About Our Job

Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is dedicated to advancing Denver’s environmental and public health goals. DDPHE works collaboratively with city, state and community partners to conduct education, community engagement, and enforcement to promote healthy people, healthy pets, and a sustainable environment. DDPHE oversees a number of services related to public health and the environment and is comprised of six divisions: the Division of Shared Services and Business Operations; Community & Behavioral Health; Public Health Investigations; Denver Animal Protection; the Office of Medical Examiner; and Environmental Quality.

For more information on DDPHE’s programs and services, visit the DDPHE website at: http://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/environmental-health.html.

Denver Animal Protection (DAP) provides animal care and protection services for all of Denver County. We foster the human-animal bond by protecting the safety and welfare of Denver’s animals and citizens. DAP is committed to providing humane care to companion animals; reuniting lost pets with their owners; adopting pets to loving homes; enforcing Denver County animal ordinances; and proactively educating the public about animals, their needs, and DAP’s critical role as a community resource.

The Denver Animal Protection team has an opening for a Director of Denver Animal Protection.

Job duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directs the performance of the division by implementing the strategic plan, and the associated division level key performance indicators (KPIs). Develops and implements strategies for optimizing performance of the division with the goal of meeting or exceeding the established KPI performance benchmarks.
• Oversees the operation of the Denver Animal Shelter, including animal care, veterinary services, adoption and lost and found services
• Responsible for a division of approximately 60 team members with 6 direct reports and a budget of $6M. The division operates seven days a week and has personnel on-call every night.
• Represents the division’s positions, initiatives and interests with a focus on promoting animal welfare policies, practices, and programs. Promotes and improves compliance and enforcement of Denver’s animal laws through reasonable policy and measurable outcomes.
• Furthers the division’s mission through inviting community engagement and collaborative participation in animal welfare and animal compliance outcomes; recommends animal welfare and compliance initiatives, reasonable policy, and best practices for the promotion of animal welfare and compliance
• Maintains collaborative relationships with other animal shelters and animal-related organizations metro-wide
• Provides expertise and consultative guidance to internal and external stakeholders as assigned which may include elected and appointed officials, citizens, and members of the business community
• Ensures all budgets remain at or below established targets and effectively manages operating costs
• Leads staff development initiatives that include training and development, succession planning and continuous improvement; ensures staff is sufficiently knowledgeable and dynamic regarding performance expectations
• Knowledge of principles and best practices of diversity, equity and inclusion in both workplace and community settings; processes and procedures associated with development and implementation of equity programs
• Helps drive employees to meet goals, navigate through challenges to ensure they are successful while focusing on big-picture goals
• Leads and practices open-door, collaborative approach to managing
• Performs other related duties as assigned

About You

Our ideal candidate will be experienced at leading a diverse team, be comfortable with change and work well in ambiguity. Have experience as a polished communicator, clearly communicating expectations, goals and objectives to a variety of audiences from leadership to staff. Have the ability to give feedback to encourage employees, as well as receive feedback from all levels of staff and leadership.

In addition, our ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Prefer Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Biology, Animal Science, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Political Science or related field
• Experience in, or knowledge of, animal protection including sheltering and animal control functions
• Experience communicating with media as a subject matter expert
• Experience successfully leading field-based and facility-based teams
• Working knowledge of local government functions, public relations and marketing
• Prior experience as an executive director/leader/manager of a nonprofit or person in a position of leadership in a government agency
• Direct fundraising and entrepreneurial experience

We realize that your time is valuable so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Architecture, Planning or related field

Experience: Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management (comparable to at least “Manager” in the City’s internal management classification series)

Education & Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements

License/Certifications: Requires a valid Driver’s License at the time of application. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment

To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

• Cover letter
• Formatted resume

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CE2780 Director Engineering and Science
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type
Unlimited

Position Salary Range
$105,111.00 – $178,689.00

Starting Pay
Based on experience and education

Agency
Dept of Public Health & Environment