Are you compassionate about animals and have a desire to speak for those who cannot? For over 110 years, the Dumb Friends League has been working to end pet homelessness and animal suffering by providing a strong and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. If you work well with people too, join our team and help us provide that voice.

Purpose of Position: Directly lead, develop, oversee and evaluate the League's Pet Admissions department. Create and innovate best practices and together with the team develop the future state of the pet admissions department at the Malone Center.

Responsibilities

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

• Ensure the highest level of people care is delivered to League patrons, staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and vendors. Assist with escalated patron issues.
• Lead, direct, and support the Pet Admissions processes to ensure the highest level of care is delivered to the League's sheltered animals.
• Develop, train, and schedule Pet Admissions workflow to ensure productivity, and efficient use of resources for animals coming into or leaving the League’s care.
• Handle animals of varying species, size, and temperament daily in a caring, safe, and respectful manner. Train and oversee appropriate staff animal handling.
• Oversee the League’s Pet Assist program, providing temporary housing for owned pets.
• Adhere to and enforce all League safety, training, handling, and transportation protocols in order to ensure that the shelter environment is safe for animals, the public, volunteers and other employees. Wear required personal protective clothing, identification and safety equipment as defined by League policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with League team members to balance competing priorities, create organizational alignment, support strategic planning, execute upon organizational initiatives, and ensure alignment with core values, vision and mission. Participate in inter-departmental meetings and discussions to support and develop League initiatives.
• Design, develop and implement department standards and systems for accomplishing work. Develop SOPs and ensure they are updated, followed, and communicated with staff and volunteers.
• Monitor and evaluate program and process effectiveness, including statistical analysis, report creation, and implement improvements. Develop and fulfill realistic and ambitious departmental objectives and plans.
• Inform and monitor the departmental budgets. Manage utilization of department resources to maximize value, control expenses, and minimize waste.
• Manage daily operations by providing leadership and development to the staff. Provide clear direction and priorities. Ensure that roles and responsibilities are understood and carried out.
• Motivate and mobilize staff to act. Remove obstacles, coordinate work efforts when necessary and empower staff members within department. Manage and ensure the proper utilization and integration of department volunteers.
• Represent the organization internally and externally with integrity, serving as an ambassador of the League’s mission and brand. Manage external partnerships and vendors to provide services as needed.
• Oversee daily financial transactions.
• Manage and develop an effective staff: providing effective communication, leadership, guidance and resources. Determine staff qualifications and competency: recruit, interview, hire, train, mentor, evaluate, coach, and manage performance.
• Establishes and monitors staff safety and regulatory compliance.
• Perform euthanasia and related tasks.
• Perform shelter opening and closing duties as needed.

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and League business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources.

Organizational Key Competencies

• Integrity and Ethics
• Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
• Customer and Community Focus
• Emotional Intelligence
• Excellence

Leadership Key Competencies

• Project and Process Management
• Delivering Results
• Developing Direct Reports
• Building and Leading Effective Teams

Position Key Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Community Partnerships
• Conflict Management
• Financial Acumen
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Innovation
• People Development
• Project Management
• Strategic Thinking

Full Time Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

• Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
• Flexible spending accounts
• League-paid Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Sick Time
• Sabbatical
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k)
• And more!

Compensation: $62,300 - $67,000 annually (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Performs work primarily in an office setting. Potentially prolonged periods of sitting and repetitive motion. May work in an area with high noise level. Potentially subject to animal bites and scratches. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Physical efforts may require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Occasional lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation. May travel by League vehicle to other shelters across the state and/or outside the state. Will be required to work evenings, weekends and/or holidays as business operations demand.

We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and anticipate closing the application period on November 21, 2024. 

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent
• Experience:  Five years of related work experience including leading the work of others and progressively complex project or program leadership responsibilities. Three years’ experience providing customer service.
• Licensure / Certification / Special Training: None

Desired

• Experience with social welfare, social work, counseling, or other human-service experience a plus
• General knowledge of animal welfare field
• Bilingual speaking English and Spanish