HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Services CoordinatorUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Animal Services Coordinator
Department: Police
Division: Animal Services
Supervisor: Police Captain
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: No
Pay Grade: 29
Job Number: 2911
Job Summary
Directs, manages and supervises the Animal Services Enforcement Staff and the Animal Care
and Adoption Center for Iowa City Police Department.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Monitors revenue and expenses in relation to annual budget and responsible for all
billings and depositing of all monies.
• Plans, directs, and supervises all staff and volunteers to include safety, training,
procedures, and compliance.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains the policies, procedures and guidelines for the Animal
Care and Adoption Center.
• Responds to, investigates, and resolves inquiries and complaints.
• Assigns, monitors and reviews work assignments of staff, prepares all schedules and
rosters.
• Makes daily inspection of animal center areas to ensure work is accomplished, animals
are cared for and facility is sanitary.
• Prepares and reviews variety of division reports including documentation of division
activity for various parties.
• Maintains controlled substance records and renews license yearly.
• Plans and implements capital improvement projects, CIPS and capital outlay activities.
• Oversees approved facility expansion or enhancement projects, maintenance of facility,
grounds, and vehicles.
• Oversees the intake, treatment, care, adoption, or euthanasia of domestic and wild
animals.
• Performs euthanasia duties as required.
• Develops and implements education programs regarding responsible animal care and
ownership.
• Works directly with veterinarians, ensuring medical protocols are carried out.
• Oversees all inventories and ordering of shelter supplies and equipment.
• Drafts animal control ordinances, amendments and resolutions as required.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Acts as primary contact or liaison to the City Council, other government agencies,
contracted entities, media outlets and the public with regard to Animal Services Division.
• Develops and maintains cooperative work relationships with other community agencies
and organizations.
• Fulfills speaking engagements and prepares media releases and oversees website and
social media content as needed.
• Provides staff support to the Friends of the Animal Center Foundation to include
attendance at monthly meetings.
• Directs animal response in disasters and maintains emergency disaster response plan
and equipment for animals in Johnson County.
• Oversees the Animal Services volunteer, internship, and foster care programs.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree in Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technology,
Animal Science or related.
• Certified Veterinary Technician or equivalent. Euthanasia Technician Certification. Valid
State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age.
Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related
experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Positive reinforcement dog training and behavior experience.
Supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to and work directly with the public in very emotional, sometimes highly charged
environment.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, and percentages.
• Ability to disseminate educational information to the public relating to the centers
mission.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or
boards of directors.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and effectively delegate.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Ability to read and understand manuals, technical journals, financial reports, and legal
documents, state and other regulations in order to record work activities, complete
required records or provide information to the public.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to work in a very busy, hectic, high stress environment.
• Ability to write reports and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and
format.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, health and welfare.
• Knowledge of City ordinances and State and Federal laws relating to animal control.
• Knowledge of the equipment necessary to restrain animals such as catch poles, trucks,
and various traps and cages.
• Skill in excellent public relations experience, be public service oriented and believe in the
mission of the division.
• Skill in oral and written communication and in the operation and maintenance of a
number of office machines and communication equipment.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
Assists with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a program function or unit for
the department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's
policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include supervising direct reports including
interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; writing
and delivering performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing
complaints and resolving problems; and terminating employees.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 50 pounds, and will
occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus. Hand dexterity, balance and strength are essential in performing
treatments on animals and during animal handling.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
insect stings, and animals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to
work closely with both domestic and wild animals and will be exposed to related hazards. The
employee is regularly exposed to communicable and Zoonotic diseases. The noise level in the
work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations.
Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Dustin Liston, Police Chief (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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