Animal Care Program Manager*

The Job

The Department of Public Health (DPH), Animal Care Division is seeking an experienced and dynamic Animal Care Program Manager to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative management of the San Bernardino County Animal Care Division. This position is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating all aspects of County animal shelter and/or administration and field operations, and animal care programs under the direction of the Animal Care Division Chief, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, and professional services to the community.

The Program Manager oversees the daily operations of the County's animal shelters and/or administration and field services, ensuring the health, safety, and humane treatment of all animals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and established standards of animal welfare. The manager will develop, implement, and continuously evaluate division-wide policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices to improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and quality of care.

This position provides leadership through subordinate supervisors, directing and supporting multidisciplinary teams responsible for animal care, field and investigation services, administrative and fiscal services, customer service, volunteer, rescue and foster programs, and shelter operations. The Animal Care Program Manager is responsible for employee development, performance management, succession planning, and fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture that promotes accountability, innovation, professional growth, and exceptional customer service.

The Animal Care Program Manager leads the development and implementation of strategic initiatives designed to enhance shelter operations, improve animal outcomes, increase live release rates, expand community engagement, and strengthen partnerships with rescue organizations, veterinary providers, advocates, and other public and private stakeholders. The manager actively participates in development of program and division budgets and is responsible for ongoing management of budget and expenditures. The incumbent monitors operational performance through data analysis and performance metrics, identifies opportunities for continuous improvement, and implements evidence-based solutions to achieve organizational goals.

Excellent benefits are available.

Conditions of employment include a pre-employment process which includes a background investigation, fingerprinting, physical exam, and drug screening. San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require Visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future. Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment. Travel throughout the County may be required.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following education-and-experience requirements: Education: A Bachelor's degree in Public/Business/Health Administration, Health Sciences, Animal Science, Animal Husbandry or a closely related field of study. -AND- Experience: Three (3) years of full-time equivalent, professional administrative experience (e.g. policy development and evaluation; strategic program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation; contract and grant development, administration, and monitoring; budget oversight; high-level research and data analytics; and interpersonal, public, and community relations) in a Public Health program, community health organization, or closely related agency; of which two (2) years includes full-scope supervision that involved hiring, performance evaluations, and discipline up to and including termination. Supervisory experience must be gained through a formal, regular supervisory assignment. Experience obtained solely as backup or on an as-needed basis when the supervisor is absent will not be accepted.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and results-oriented leader with demonstrated experience managing complex animal shelter and field operations, supervising staff, driving organizational change, and balancing operational excellence with a strong commitment to animal welfare, public safety, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and exceptional service to residents.

Selection Process

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire. It is to your advantage to be explicit in your responses on the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire. Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00PM, Friday, August 28, 2026. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaires. To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.

If you need technical assistance, follow this link to review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of the recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans, their spouses, or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Information.

For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process.