Manager, Animal Services

Requisition ID: 43810 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

As the City’s designated Poundkeeper under Animal Control Bylaw 9150, the Manager of Animal Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for all animal control services, programs and enforcement. The role manages a seven-day-a-week, multi-site operation, ensuring full compliance with all applicable by-laws, agreements, and statutes while carrying out various functions in service of the City’s Animal Services public safety mandate. Exercising sound judgement, diplomacy, discretion, sensitivity, and empathy, the Manager of Animal Services balances public safety with welfare-focused treatment of animals entrusted to the City’s care.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Sets the strategic direction and manages the operational execution of animal control regulations and shelter services, including programs and administrative processes for bylaw compliance, licensing, adoptions, and public awareness and education.
• Makes decisions, as Poundkeeper, that are reasoned, proportionate, impartial, equitable, and compliant with relevant legislation, regulations, City bylaws, policies, and procedures while demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and sensitivity on issues related to animal health, bylaw compliance, and prosecutions, including dog licensing, aggressive dog designations, animal destruction orders, and ticketing.
• Takes responsibility for the development, maintenance, approval, and effective rollout of policies, procedures, communications, and educational materials, supporting internal administrative processes and external public awareness and education.
• Develops the annual budget and ensures financial resilience by optimizing revenues and controlling costs, while effectively balancing the needs of animal control and animal shelter programs and services.
• Oversees the safe, reliable operation of City physical assets, including the animal shelter facility and fleet vehicles, by directing routine maintenance, preventive servicing, and improvement projects in alignment with City policies and procedures.
• Leads negotiations with suppliers and vendors and manages contracts to achieve best‑value outcomes while adhering to City purchasing policies and procedures.
• Leads and manages a multi-disciplinary operational team at decentralized locations, and devises plans, schedules, and management strategies for shifts, vacations, and operating hours to optimize coverage seven days a week.
• Implements comprehensive safety protocols, support systems, and training that safeguard employees’ physical and psychological well‑being, fostering a secure and healthy workplace.
• Provides direct supervision to staff, offering clear direction, guidance, coaching, mentorship, support, and professional development to ensure exceptional customer service, competent provision of evidence in Court for prosecutions and for hearings at City Council, professional and ethical conduct, and a collaborative work environment.
• Conducts processes for recruitment and selection, performance planning, reviews, investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations in accordance with applicable collective agreement and other employment statutes, and represents the Employer in the grievance process.
• Exercises primary managerial oversight for escalated complaints and public concerns, handling matters in a timely, professional, ethical, tactful, and fair manner.
• Cultivates positive relationships within the community through transparent communication and effective information dissemination.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with external agencies and community partners and collaborates on mutually beneficial initiatives that address complex issues affecting bylaw compliance and public safety.
• Creates and presents reports to Council and Committees in collaboration with the Assistant Director, Community Standards, showcasing insights and offering recommendations.
• Contributes valuable input on changes in policies, revisions to bylaws, and administrative matters related to bylaw enforcement and licensing services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in a relevant field such as Business Management, Public Safety, Public Administration, or Criminology, supplemented by at least five years of progressive management experience involving bylaw enforcement, animal control, and/or shelter operations within a unionized environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of employee and labour relations, recruitment and selection, performance management, attendance management, professional development, employee discipline, termination and representing the Employer in the grievance process
• Knowledge and the understanding of collective agreement(s)
• Knowledge of WCB Industrial Health and Safety Regulations
• Public engagement and public education knowledge and or experience
• Knowledge or experience in adult learning/ coaching principles
• Working knowledge of Administration practices in a public sector business environment
• Knowledge of the methods and requirements of accounting and financial management
• Ability to set priorities aligned with corporate goals, with political awareness and sensitivity
• Strong organizational skills to set priorities and manage a changing workload, track and follow up/follow through on assignments, projects, and reports involving other departments
• Ability to navigate and troubleshoot issues
• Attention to detail and the ability to analyze information towards problem solving
• Good understanding of the use of metrics and interpretation thereof for work performance and application purposes. 
• General understanding of the practices, methods and techniques used in Animal Control operations, including provincial regulations, City bylaws and regulations, enforcement techniques and kennel operations
• Ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with a high degree of discretion and impartially
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with a wide variety of internal and external contacts
• Ability to analyze technical reports and information and prepare for general use
• Ability to promote productive and coordinated teams
• Ability to set clear expectations for staff, set performance goals and coach employees to achieve desired results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and databases
• Ability to plan and control a budget and to administer funds
• A valid BC driver's license is required
• Police record check

Business Unit/Department: Development, Buildings & Licensing (1250) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: July, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-091: $111,139 to $138,924 per year

Application Close: June 1, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.