Administrator, Animal and Rabies Control (Bureau of Administration) – Shakman Exempt

OVERVIEW

Cook County Bureau of Administration is seeking an experienced Administrator, Animal and Rabies Control, responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing animal control programs with a primary focus on rabies prevention and control. The role ensures compliance with Cook County Ordinance, Chapter 10, as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws related to animal control, registration, and investigations. Additional responsibilities include providing expertise on animal behavior, bite incidents, examination procedures, and disease prevention. The position also reviews departmental programs promoting responsible pet ownership and conducts seminars and outreach on these topics.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SALARY RANGE: $165,510 – $202,290 / YEARLY

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
• 2nd largest county in America
• Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
• Nearly 80% unionized workforce
• 15 unions represented
• 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Job Summary

Develop, implement, and oversee programs related to animal control, with a focus on rabies prevention and control. Ensures Cook County Ordinance, Chapter 10 and other applicable federal, state, and local laws related to animal control, registration and investigations of animals and related incidents are followed. Provides expertise on topics such as animal behavior, bites, examination procedures, diseases and laws regarding animals. Responsible for reviewing departmental and county programs regarding responsible pet ownership and giving seminars relating to these subjects.

Typical Job Duties

• Leads the evaluation of animal control programs, ensuring effective operations and compliance with policies.
• Leads, mentors, and motivates a team by fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment and ensuring team members are trained in best practices for animal control and rabies prevention.
• Provides ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to ensure high levels of employee engagement, competency, and retention.
• Responds to inquiries from staff, veterinarians, and the general public on issues related to animals, including bites, examination procedures, diseases and legal matters.
• Acts as subject matter expert on animal legislation, advising senior leadership on related matters, ensuring recommendations align applicable laws.
• Ensures adherence to federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding animal control and rabies prevention, including full compliance with Cook County Ordinance, Chapter 10.
• Stays updated on changes to animal welfare laws, rabies control procedures, and relevant public health guidelines, integrating any changes with applicable ordinance.
• Reviews and monitors annual bite cases and animal pickups. Tracks and reports rabies-related incidents, particularly in raccoons, through reviewing public health releases and communication with public health official.
• Organizes and leads seminars and creates educational materials, such as newsletters to raise public awareness about the prevention of rabies, responsible pet ownership, and understanding of the interaction between humans and animals in urban communities.

Required for all jobs

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and
• Five (5) years of zoological, animal control, rabies prevention, veterinary medicine or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of zoological, animal control, rabies prevention, or veterinary medicine experience.
• Six (6) years of previous supervisory or managerial work experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of veterinarian medicine, including animal health and welfare.
• Knowledge of the federal, state, and local laws concerning animals, Cook County Ordinance, Chapter 10, and environmental regulations.
• Proficient in verbal and written communication, including gathering information, making inquiries, and explaining policies. Skilled at addressing public inquiries and maintaining confidentiality in a customer-facing role.
• Knowledge of and ability to collaborate with state and local veterinary associations and other professional entities to enhance service delivery.
• Ability to set the overall direction and short- and long-term strategic goals for the department. Ability to identify key business drivers and support programs, processes, tools, and/or designs for a job function.
• Ability to communicate the strategic vision, foster team commitment and establish buy-in to enhance department performance.
• Ability to establish plans and objectives within a discipline, make final decisions on administrative, employee or operational matters and effectively achieve objectives.

Physical Requirements:

Light Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job/occupation is rated Light Work when it requires: (1) walking or standing to a significant degree; (2) sitting most of the time while pushing or pulling arm or leg controls; or (3) working at a production rate pace while constantly pushing or pulling materials even though the weight of the materials is negligible.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.