Animal Care Manager

Fluvanna SPCA

Job Description

Position Summary
The Animal Care Manager oversees the daily care and welfare of animals within the shelter, ensuring adherence to established protocols for housing, nutrition, enrichment, sanitation, and behavioral support. This position works collaboratively with the Animal Flow Manager, Veterinarians, Animal Treatment Manager, and Director to provide exceptional animal care while supervising staff, supporting volunteers, and maintaining a safe, healthy shelter environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Animal Care and Welfare
Oversee the daily care of all animals in the shelter, ensuring they receive appropriate medical care, enrichment, and behavioral support.
Collaborate with the Animal Flow Manager, Veterinarian, and Animal Treatment Manager to ensure timely treatment plans and continuity of care.
Assign animal housing according to shelter protocols, considering health, behavior, and population management needs.
Ensure all animal enclosures are cleaned and maintained in accordance with shelter sanitation and infection control protocols.
Monitor and oversee feeding programs for dogs and cats to ensure adequate nutrition, support animal health, and minimize resource waste.
Ensure daily enrichment activities are provided to support the physical and behavioral well-being of animals.
Maintain a working knowledge of ASV Guidelines, Fear Free Shelter principles and updates that occur in animal welfare and then apply these standards to daily operations and decision-making.
Maintain knowledge of common shelter diseases and pathogens and provide guidance to staff and volunteers on disease prevention and population health management.
Behavioral and Pathway Planning
Participate in behavioral assessments, plans and discussions, ensuring behavioral needs and concerns are effectively communicated to relevant staff.
Serve as an active member of the Pathway Planning Team, contributing to placement decisions, individualized behavior and training plans, and behavioral euthanasia evaluations when necessary.
Support efforts to identify and implement positive outcomes for animals requiring specialized placement or intervention.
Staff Leadership and Development
Develop and manage staff schedules to ensure adequate operational coverage.
Supervise, direct, coach, and evaluate assigned staff, including performance management, employee counseling, disciplinary actions, and performance reviews.
Coordinate, assign, and review work; monitor progress; and ensure established standards of quality and efficiency are met.
Collaborate with leadership to develop and deliver staff training and professional development opportunities.
Ensure staff demonstrate competency in infection control practices, animal handling, adoption counseling, and shelter operations.
Foster a positive work environment that encourages professional growth, teamwork, and job satisfaction.
Volunteer Coordination
Work closely with the Animal Flow Manager to provide guidance, training, and supervision for animal care volunteers, including dog walkers, cat socializers, and enrichment program participants.
Ensure volunteers receive accurate information regarding animal needs, handling protocols, and shelter procedures.
Customer Service and Shelter Operations
Serve as Manager on Duty and oversee intake and placement procedures in the absence of the Animal Flow Manager and Director.
Provide exceptional customer service to visitors, adopters, fosters, and callers by explaining shelter policies and procedures in a professional and compassionate manner.
Maintain a basic working knowledge of all animals currently in shelter care to effectively counsel potential adopters and foster caregivers.
Process incoming mail, donations, and other administrative tasks as needed.
Assist with additional shelter operations and special projects as assigned.
Workplace Culture
Ensure compliance with all shelter policies and procedures, as well as applicable laws, regulations, and standards related to animal welfare, workplace safety, and shelter operations.
Promote and maintain a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Maintain a supportive and positive work environment built on teamwork, respect, compassion, and professional growth. Employees are expected to contribute to a culture of collaboration, open communication, and excellence in animal welfare.
Additional Responsibilities
Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and operations of the shelter.