Pasquotank County
Overview
Plans, directs, and manages the activities of the Animal Services Department, ensuring the safety and welfare of animals in the County’s care and the protection of public health. Provides strategic leadership to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming facility for both animals and visitors, while creating an efficient, professional, and supportive work environment for staff. Oversees compliance with the Animal Control Ordinance, North Carolina animal welfare laws, and related statutes. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of all sheltering and animal control functions within Pasquotank County. This role ensures the highest standards of public safety, animal care, and customer service while advancing innovative, compassionate solutions to community animal issues. The Animal Services Director reports to the County Manager.
Responsibilities
Supervises and develops a team of Animal Services professionals, guiding performance, resolving personnel matters, and fostering a high-performance culture that drives compassionate care and public service excellence.
Partners with County leadership to plan, implement, and evaluate strategic policies, programs, and ordinances that enhance animal services and align with community needs.
Serves as a key liaison with County departments, public officials, advocacy groups, and citizens to strengthen outreach, education, and positive relationships with the public and partner organizations.
Oversees shelter operations and ensure all programs—from foster care to volunteer engagement—reflect the highest standards of humane treatment, safety, and community connection.
Coordinates media relations and public awareness campaigns to keep residents informed on adoption opportunities, public health issues, and responsible pet ownership.
Addresses citizen complaints, appeals, and service inquiries with compassion, fairness, and adherence to legal and organizational guidelines.
Monitors service trends, maintain detailed reports, and use data-driven insights to inform decisions and improve services.
Leads the review of animal ordinances, fees, and operational practices in coordination with County legal, budget, and policy teams to ensure effective, efficient services.
Oversees financial planning and resource allocation for the department, ensuring accountability, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with county priorities.
Directs the department’s disaster response efforts in coordination with emergency agencies, ensuring the safety of animals and the public in times of crisis.
Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Public Health, Animal Science, Law Enforcement, or related field, and five (5) years of experience in animal sheltering, three (3) years of which was in a supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of training, education or work experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Extensive relevant experience may substitute for formal education requirements.
Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) and Certified Rabies Vaccinator (CRV) or ability to attain those certifications within six months of hire. Valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required.
Knowledge to manage and motivate individuals to fulfill the responsibilities of the Animal Services program.
Knowledge of State laws and local laws, regulations and ordinances relating to rabies, animal services, animal cruelty, and confinement of animals.
Knowledge of public policy and budget management, regulations, administration, licensing, security, and monitoring of services led substances.
Knowledge of methods of safely capturing and caring for animals, disease prevention, quarantine and services in the animal shelter environment and breeds of animals to aid in identification of lost pets and to know aggressiveness of various breeds.
Skilled at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agencies, law enforcement officials, local and State officials, the public, employees, and other Department Directors.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate the work of others.
Ability to prepare a detailed budget and various reports.
Ability to understand and apply State and local laws, rules, and regulations to local procedures.
Ability to work constructively, courteously, and tactfully with the public and to maintain composure in stressful situations.
Ability to work effectively with an elected and/or appointed board members.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private groups and individuals.
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Responsibilities
Supervises and develops a team of Animal Services professionals, guiding performance, resolving personnel matters, and fostering a high-performance culture that drives compassionate care and public service excellence.
Partners with County leadership to plan, implement, and evaluate strategic policies, programs, and ordinances that enhance animal services and align with community needs.
Serves as a key liaison with County departments, public officials, advocacy groups, and citizens to strengthen outreach, education, and positive relationships with the public and partner organizations.
Oversees shelter operations and ensure all programs—from foster care to volunteer engagement—reflect the highest standards of humane treatment, safety, and community connection.
Coordinates media relations and public awareness campaigns to keep residents informed on adoption opportunities, public health issues, and responsible pet ownership.
Addresses citizen complaints, appeals, and service inquiries with compassion, fairness, and adherence to legal and organizational guidelines.
Monitors service trends, maintain detailed reports, and use data-driven insights to inform decisions and improve services.
Leads the review of animal ordinances, fees, and operational practices in coordination with County legal, budget, and policy teams to ensure effective, efficient services.
Oversees financial planning and resource allocation for the department, ensuring accountability, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with county priorities.
Directs the department’s disaster response efforts in coordination with emergency agencies, ensuring the safety of animals and the public in times of crisis.
Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Public Health, Animal Science, Law Enforcement, or related field, and five (5) years of experience in animal sheltering, three (3) years of which was in a supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of training, education or work experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Extensive relevant experience may substitute for formal education requirements.
Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) and Certified Rabies Vaccinator (CRV) or ability to attain those certifications within six months of hire. Valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required.
Knowledge to manage and motivate individuals to fulfill the responsibilities of the Animal Services program.
Knowledge of State laws and local laws, regulations and ordinances relating to rabies, animal services, animal cruelty, and confinement of animals.
Knowledge of public policy and budget management, regulations, administration, licensing, security, and monitoring of services led substances.
Knowledge of methods of safely capturing and caring for animals, disease prevention, quarantine and services in the animal shelter environment and breeds of animals to aid in identification of lost pets and to know aggressiveness of various breeds.
Skilled at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agencies, law enforcement officials, local and State officials, the public, employees, and other Department Directors.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate the work of others.
Ability to prepare a detailed budget and various reports.
Ability to understand and apply State and local laws, rules, and regulations to local procedures.
Ability to work constructively, courteously, and tactfully with the public and to maintain composure in stressful situations.
Ability to work effectively with an elected and/or appointed board members.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private groups and individuals.
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