Shelter Behavior Manager

Job Description:

Shelter Behavior Manager

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SHELTER BEHAVIOR MANAGER

(OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATOR)

SALARY INFORMATION

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This position is scheduled to receive a salary range increase on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Open to the Public
This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Operations and Maintenance Administrator positions within the OC Community Resources/OC Animal Care. The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment will close on July 10, 2025 , at 11:59 PM (PT).

OC ANIMAL CARE

OC Animal Care's mission is to provide refuge and care for animals, foster the human-animal bond and promote safety in our community to ensure a safe compassionate community for all. OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership; health and safety of people and animals and spay/neuter programs. OC Animal Care provides temporary shelter and medical care for lost, owned, or stray animals and opportunities for adoption for these animals. OC Animal Care (OCAC) was founded in 1941 in the City of Orange in Orange County, California as a rabies control center with only 25 dog kennels. Since then, OCAC has expanded to play an important role in Orange County's animal care community. OCAC serves 14 cities and the unincorporated areas of Orange County with its expanded programs and services, and in 2024 alone, the agency accepted over 15,000 animals. OCAC's goal is to deliver prompt, temporary care and refuge to homeless animals, reunite animals with their owners, facilitate adoption, ensure public safety, and enhance the human-animal bond in the community. The shelter is designed to provide a positive experience for animals and people alike, and is the backdrop for the adaptive animal programming continually developed by OC Animal Care to provide enrichment, engagement and adoption services for the animals in its care.

For more information on OC Community Resources click on the link.
For more information on the County of Orange click on the link.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Shelter Behavior Manager (Operations Maintenance Administrator) is responsible for considerate and efficient evaluation, movement, and placement of animals in the care of OC Animal Care, and oversees all aspects of animal behavior and enrichment activities, supervises the Animal Adoptability Assessment team, and develops and maintains programs and procedures to ensure animals are cared for in a manner consistent with OC Animal Care’s evaluation, enrichment, behavior, and adoption programs. This position will report to the Operations Manager and will collaborate with the Shelter Care Manager and Shelter Programs Manager to develop and execute strategic positive pathway planning, aimed at enhancing the quality of care and outcomes for animals within OC Animal Care. The position plays a vital role in supporting a compassionate, informed and structured approach to animal welfare through proactive management, effective communication, and alignment with organizational goals.

Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operational oversight of OC Animal Care’s Animal Adoptability Assessment team.
• Manages behavior assessments and planned enrichment programs.
• Tracks, manages, and stays informed regarding all shelter animals enrolled in behavior support programs and makes recommendations towards next steps in pathway planning based on standard evaluation criteria and utilizing routine assessments.
• Under the guidance of the Operations Manager, expands or implements new programmatic initiatives to further OC Animal Care’s mission as it relates to behavior and enrichment programs with an emphasis on tailored programming for shelter animals whose residency may exceed the average length of stay for their species.
• Contributes to curriculum development and strategic planning for programs, including staff and volunteer trainings for animal handling, safety, and behavior.
• Develops, manages, teaches, trains and leads enrichment programs such as TLC, Click for Quiet, Playgroups, Pack Walks, Kong/Puzzle/Scent programs, etc.
• Manages and/or conducts animal intake behavior evaluations using standard evaluation criteria, consistent in-care behavioral assessments, and pre-adoption and post-adoption behavior consultations.
• Researches, develops and implements behavior and enrichment techniques in a shelter environment.
• Develops intentional positive Pathway planning for animals in OC Animal care to maintain shelter capacity and support animal welfare.
• Facilitates structured and productive staff meetings to effectively communicate and address operational challenges and resource requirements.
• Supports the management team in evaluating procedures and identifying strategic solutions to operational challenges.
• Provides training, development, and goal setting for assigned staff, ensuring proficiency in daily animal assessments and the formulation of effective pathway plans.
• Develops and implements guidelines and checklists to support programming initiatives to be followed by staff and/or volunteers.
• Supports Fear Free principles and positive reinforcement training methods used and recommended by OC Animal Care.
• Performs the duties of any behavior personnel as necessary to ensure efficient and consistent departmental operations.

OC Animal Care provides service 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Incumbents should be prepared to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends and holidays. Incumbents may be drafted for mandatory overtime in the event of an emergency, disaster, or during periods of unexpected staffing shortages.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate shall possess at least one (1) year of full-time work experience as a manager working in an animal shelter program, overseeing areas such as behavior programming, shelter care and housing, intake and diversion, rescue or foster programs, or other public education programming related to humane animal care and sheltering
OR
At least four (4) years of full-time work experience in an animal shelter program in areas such as behavior programming, shelter care and housing, intake and diversion, rescue or foster programs, or other public education programming related to humane animal care and sheltering, A Bachelor's degree in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience. A Master's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be certified or experienced Training Instructor/Behavior Consultant.
The following are the core competencies for this position:

Technical Knowledge & Expertise

• Certified or experienced Training Instructor/Behavior Consultant.
• Knowledge of training theory, standard evaluation criteria, and methods.
• Knowledge of canine and feline body communication, behavior and health.
• Proficiency in utilizing specialized animal care software, including Chameleon, to support effective record management and operational efficiency.
• Expertise in staff development, mentorship, and professional growth strategies.
• Proficiency in safe animal handling practices, ensuring the well-being of both animals and personnel.
• Extensive experience in animal care and treatment within professional environments, ensuring adherence to best practices and animal welfare standards.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State, and County regulations governing animal welfare and shelter operations, ensuring compliance and effective application.

Analytical Thinking & Judgment

• Objective analysis of problems and development of effective course of action.
• Strong attention to detail, organization skills, and time management.
• Ability to successfully plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
• Sound judgment in seeking out resources and consulting with others to gain and share information.
• Proactive, strategic planning and alignment of all undertakings with the organizational vision.
• Effective management of competing priorities while meeting established deadlines.
• Innovation and creativity with a solution focus.

Leadership & Teamwork

• Exceptional ability to foster strong, collaborative relationships with staff at all levels, volunteers, stakeholders, and the public, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
• Operate independently and collaboratively.
• Accountability for personal performance, goal achievement, and organizational contribution.
• Provide strategic guidance and mentorship, ensuring effective supervision and continuous professional development within the team.

Communication

• Must have excellent skills in effective oral and written communication and problem solving with staff, volunteers, various stakeholders, and the community
• Exchanging accurate and concise information with others both orally and in writing
• Relaying confidence when communicating information; clearly and concisely composes written documents and slide presentations to convey information with accuracy
• Following written and oral instruction effectively
• Interpreting and applying oral/written instructions
• Listening actively to others for full understanding of what is being communicated.
• Communicating with staff, stakeholders, volunteers, and the public in a variety of situations, exemplifying social skill, critical thinking, situational awareness, diplomacy and tact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for the full classification specification for Operations and Maintenance Administrator (8266MA).
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Recorded Structured Oral Interview (rSOI) | (Weighted 100%)
The rSOI is a timed oral interview conducted virtually through an online vendor. Applicants will be asked a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job. All applicant responses will be video recorded so that they can be evaluated against pre-determined criteria by a panel of job knowledge experts. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Issa Reyna at 714-480-2896 or e-mail Issa.Reyna@occr.ocgov.com

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.


Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:

• Retirement: Benefits are provided through the Orange County Employees' Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
  http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information .
• Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
• Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
• Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
• Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
• 457 Defined Contribution Program

*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 7/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$92,372.80 - $127,961.60 Annually