Animal Services Manager

Position Overview

The Department of Animal Services has an opportunity for an Animal Services Manager based in Riverside, CA. The selected candidate will be supporting the department's county-wide animal foster program and travelling to all shelters on a regular basis.

• Supervising staff, collaborating across divisions, supporting foster families and partner groups.
• Managing budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining strong community relations.
• Ensuring foster caregivers have the necessary supplies and resources.
• Representing the department at community events and coordinating volunteers with the volunteer division.

The animal foster division provides animals with temporary homes, helping reduce shelter stress and giving them a better chance to thrive. It allows individuals and families to care for an animal short‑term and see how the pet fits into their home environment. The department also offers “Dog Day Out,” a short‑term outing program that enriches the animals’ lives and increases their visibility in the community.

In Coachella, the FIDO Program serves as a hybrid model, combining elements of traditional fostering with structured community support to help more animals find safe and nurturing placements.

This position requires working weekends, being on‑call, and possible overtime. Driving to shelters is required, with shelters in Blythe, Coachella, San Jacinto, and Jurupa.

Competitive candidates will have administrative and operational experience that includes budget planning, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, and community relations within a public or private organization, with a strong preference for experience in animal care, control, or humane services. Ideal applicants should understand the role of foster programs in reducing shelter stress and supporting life‑saving outcomes, oversee diverse operational areas—field services, shelter operations, foster coordination, social media engagement, and veterinary support—and have field‑based experience including home visits and data system usage (e.g., Chameleon).

This class has been designated At‑Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions under Article 6, Section 601E (8) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Animal Services Director.

This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311 of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Thousand Palms.

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of all foster program policies, procedures, and goals.
• Identify animals appropriate for foster placement and coordinate with medical and behavior teams.
• Maintain accurate documentation of foster placements, returns, and outcomes.

• Recruit, screen, and onboard foster caregivers.
• Provide training, resources, and ongoing support to foster families.
• Serve as the primary contact for foster‑related questions, needs, and emergencies.

• Monitor the health and behavior of animals in foster homes.
• Coordinate veterinary care, including appointments, vaccinations, and treatments.
• Support timely return, transfer, or adoption of fostered animals.

• Promote foster programs through events, social media, and community partnerships.
• Work with communications teams to share foster success stories and program highlights.
• Represent the…