It is an exciting time to join this team! Since 1984, Asheville Humane Society's mission has been to ensure every animal has the quality of life they deserve – a life worth living. We are focused on living within our capacity to care, engaging in creative options to help people and their pets stay together, and streamlining the movement of animals to adoption.  In 2022, Asheville Humane cared for 5260 animals through our shelter operations and ~6000 animals through the efforts of our Community Solutions team. We employ 80 people, have a budget of $6M, and are expanding our services and leadership in Asheville and Buncombe County.

The Director of Operations is responsible for directing and improving the operation of the Buncombe County Animal Shelter and the Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center. The Director of Operations oversees the Managers of our Admitting, Animal Care, Behavior, Volunteer, and Adoptions programs. Our Director of Operations is responsible for animal placement and pathways, facilities and maintenance, operations personnel, various contracts, and compliance with NC statutes and AHS procedures and protocols. The Director of Operations cooperates with the Executive Director to oversee the relationship with Buncombe County concerning our Sheltering and Spay/Neuter contracts and our relationships with city and county animal control. 

The Director of Operations reports to the Executive Director. They are an integral part of the AHS Leadership Team, a highly collaborative group that includes the Executive Director and Directors of Development, Community Solutions, Medical, and Finance.  This is a full-time position with an annual salary starting at $87,000. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Oversee the organization’s strategy for comprehensive animal sheltering and animal pathways, including managed intake and community care. 
• Oversee the adoption process and procedures, ensuring high customer service standards.
• Monitors and analyzes industry trends to determine policy and operational changes to ensure best practices.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate the Sr. Manager of Operations, Director of Behavior and Training, Volunteer Manager, Adoptions Manager, and Operations Support Coordinator.
• Model the humane treatment of the animals in our care and excellent customer service with our clients, volunteers, donors, and partners. 
• Partner with other department heads to promote and cultivate relationships with staff, members of the community, and media and to obtain volunteer and donor support.
• Establish, review, and maintain internal controls and procedures for data management, operations, facilities maintenance, and program analysis.
• Prepares and manages facility and operations budgets; oversees contract agreements with suppliers, agencies, and Buncombe County.
• Ensure adherence to all provisions and performance targets/outcomes outlined in the Buncombe County Animal Sheltering and Spay/Neuter Contract.
• Ensure the organization is current on all necessary licensing. 
• Oversee compliance with all NC Department of Agriculture standards.
• Coordinate the maintenance of the buildings, grounds, and equipment. 
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local animal welfare laws.
• Responsible for coordinating certifications and training for euthanasia technicians, certified rabies vaccinators, rabies specimen prep technicians, and Rabies pre-vaccinations.
• Oversee and schedule the euthanasia technician schedule and the on-call schedule.
• Serve as the point of contact for on-call staff, animal services, and emergency vet clinics after hours and on weekends and holidays.
• Authorize emergency stray euthanasia of animals and emergency treatment of animals after hours and on weekends and holidays.
• Serve as the point of contact for veterinary partners to authorize treatment or high-risk waivers.
• Coordinate transport of any animals receiving emergency treatment after hours.
• Assist with the development of employee training programs. Sets forth mandatory training requirements for Animal Care.
• Establish and oversee supply vendor and consultant relationships to manage contract negotiation, ensure maximum value, and resolve concerns promptly and effectively.
• Conduct tours of the Animal Care Campus for government officials, sheltering professionals, donors, officials, and other visitors
• Attend meetings and represents Asheville Humane Society with community partners.
• Attend special events as an ambassador for Asheville Humane Society.

• Strong leadership, management, and program development skills.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in animal sheltering management, ideally in an open admission or municipal facility.
• Must have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of animal welfare, shelter medicine, and herd health practices.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and animal protection issues and commitment to AHS objectives.
• Ability to work independently, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and communication skills.
• Ability to apply proper animal handling skills and knowledge of individual animal temperament. 
• Be a collaborator.
• Willing to attend conferences and training events.
• CAWA certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Must be able to obtain euthanasia and Rabies vaccinator certification within 90 days of employment unless otherwise restricted due to the timing of the certification process.

The Director of Operations works at Asheville Humane Society’s Animal Care Campus and is usually inside. The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday from 9 – 6 p.m. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to engage, in person, with a great variety of people. This position requires working in a high-paced environment for a minimum of 8 hours, where noise levels vary, standing for long periods, and sufficient manual dexterity to use computers, animal handling, and cleaning equipment. It requires the ability to stoop, bend, reach, and lift items weighing 50 pounds to a level of 4 feet high. The employee must be able to drive and have transportation. 

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Asheville Humane Society and the Animal Care campus is a drug/alcohol and smoke-free work environment.