Deputy Director of Animal Care and Services

City of San José

Job Description

THE POSITION
Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the Deputy Director of ACS will plan, organize and direct the overall management, administration, operation and maintenance of ACS activities, facilities, equipment, budget, policies and procedures. The Deputy Director is responsible for overseeing general administration of the Division, including the operating budget and establishing the priorities for all service delivery elements through procedures and strategies to accomplish timely and effective utilization of available services. This position provides direct supervision over the four major units within ACS, which includes hiring, training, performance evaluations and other personnel actions to ensure productivity and quality standards are maintained. The Deputy Director represents the Department Director in a variety of interdepartmental, intergovernmental, and community matters and may assume responsibility for the Department’s operations in absence of the Director; represents ACS with local, state and national organizations and at professional events to develop partnerships with local community organizations and to create public support for departmental programs; identifies and pursues sources of revenue for ACS; and directs and performs special projects and strategic planning programs that impact departmental operations.

Priorities for the Deputy Director include:
• Identify the most effective use of staff resources for animal care and administrative operations
• Continued focus on and enhancement of animal life saving programs
• Effective recruitment, training, and retention of ACS employees
• Build and maintain coalitions/partnerships with various community organizations
• Identifying additional sources of funding and developing strategies for increasing revenue

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of San José is seeking an experienced animal services executive. Candidates should have a passion for working in a fast-paced and high-profile environment and bring a combination of strategic leadership and creative problem solving experience. The ideal candidate will be someone who understands current animal care issues and practices, is innovative in developing animal care programs, and can build strong and lasting relationships with community partner agencies. He/she will be able to communicate effectively with staff, community groups, elected officials, executives, and the media in a way that clearly conveys the vision and benefit of ACS programs; be able to effectively analyze data in order to support decisions; and must possess excellent writing skills. A confident decision-maker, who can adeptly and diplomatically navigate sensitive issues while encouraging innovation, cooperation, accountability, and a “let’s get it done” attitude will find this role fulfilling.

ANIMAL CARE AND SERVICES DIVISION
The Animal Care and Services (ACS) Division promotes and protects the health, safety and welfare of animals and people in the City of San José. It is the mission of ACS to provide a welcoming and humane place for animals and those who care for them; to protect, educate and serve the public; develop programs that improve the lives of people and animals; and create opportunities for the community and supporters to help ACS succeed.

The City of San José’s Animal Care Center was built in 2004 and provides shelter and field services to 1.2 million residents and 13,000 animals annually for San José and the adjacent cities of Cupertino, Milpitas, and Saratoga. ACS is a full-service division that offers the community many valuable programs and services. This work is supported by a staff of 94 FTEs plus volunteers. The ACS has an annual budget of over $17.5 million. Within ACS there are four units:

• Field Operations – Highly trained Animal Services Officers respond to approximately 16,500 calls for service annually and conduct enforcement activity including criminal investigations, stray animal control, dangerous dog cases, and rabies/license compliance.
• Medical Operations – Medical personnel conduct 6,200 spay/neuter surgeries per year for shelter animals and through a public low-cost spay neuter clinic.
• Shelter Operations – Shelter personnel provide care and adoptions for approximately 13,000 animal per year. This group coordinates with more than 100 rescue groups and local shelters and achieved an 86% save rate in 2024.
• Administration – This group includes almost all transactional activity such as licensing, fees, billing, accounts receivable/payable, and budget tracking.

THE COMMUNITY
Known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” the City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role anchoring the world’s leading region of innovation. Encompassing approximately 181 square miles at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay, San José is Northern California’s largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. With nearly one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rev3-DD-ACS-Recruitment-Brochure-1-1.pdf

To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter, and five professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/dep-dir-animal-care-svcs/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed.

For additional information, please contact:
Frank Rojas
(510) 495-0448
Frank_Rojas@ajg.com
Website: https://koffassociates.com/ 