Animal Care and Control Director

ABOUT THE ROLE The Animal Care and Control Director provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction for all programs and operations within Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. Reporting to the General Services Director and Deputy Director, this role ensures the welfare and humane treatment of animals while advancing public health and safety. The Director oversees animal control enforcement, shelter operations, veterinary clinical services, community outreach, and public education, leading a diverse team of professionals to deliver compassionate care and effective services. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all functions of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control - Develop and implement strategies to promote responsible pet ownership, control stray populations, and increase live-release rates - Develop, manage, and recommend the division budget, authorize expenditures, and approve budgets of direct reports - Serve as Administrative Hearing Officer for appeals regarding dangerous dog declarations, nuisance declarations, enforcement orders, and civil citations - Serve as the Mecklenburg County Dog Warden in cooperation with the Mecklenburg County Health Department - Plan, direct, and evaluate work procedures for the enforcement of state and local animal laws - Oversee humane shelter operations, ensuring proper protocols for animal handling, housing, and euthanasia - Direct and maintain all necessary licenses for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services Clinic - Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to subordinate managers and staff - Identify and respond to community concerns, evaluating the adequacy of existing services and developing new programs as needed MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's Degree with major course work in zoology, animal husbandry, veterinary science, or a related field (Master's Degree preferred) - A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a municipal, public sector, or nonprofit animal welfare environment - A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a supervisory or management capacity - Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License - Preferred: Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) credential SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Certification requirements for chemical immobilization - Completion of course requirements as required by the State for Cruelty Investigators - Ability to work in disagreeable conditions, continuously exposed to noise, intermittent standing, walking, and occasional pushing, carrying, or lifting - Must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination SELECTION PROCESS - Final candidates are subject to a comprehensive background check, including reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and applicable credit history, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle records checks - Candidates may be asked to take a skills test and/or participate in other assessments during the selection process - All background checks and screenings must comply with federal and state statutes, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) HOW TO APPLY - Apply online through the official City of Charlotte careers portal before the closing date - Self-service application kiosks are available at the Human Resources Department lobby: 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202 (Open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST, excluding official City holidays) - For questions about the application or hiring process, email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us - To request reasonable accommodations, fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120 EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: City of Charlotte - Department: General Services Department - Job Type: Full time - Job Requisition ID: JR104197 - Date Opened: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - Close Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 12:00 AM - Location: Animal Control, Charlotte, NC - Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package available to eligible employees (details available on the City of Charlotte website)