MANAGER ANIMAL SERVICES EMRU

Job ID: 62590
Job Category: Audit, Compliance & Inspections
Division & Section: Municipal Licensing & Standards, MLS Toronto Animal Services
Work Location: Flexible, options for base location include: 821 Progress Avenue, 1300 Sheppard Avenue West, 146 The East Mall
Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
Salary Range: $123,833.00 - $170,184.00
Hiring Zone: $132,676.00 - $143,848.00
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: 04-Mar-2026 to 18-Mar-2026

Reporting to the Director Animal Services, the Manager Animal Services EMRU is responsible for providing leadership in the effective efficient, economical and essential service delivery of the Municipal Licensing and Standards, Animal Services, Enforcement and Mobile Response Unit, including the oversight of a team of Animal Control Officers operating on a 19 hour/day, 7 day/week rotational schedule. To respond to all emergency response calls including animal bites against humans, dangerous and at-large dogs, wildlife incidents, and manage appropriate responses to sick, injured and deceased animals. As a dynamic leader, the Manager is responsible for promoting the mission, vision and values of the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division and the Toronto Public Service.

What will you do?

• Develop and implement detailed plans and recommend policies regarding program specific requirements.
• Manage and monitor all aspects of the Mobile Response and Animal Cadaver Removal (e.g., administration, emergency response, investigations) and team with the support of the Supervisors.  Authorize and control vacation and overtime requests. Monitor and evaluate staff performance, approves salary increments and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Manage, motivate and train the unit’s staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others. 
• Develop, recommend and administer the annual budget for the unit, and ensure that the unit’s expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Lead the development and implementation of the strategic and operational direction of the Mobile Response Unit and Animal Cadaver Removal Team within Animal Services, by establishing short-term and long-term objectives and operational policies that support the Division's strategic directions, priorities and program initiatives.
• Support staff in the execution of their duties by providing subject matter expertise and assisting with complex and/or sensitive service requests.
• Oversee the appropriate enforcement responses to investigations, including directing and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of provincial court matters.
• Oversee the appropriate execution of search warrants, including reviewing and approving the circumstances and application for seizure of animals from private property. Ensure the necessary precautions and policies and procedures are followed to mitigate both public and employee safety concerns and City liability.
• Respond to complaints, matters of a sensitive nature, and attend community-based meetings as needed or requested by senior staff to address emerging issues relevant to the mandate.
• Develop and foster relationships within the community, and with other agencies, to advance educational and compliance-based approach to issue resolution.
• Support a customer service focused approach to by-law enforcement, notably including the appropriate victim management in incidents of dog bites and addressing community nuisance issues.
• Represent the City as a spokesperson for the media in respect to animal related incidents and responses, particularly those impacting public safety such as wildlife encounters with the public and animal attacks on people and other animals.
• Ensure effective handling and resolution of issues or problems identified by elected officials, external agencies, other city divisions and the public. Provide guidance and direction regarding issues management where there are implications for other City services, intergovernmental liaison and political sensitivity.
• Provide and support the Director in developing direction to city-wide Animal Services program planning and development. Establishes program specific vision, mission and guiding principles in alignment with the directives of the Board of Health and the City of Toronto.
• Develop and support policies and procedures that ensure programs and services implemented in the community are delivered in a professional manner and protect the City from potential liability.
• Hold responsibility for program compliance with legislation, municipal by-laws and City Council directives. Ensure field operations are in compliance with all current legislation and enforcement officers are qualified and trained
• Monitor program performance and makes adjustments necessary to ensure performance targets and legislative requirements are met.
• Negotiate service contracts and performance targets with service providers, and prepares business cases and procurement requests in accordance with corporate requirements.
• Assist in development of Animal Service's multi-year strategic and operating plans that are innovative and evidence based, maximize service delivery efficiencies, respond to community needs and integrate access and equity principles.
• Identify emerging issues and priorities in the external environment that could impact on community need and/or service pressures and develops strategies and recommendations to determine interventions and improve response. Ensure service planning is based on supported research, evidence and best practices and includes community input where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain within the district appropriate communication, consultation and/or partnership strategies to ensure effective working relationships with community agencies, non-governmental organizations and stakeholders.

What do you bring to the role?

1. Post-secondary education in law, law enforcement, public administration, business or animal services management or related fields pertinent to the job function, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Considerable experience, education and training related to animal welfare and care of both domestic and wild animals.
3. Extensive experience in issues management, assessing, reviewing and resolving customer complaints and issues with an ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive issues.
4. Considerable experience in regulatory and/or enforcement programming, including development of investigative strategies and conducting investigations of a complex/sensitive nature.
5. Considerable experience working and liaising within the court and judicial systems, including the ability to navigate complex legal procedures and the interpretation and application of municipal, provincial and/or federal statutes.
6. Possession of and the ability to maintain a valid Province of Ontario, Class “G” Driver's License and ability to obtain a City Operators Permit for assigned vehicle(s) and equipment.
7. Experience with financial reporting processes, including budget control, forecasting and interpreting financial reports.
8. Ability to make critical and strategic decisions, demonstrating innovation and results oriented leadership, fiscal accountability and strong customer service orientation.
9. Highly developed management skills with extensive experience in leading, coaching and motivating staff teams.
10. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to creatively problem solve and build effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders including various political levels, communities, advocates, staff and media.
11. Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with all levels of the judiciary, elected officials, staff, public, and external agencies.
12. Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently with shifting priorities and firm deadlines.
13. Strong administrative and human resources management skills, preferably in a unionized setting, and ability to incorporate risk management concepts into business processes.
14. Familiarity with relevant employment legislation including Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act and WHIMS, etc.
15. Ability to work rotating shifts (day, afternoon, night, weekend and holidays) standby as required, or travel across Toronto as required.
16. Must be immunized against rabies and have a rabies titre taken every two years to determine immunity level and, if needed, receive booster vaccinations against rabies.

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City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.