Chief Field Services Officer, Director of Field Services (Animal Shelter Deputy Director) - Fairfax County

Are you passionate about animal welfare and ready to lead the charge in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community's animals? Fairfax County Government’s Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) is expanding to include a Field Services Division and we are searching for an experienced Chief Field Services Officer to oversee and enhance our animal control operations, making a profound impact on the lives of both animals and people.
 
This position oversees the Field Services Division and upholds a commitment to public health and safety, animal welfare, and promotion of pet retention and unification programs and services.
 
Fairfax County Animal Shelter is the only open-access municipal shelter with two state-of-the-art campuses located in Fairfax and Lorton, Virginia. Our shelter has a live release rate of over 90% and we’re very proud of our excellent volunteer and foster programs, highly skilled staff, and progressive sheltering policies and practices. Please visit our website at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/.
 
The ideal candidate will possess: knowledge of current best practices in animal control and shelter management programs and policies; knowledge and experience with current challenges in municipal animal service organizations including field services and shelter operations; knowledge and experience managing complex programs and budgets; experience in hiring, developing, and managing staff; and experience in establishing new programs and policies.
 
Responsibilities:

• Ensures investigation of all complaints of cruelty/neglect; prepares and/or reviews search and seizure orders and court documents.
• Serves as the primary liaison with Fairfax County Police Department to coordinate investigations and law enforcement activities.
• Oversees and coordinates enforcement activities related to animal control and animal welfare issues. Ensures the proper investigation and management procedures of all animal bites / exposure / complaints.
• Collaborates with wildlife agencies and individuals to resolve potential, existing, and perceived conflicts with wildlife including encouraging and promoting public understanding, appreciation, and tolerance of wildlife, and partnering with area licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned personnel; trains field services staff on best practices for animal handling, care, and transport and ensures proper equipment and Fear Free handling techniques are being utilized by staff. Ensures adequate coverage of operations.
• Oversees the Pet Resource Center and works to expand service delivery to increase pet retention and access to pet resources.
• Establishes, implements, and reviews goals and objectives for field services staff; identifies resource needs; develops animal control policies and procedures required to meet the mission and vision of the division.
• Works to build and strengthen community relationships and improve the impact of community programming and outreach.
• Coordinates DAS operations and services with other county departments and outside agencies.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of county, state, and federal animal welfare laws and regulations and issues concerning animal control, wildlife, and the sheltering of animals.
• Maintains accurate records and statistics of department and activities. Ensures compliance with VDACS annual training and reporting requirements.
• May serve as Acting Department Director in absence of DAS Director.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Note: All Fairfax County Animal Shelter positions are required to work shifts and/or be transferred to any DAS facility.

Schedule: This position requires flexible scheduling for program needs, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and to be available on occasional holidays.