Description

The Director of Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) is the senior leader of DACC, planning, organizing, managing, and supervising all aspects of the DACC. Under general supervision of the Associate Director, the Director of Animal Care &Control will ensure that field and shelter services are well-coordinated, effective, efficient, and in compliance with City of Detroit, State, and Federal regulations, as well as industry best practice. The Director will be responsible to ensure public safety, safe and humane sheltering, community education, and enforcement best practices are being implemented at all times. The Director will strategically plan for appropriate staffing to meet organizational and City goals, and ensure policies and procedures are in place and being followed.

The ability to coach people effectively to execute strategy and assignments in a timely fashion is required. The area of responsibility is wide, requiring competencies and knowledge of animal care and control best practices and various operational and administrative areas including Human Resources, Employee Relations, Budget and Finance, Information Technology, Facilities, enforcement of State statutes and City ordinances, and effective community engagement. The ideal candidate must be a proficient multi-tasker, possess exemplary leadership skills, be able to prioritize and redirect, and effectively lead in a diverse workplace. The ability to be quick thinking with outstanding problem solving and decision making skills is a must.

The Director must also have the ability to forecast and make recommendations to the Deputy Director and General Services Department senior leadership that will safeguard and augment DACC activities to secure long-term success. S/he must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing with multiple stakeholders, including the Mayor's Office, City Council, other City of Detroit agencies, nonprofits, and external stakeholders. Experience in animal sheltering, animal control, and policy development is required.

Examples of Duties

The successful candidate must possess a professional demeanor, be outgoing and comfortable in a variety of social situations, including public relations, media events, community meetings and other events where s/he is representing DACC. Further, this individual also must have the following attributes:

• Operates with a high level of professionalism while instilling a high level of public confidence. Must be able to meet and deal with the public and public officials in a tactful and diplomatic manner.
• Experienced in facilitating a strong culture of openness, integrity, and employee engagement. Outstanding ability to work effectively in teams of diverse people and organizations.
• Gives people opportunities to grow and achieve. Promotes collaboration and teamwork. Champions new ideas. Trains and promotes from within where possible.
• Experience in building effective relationships with community leaders.
• Works in conjunction with key stakeholders in the implementation of comprehensive strategies.
• Proven track record in fundraising.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow through.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lead projects and prepare final reports to DHD Senior Leadership, Mayor's Office, City Council, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment while providing deliverables as assigned.
• Ability to adapt to change quickly with a positive outlook.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Highly self-motivated and directed.

The successful candidate must possess a demonstrated knowledge of organizational and financial procedures for governmental agencies; a creative and dynamic approach to developing and nurturing community partnerships and fundraising opportunities; demonstrated skills in ensuring human resource excellence; and strong leadership abilities.

Minimum Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
The preferred candidate will have experience in a senior level leadership position within an Animal Care & Control facility, including demonstrated experience working with organizational, political and community leaders, and front line staff.

JOB PREREQUISITES:
Must be presently authorized to work in the United States on a full time basis. Must have a Michigan driver's license and have access to a car throughout the workday.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING
Completion of Emergency Preparedness training to include, but not limited to FEMA ISC 100, 200, 700 and 800 and others as required by department staff.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
The position will supervise the Veterinarian and others positions as defined by Associate Director and DHD Director.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Additional responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in related field is required.
• Five or more years' experience leading an animal care and control department of similar size and/or complexity is required.

EQUIVALENCY
Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Supplemental Information

POSITION COMPETENCIES:

Analytical/Assessment Skills

• Describes factors affecting the health of a community (e.g., equity, income, education, environment)
• Integrates findings from quantitative and qualitative data into organizational plans and operations (e.g., strategic plan,quality improvement plan, professional development)
• Assesses assets and resources that can be used for improving the health of a community (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs, public libraries, hospitals, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, federal grants, fellowship programs)

Policy Development/Program Planning

• Develops strategies for continuous quality improvement

Communication Skills

• Ensures that the literacy of populations served (e.g., ability to obtain, interpret, and use health and other information; social media literacy) is reflected in the organization's policies, programs, and services
• Communicates in writing and orally with linguistic and cultural proficiency (e.g., using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images)
• Evaluates approaches for disseminating public health data and information (e.g., social media, newspapers, newsletters, journals, town hall meetings, libraries, neighborhood gatherings)
• Conveys data and information to professionals and the public using a variety of approaches (e.g., reports,presentations, email, letters, testimony, press interviews)
• Communicates the roles of governmental public health, health care, and other partners in improving the health of a community

Cultural Competency Skills

• Describes the concept of diversity as it applies to individuals and populations (e.g., language, culture, values, socioeconomic status, geography, education, race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, profession, religious affiliation, mental and physical abilities, historical experiences)
• Describes the diversity of individuals and populations in a community
• Recognizes the ways diversity influences policies, programs, services, and the health of a community
• Advocates for the diversity of individuals and populations being addressed in policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community
• Takes measures to support a diverse public health workforce

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

• Ensures that community members are engaged to improve health in a community (e.g., input in developing and implementing community health assessments and improvement plans, feedback about programs and services)
• Ensures that community input is used for developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services

Financial Planning and Management Skills

• Ensures that programs are managed within current and projected budgets and staffing levels (e.g., sustaining a program when funding and staff are cut, recruiting and retaining staff)
• Establishes teams for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals (e.g., considering the value ofdifferent disciplines, sectors, skills, experiences, and perspectives; determining scope of work and timeline)
• Motivates personnel for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals (e.g., participating in teams,encouraging sharing of ideas, respecting different points of view)
• Oversees the use of evaluation results to improve program and organizational performance

Leadership and Systems Thinking

• Ensures continuous improvement of individual, program, and organizational performance (e.g., mentoring, monitoring progress, adjusting programs to achieve better results)
• Advocates for the role of public health in providing population health services

Disclaimer:
This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive listing of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point