ANIMAL SERVICES AUTHORITY GENERAL MANAGER

ANIMAL SERVICES AUTHORITY GENERAL MANAGER
The Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority (ASA) is seeking a new General Manager to oversee an operating budget of $3.2 million and a full-time staff of approximately 30. The new General Manager should be responsive to the concerns of the ASA Board and the residents of Santa Cruz County. The General Manager is an executive-level position. This individual plans, organizes and manages animal shelters and animal control services. This person is responsible for the overall operation of the agency and oversees a comprehensive program that emphasizes public education and animal welfare. This position reports directly to and is appointed by the ASA Board of Directors. A proven leader with strong administrative capabilities and expertise in the public animal services field will function well. The incumbent is expected to be a problem solver, effective communicator, and a consensus builder with the knowledge, skill, and ability to handle differing points of view.  

THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz County has approximately 253,000 residents and is situated in the northern area of Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. The County’s natural beauty is apparent in its pristine beaches, lush redwood forests, and rich farmland. It has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and 300 days of sunshine a year. Its unique shops and restaurants, coupled with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities, including theatre, music, art as well as golfing, surfing, hiking, and biking, offer a wealth of leisure activities. Higher education includes Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two additional State Universities less than an hour’s drive away. The elements of high quality living make Santa Cruz County one of California’s most desirable areas.

THE ANIMAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
The ASA, a joint powers authority formed in June of 2002, is a partnership among the County of Santa Cruz and the cities of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville that provide animal shelter and control services. The ASA provides services countywide and operates two animal shelter facilities. One is located in the Live Oak neighborhood of Santa Cruz and the other is located in Watsonville.

The mission statement of the ASA is, “Through community involvement, education, adoption, and humane law enforcement, we work to preserve the well-being of all animals, and bring an end to the homeless animal crisis.”

Animal Shelter Services Include:

• Two open-door shelters which accept all animals presented for care or disposition.
• Animal adoptions, including online searches for adoptable animals and off-site services in collaboration with area animal related businesses and rescue program liaisons.
• On-site spay and neuter services and basic veterinary care for adoptable shelter animals and a low cost Spay and Neuter Clinic for low income households. 
• Lost and found services, including a telephone hotline and online posting of all found animals that arrive at the shelters.
• Dog licensing and microchip services.
• Feral cat trap rentals and assistance with feral cat colonies.
• Humane education.
• Volunteer programs to assist shelter staff at both shelter locations.
• Foster care programs that place young, sick, or unsocialized animals in home care until the animals are ready for adoption.

Animal Control Services Include:

• Rescue of animals in distress.
• Pick up of stray and lost animals.
• Response to animal bites and a rabies control program.
• Dog licensing in the field.
• Response to community complaints about nuisance animals and barking dogs.
• Cruelty investigations.
• Emergency response services.

THE REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate will have three years of proven management and administrative experience, a thorough knowledge of animal care services and an understanding of local government and the laws and regulations concerning animal services. An educational background equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with major course work in Public Administration, Business Administration, Animal Science, or closely related field is preferred. The incoming General Manager will focus on the following major issues:

• Strengthening administrative programs.     
• Monitoring and improving agency policies and practices.      
• Fostering relationships with law enforcement, public agencies and animal related nonprofit organizations.     
• Review and implement animal service model ordinance.

Medical, Dental and Vision
Medical coverage is available through CALPERS with the county paying a majority portion of the cost for the employee and dependents. The cost of the dental plan is entirely County-paid for employees and dependents. The County pays for the cost of an employee vision plan and the employee may purchase dependent coverage.

Retirement and Social Security
PERS 2% at age 55 retirement plan. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Plan
County paid $100,00 term life insurance policy. Employees may purchase additional life insurance. The County pays for a long term disability plan that pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  Candidates must submit a County application, answers to the supplemental application questions and a resume.  The completed application packet must be received by the Personnel Department or online by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2010.  For more information please call Michael J. McDougall, Personnel Director or Nisha Patel, Employment Services Manager at (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  
 
If you have a disability that would require test accommodation, call (831) 454-2600.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Application Deadline:	Friday, May 21, 2010
Review of qualifications and competitive                                  screening based on experience, education and response to supplemental questions:	Approximately May 24, 2010
Examination:*	Approximately June 9, 2010
Selection and Appointment of Candidate:	Approximately Mid-June 2010

*You may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral, performance examination or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application.   
       
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

The County of Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce.