Shelter Operations Director

The Shelter Operations Director role is an exciting opportunity to serve as a guiding force behind East Bay SPCA’s incredible team of animal welfare professionals while making a true difference in the lives of countless animals and their people. This position will help East Bay SPCA continue to be a thought leader in the field of animal sheltering and will be critical in growing the capacity of our shelter programs.

The Shelter Operations Director reports to the Vice President of Operations and is directly responsible for ensuring the effective operations of the organization’s Animal Sheltering programs including: Animal Care, Customer Care, Shelter Medicine, Foster, and Animal Transfers. This position plays a key role in strategy development, process improvement, and operational leadership. The role involves monitoring program effectiveness and making data-driven decisions to enhance operations.

East Bay SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. EBSPCA is one of the nation’s oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about EBSPCA on our website at www.eastbayspca.org.

Category: Full-time; Exempt
Location: Oakland and Dublin, as needed
Reports to: Vice President of Operations
Benefits: East Bay SPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and future of our employees. Medical and dental benefits are fully covered, along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off, starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as the Pets at Work Program, waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care, behavior and training classes, up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.          

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices at both shelter sites to maintain and improve the standards of client and shelter animal care
• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices to expand adoption methods and numbers including, but not limited to, evaluating off-site adoption opportunities and foster-to-adopt programming
• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices to facilitate stray animal intake and reunification/redemption efforts
• Upholds East Bay SPCA’s belief in supporting clients and the community by providing accessible, inclusive services and resources. Works creatively with the community to facilitate owner surrender, shelter diversion, and out-of-shelter rehoming options
• Uses a change management approach to prepare staff and programs for a shifting shelter animal demographic and intake type
• Builds and maintains a network of rescue and shelter partners to facilitate appropriate adoption alternative placements
• Maintains a working knowledge of developments and trends in animal welfare and sheltering and manages change to ensure industry best practices are being met
• Oversees the transfer and intake of cats and dogs at both facilities
• Participates in the evaluation of animals for adoption, rescue, or other outcomes
• Performs animal euthanasia when required and oversees the maintenance of euthanasia records
• Models efficient and appropriate interaction with clients, promoting good public relations
• Actively encourages volunteer participation; collaborates with the Volunteer Services Manager to engage volunteers at the shelters in appropriate ways that further the mission of East Bay SPCA
• Collaborates daily with Shelter Medicine and Behavior & Training departments to ensure efficient pathway planning and animal flow, providing oversite of the inventory of shelter animals.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with other departments including Marketing & Communications, Philanthropy, Volunteer Services, and Behavior & Training to promote teamwork, communication, and to achieve organizational goals
• May be required to transfer animals between all East Bay SPCA campuses and offsite locations (fleet vehicle provided or mileage reimbursement if using personal vehicle)
• Serves as a representative of East Bay SPCA leadership to clients and, in partnership with managerial staff, resolves customer concerns.
• Leads collaborations for Operations teams with Philanthropy/Marketing departments and participates in events for fundraising, community outreach, and adoptions.

Staff Management

• Serves as a mentor and compassionate leader for all direct and indirect reports
• Fosters teamwork, creativity and innovation to meet East Bay SPCA goals
• Assures that staff members provide high quality customer service at all times and have the training and resources to do so
• Assists in facilitating ongoing professional development for all shelter operations staff
• Responsible for staff selection, on-boarding, training, and performance management, including timely performance evaluations, coaching, feedback, and discipline for all shelter operations staff at both shelter sites
• Oversees scheduling to ensure that both shelters are staffed appropriately to meet client and animal care needs
• Communicates pertinent information to all shelter staff in a timely and effective manner, including but not limited to, regular meetings
• Reviews and approves staff payroll, paid time off requests, and requests for continuing education and training in compliance with East Bay SPCA policies
• Responds in a timely and appropriate manner to staff and volunteer needs and requests
• Ensures adherence by shelter staff to East Bay SPCA policies and procedures

Administrative

• Maintains official records and data related to shelter operations; oversees record keeping and reporting in accordance with agency policy, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; prepares data reports quarterly or as needed by the organization. Identifies trends in data and helps teammates develop plans and strategies to respond efficiently and effectively. 
• Works with representatives of animal welfare organizations, partners, and government agencies, to develop and implement collaborative programs and services to meet community needs and achieve East Bay SPCA’s mission and goals.
• Oversees contracts with municipal animal control agencies
• Works with department managers to oversee ordering and inventory of medications and supplies for both shelters 
• Assures the safety of the workplace and actively monitors safety for staff, volunteers, clients, and animals 
• Under the direction of the Vice President of Operations and in collaboration with department managers, prepares annual budgets for entire shelter operations; monitors actual expenses monthly to avoid or mitigate negative variances
• Collaborates with Philanthropy department on fundraising initiatives and grant procurement and reporting
• Reviews and approves invoices for payment of shelter-related expenses
• Documents, reports, and reviews any accidents or incidents in a proper and timely manner
• Responds to electronic and telephone messages in a timely and appropriate manner
• Shares in opening and closing responsibilities at both shelter facilities

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of management experience in animal welfare, including budgetary and staff supervision
• Experience working in an open admission non-profit or municipal animal shelter required
• Able to lead and motivate groups and individuals. Able to think creatively and strategically to successfully mediate and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. Able to effectively manage a large staff, multiple projects with deadlines, and budget constraints.
• Proven organizational skills and effective written and verbal communication
• Must prioritize teamwork and be able to serve as a leader to staff in the areas of high morale, excellent customer service, and quality program delivery.
• Ability to think critically, multi-task, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, environment with a positive attitude
• Ability to obtain Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit and California Certified Euthanasia Technician within six months of employment
• Confident and competent animal handler with dogs and cats of all sizes, conditions, and temperaments. Must be able to leash, walk, and maintain control over large and extra-large dogs, which can include dogs 90 pounds and over
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with Shelter Buddy shelter software program is a plus
• Pre-employment background and drug screening required; we do not screen for cannabis use
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA driver’s license, and proof of insurability required. Travel with both personal and company vehicles is required.

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to detergents, cleaning products, wet and humid environments, and seasonal outdoor conditions
• Must be available to work when and where needed by the organization. Must be willing to work occasional irregular hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Animal contacts and related injuries, including bites and scratches may occur. Will occasionally handle sick, injured, and deceased animals
• Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations
• Animal waste contact, smells, and visual exposure are prevalent
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds on a frequent basis and occasionally lift up to 75 pounds with assistance. Must be able to push and/or pull over 50 pounds occasionally
• Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and stooping.