application form as supplemental information and will not be accepted in lieu of an official application form. Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates who best match the needs of the City will be invited to compete further in the examination process. All candidates will be notified of their application status by email throughout the recruitment process. Candidates invited to compete in the examination process, who successfully pass the examination process, will be place on an eligibility list. The candidate on the eligibility list who most closely meets the requirements of the City may be selected to receive a final offer. The City may conclude that none of the candidates, even those who meet the minimum qualifications, are appropriate for the position.

Successful candidates shall be required to:

• Pass a reference and background verification. References will not be contacted until a mutual interest has been established, and
• Provide proof of a valid California driver's license and be insurable; and
• Degree Verification; and
• Pass a pre-employment medical exam

If hired, candidate will be required to complete a verification form designated by Immigration and Naturalization Service to certify that they are eligible for employment in the United States of America and furnish proof certifying legal authorization to work in the United States.

The City of Rancho Cucamonga Participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In accordance, the City will provide the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information regarding E-Verify, the Federal Government's online employment eligibility verification system, please visitwww.uscis.gov.

Disclaimers
The City of Rancho Cucamonga is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In addition, the City of Rancho Cucamonga abides by a nepotism policy that may preclude you from being hired if the City employs a relative. The City of Rancho Cucamonga makes reasonable accommodations for disabled persons, considering each situation on an individual basis. Please make direct requests for accommodation to Human Resources. For information on Employee Rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, please clickhere(Download PDF reader). City Offices and vehicles. Finally, please note that the provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to Human Resources at Careers@CityofRC.us. Applicants may wish to visit the City's official website atwww.cityofrc.usfor more information.