Description

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) has an exciting opportunity for a Commander of Field Services to join their team. The headquarters for this position is located at the Riverside County (West) Animal Shelter in Jurupa, California; however, regular travel throughout Riverside County is required to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

The Commander of Animal Services plays a vital leadership role in supporting all animal shelters across Riverside County. This position oversees community outreach initiatives, collaborates with city partners, and directs field services to ensure effective operations and compassionate animal care. The Commander assists with major animal cases, serves as a team leader, and works closely with law enforcement to uphold public safety and animal welfare standards. We are seeking a candidate who can make data-driven decisions to advance the department's life-saving efforts, while demonstrating strong leadership, collaboration, and commitment to serving both animals and the community. An essential responsibility of this role is training and guiding staff to ensure compliance with policies and procedures in the field, reinforcing accountability and consistency across all operations.

Additionally, the Commander of Field Services will report to the Deputy Director II of Field Services, direct compilations of budget data and control of expenditures, recommend divisional policies and procedures, schedule major activities to assure most effective use of personnel and equipment, and r epresent the department at meetings, Board of Supervisors meetings, conferences, seminars, hearings and professional associations. The incumbent will also r ecommend divisional policies and procedures; interpret applicable laws, rules, and regulations p ertaining to divisional functions; evaluate pertinent legislative and impending changes. Additional duties include r epresenting the Field Services Division with the Deputy Director II and Director of DAS on legislative matters as a spectator and/or witness on Bills that are being heard at the State level in Sacramento related to the animals of Riverside County.

This class is characterized by the high level of responsibility for management of specialized and technical functions of a division of the Animal Services Department. Incumbents in this class report to the Deputy Director II of Field Services.

This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601 E (2), (5), and (6) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Agency/Department Head.

This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311(B) of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.

The schedule for this position may require overtime, weekends, evenings, and on-call availability, especially during an emergency.

This posting may be used to fill future mission critical vacancies.

Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.• Plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and coordinate the work of a major division of Field Services.

• Develop, organize and implement animal services field related programs, including animal rescue, ordinance enforcement, disaster relief and recovery, animal cruelty and neglect investigations, and education and outreach programs.

• Direct and evaluate work of area office supervisors for compliance with department's goals, policies and procedures.

• Recommend divisional policies and procedures; interpret applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to divisional functions; evaluate pertinent legislative and impending changes.

• Direct compilation of budget data and control of expenditures.

• Schedule major activities to ensure the most effective use of personnel and equipment.

• Provide direction and assistance on complex, controversial or politically sensitive Field Services cases; direct the preparation of detailed and comprehensive technical reports.

• Coordinate the work of the division with other divisions of the department, other departments of the County and public and private agencies.

• Represent the Field Services Division as requested on legislative matters as a spectator and/or witness on Bills that are being heard at the State level in Sacramento related to the animals of Riverside County.

• Represent the department at meetings, Board of Supervisors meetings, conferences, seminars, hearings, and professional associations.

• Prepare and administer the division's budget.

• Monitor and keep informed of current trends in Animal Welfare and Control; evaluate trends for their impact on departmental operations; recommend policy and procedural improvements.Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree, preferably with a major in business or public administration, healthcare, zoology, biology, veterinary medicine, or a closely related field to the assignment. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.)

Experience: Four years of coordinating administrative, operational and program development activities in an animal control, humane, law enforcement, or other public safety field. Three years of the required experience must have included responsibility for budgetary planning, regulatory compliance, supervision, and community relations. (Additional qualifying education may substitute for up to two years of the required non-specialized experience on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units equaling one year of experience.)

Knowledge of: The principles of management and public administration; public relations principles and techniques; supervisory principles and practices related to the selection, training, direction, motivation, and evaluation of subordinates and conflict intervention; the policies and procedures used in budget preparation, justification, monitoring, and reporting; state and local laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances pertaining to animal control and welfare; the methods and practices for maintenance of clean and humane conditions for impounded animals; laws, regulations, ordinances, and procedures pertaining to the investigation of cruelty investigations; procedures for the apprehension, custody, quarantine, transportation, and enforcement techniques used in animal control work; symptoms of rabies and other common zoonotic diseases; vector habitat and the environmental and habitat needs of wildlife.

Ability to: Manage and direct divisional activities related to animal control and welfare; maintain professionalism and strong customer service skills; analyze, interpret and accurately review citations, public complaints and formal appeals; develop and implement community and neighborhood improvement strategic plans; maintain cooperative working relationships with others; prepare clear and comprehensive written reports and correspondence; organize, conduct, implement, and evaluate employee training programs; interpret legislation, codes, regulations, ordinances, and policies to prepare written procedures; m aintain composure and deal tactfully and effectively with irate reporting parties and code violators; assist residents with problem solving neighborhood issues; maintain databases and spreadsheets of cases and time labor information.

Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License. The incumbent will travel throughout the County to support all shelter efforts.

CA Basic Animal Law Enforcement training or equivalent is required within one year of hire date.

Penal Code 832 (P.O.S.T.) certification or completion of an approved law enforcement academy training is required within one year of hire date.

State recognized euthanasia certification is required within one year of hire date.

Completion of a county supervision academy is required within one year of hire date.
Physical: Walking/standing for long periods of time; working in various weather conditions; exposure to animals, dander, blood, excretions.For specific questions regarding this position, contact Amanda Campos at acampos@rivco.org .