The Riverside County Department of Animal Services’ embattled director will be moving to a management position at the county hospital two weeks from today, while a nationwide search gets underway for her replacement.
The county Executive Office confirmed Tuesday that Department of Animal Services Executive Director Erin Gettis will officially step down on Sept. 24 to become executive director for the Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley.
Officials would not disclose whether Gettis was encouraged to take the position due to intensifying criticism of policies she implemented at animal services, which led to the filing of a lawsuit against the county last month.
County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen issued a statement publicly thanking “Erin for her efforts over the last two-and-a-half years.”
In her new role, Gettis will be handling government relations, helping develop strategic plans for the medical center campus, conducting research on grant opportunities and coordinating with the chief operating officer, chief nursing officer and others to improve “patient-centered and customer-based
services,” according to an online description of the job.