The Director of Animal Services is accountable for the care and wellbeing of the animals while in the LASPCA’s custody. This role ensures the delivery of programs and services responsive to the parish/municipal Cooperative Endeavor Agreements for animal care and control services. The Director of Animal Services safeguards the community’s health and safety in all aspects the sheltering and field operations and delivers the best outcomes for people and pets including but not limited to adoption, rescue or partner group placement, return to owner/field, or humane euthanasia.   

The Director of Animal Services is responsible for delivering services across both campuses within the approved budget. As a member of the leadership team, this position develops the sheltering and field annual work plans driving towards the organization’s 3 year and 10-year targets. This Director of Animal Services is responsible for leading, managing and holding accountable 4 managers across two campuses who are responsible for Animal Care, Behavior Evaluation, Client Care, Adoptions, Foster Care, Law Enforcement and Rabies Licensing. They lead the teams in creating a collaborative culture and utilize data to ensure the organization’s continued improvement.  

The Director of Animal Services maintains confidentiality regarding all cases and LA/SPCA information. Modeling excellent leadership, the Director of Animal Services is responsible for other duties as assigned by the COO or CEO. 

Leading with compassion towards people and pets, the Director of Animal Services:

• Actively engages with internal and external stakeholders (individuals and organizations) with curiosity and kindness to hear their experiences and insights. 
• Addresses and resolves people and performance issues through open and honest communication. They also provide support and opportunities for growth and skill development.   

 As a creative problem solver, the Director of Animal Services:

• Forecasts operational trends and scenario plans with the managers and other Directors. 
• Fosters an environment where issues are identified, and novel solutions are piloted. 
• Encourages idea and solution generation across all departments of the organization through collaboration. 
• Considers programs, services and practices implemented by other organizations and tailors best solutions to our local needs. 

Adaptable and able to persevere during unexpected circumstances, the Director of Operations:

• Creates emergency plans and trains team members for a variety of potential disasters. 
• Maintains flexibility when circumstances present requiring changes to plans. 
• Works within the allocated budget and finds ways to augment impact through creative solutions. 

Balanced and even-tempered, the Director of Animal Services:

• Maintains a calm and patient demeanor amid the emotionally charged nature of animal welfare. 
• Models self-awareness and presumption of good intent.

Focusing on equity and accessibility for our diverse organization, the Director of Operations:

• Speaks up, challenging others on assumptions relating to our team members and communities we serve.
• Considers how the organization’s policies and processes impact community members with different backgrounds and circumstances to minimize or mitigate disproportionate harm to the most vulnerable members of the community.  

Demonstrating humble confidence, the Director of Operations

• Designs and executes plans while continually seeking feedback to improve impact and outcomes. 
• Acknowledges areas where assistance is needed and identifies solutions to close the gap. 
• Is a continual learner seeking out opportunities to build their own skills and growth personally and professionally. 
• This position is part of the Core Team required in emergencies or extreme weather conditions, which means being on duty and available for the entire duration of the event. 

Education and/or Experience:

• Must have a valid State of Louisiana driver’s license and a drivers record acceptable to the company’s auto insurance requirements. 
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment substance screening. 
• High school diploma or GED.    
• 5+ years of experience senior leadership or management experience. 
• 3+ years of animal care and control or nonprofit animal sheltering experience.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced capabilities in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in animal sheltering databases including reporting, data analytics, and creation of verbal and visual presentation of analysis. 
• Current euthanasia technician certification or commitment to complete certification requirements and perform euthanasia within 6 months of hiring date. 
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times, stressful environment.
• Experience supervising senior managers and professional employees with a demonstrated capability to lead, manage, motivate and engage the team and individuals.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, on call or holidays when needed.