Shelter Manager

Job Overview

The Shelter Manager will work with the Assistant Shelter Manager to oversee the shelter staff and volunteers to ensure that the daily care needs of animals at the shelter are met. The Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily interactions with the public, including adoptions, surrenders, and euthanasia counseling while upholding the greatest level of respectful and positive customer care. The Manager also helps ready animals for adoption by assisting the Director of Behavior in the development and implementation of animal behavior plans and facilitating medical care for animals in conjunction with the veterinary team. The manager will guide staff to operate within the parameters of our intake and adoption philosophy. The Manager will also work alongside the animal relocation manager to coordinate the incoming transfer of animals to the shelter.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise activities of the shelter operation including but not limited to the creation of the staff schedule, timesheet approvals, shelter population management, and delegation of daily tasks both for animal husbandry and client needs.
  • Lead daily activities including animal husbandry, adoptions, behavior evaluations, enrichment, surrenders, and euthanasia.
  • Ensure proper care and attention is provided to all animals in the shelter’s custody in accordance with NEAS’ policies and procedures.
  • Lead group discussions on plans for individual animals. Guide staff through the discussion of animals for adoption, euthanasia, or return to owner situations.
  • In conjunction with the volunteer coordinator, work to foster a positive and supportive culture aimed at the inclusion, development and integration of volunteers into our collective goals.
  • Identify animals in need of foster and assist the foster care coordinator in ensuring the success of animals in foster care and the growth of the foster care program.
  • In conjunction with the behavior team and staff, establish and execute behavior and enrichment plans to ensure the well-being of animals at the adoption center.
  • Strengthen and build relationships in the community to help benefit the largest number of animals.
  • Occasional travel required to attend regularly scheduled, fundraising, outreach and adoption center events. Travel may also be required to transport animals as part of NEAS’ relocation program.
  • Assist in the hiring of new staff which includes reviewing applications, interviewing applicants, hiring, onboarding and training of new staff.
  • Assist with the control of the budget for the department, to stay within the department’s financial boundaries.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum of 2 years of management/supervisor experience, preferably in non-profit work.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience working in animal shelter, veterinary services or equivalent social services field

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
  • Able to bend, stretch, lift, crouch, stand for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time; 67% – 100% of scheduled workday.
  • Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time 67%-100% of scheduled workday.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.

Emotional and Mental Requirements

  • Perform well under stress. Level-headed under pressure and can help reduce stress in staff when challenges arise.
  • Able to stay focused in a busy multi-task environment.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive and difficult issues in a confidential manner.
  • Able to maintain focus and composure when exposed to emotionally taxing scenarios like abuse/neglect.
  • Open minded, receptive to a wide variety of viewpoints, information and ideas.

Required Skills and Attributes

  • A leader of change with the ability to encourage, develop and support the team through those changes.
  • Ability to manage challenging client situations.
  • Ability to work well and communicate effectively with the public on animal welfare topics.
  • Ability to run successful group meetings.
  • Expert communicator with staff, volunteers and clients.
  • Comfortable making challenging decisions and communicating the reasons behind those decisions.
  • Demonstrated planning and organizational skills.
  • Strong commitment to animal protection.
  • Ability to initiate and lead projects, create strategies and follow through with minimal supervision.
  • Good working knowledge of modern animal welfare topics and strategies.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license with a safe driving history.

Equipment

  • Must be able to drive the shelter vehicles.
  • Knowledge and understanding of animal handling equipment (catch poles, needles, muzzles, harnesses, leashes, etc.)
  • Knowledge MS Word, Excel, MS Outlook and other software as needed (training will be provided for proprietary software.)
  • Additional NEAS databases – Chameleon, Cognito, Acuity

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift
  • Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Face masks must be worn at all times onsite.

Application Question(s):

  • Please submit a cover letter along with your resume detailing your experience.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s (Required)

Experience:

  • management/supervisor: 2 years (Required)
  • animal shelter, veterinary services or related: 2 years (Required)
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