Assistant Director of Animal Care
McKamey Animal Center
Job Description
McKamey Aninmal Center, located in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee, is looking to hire an Assistant Director of Animal Care. This position will work closely with the Director of Animal Care in the overall management of McKamey Animal Center’s animal population, from intake through in-shelter care to final outcome. Employing industry best practices and innovative policies and procedures, the Assistant Director of Animal Care will help ensure that MAC operates within its humane capacity, provides the 5 Freedoms to each and every animal daily, and maximizes lifesaving to the greatest extent possible.
To apply, please send resume to ifricke@mckameyanimalcenter.org.
SALARY AND SCHEDULE
• Rate: $45,000 -$55,000
• Classification: Exempt, full time, evening and weekend hours likely
• Benefits: Paid vacation, holidays, retirement, medical/dental/vision insurance, more
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Animal Care to ensure that shelter intake, animal care, assessment, behavior, enrichment and placement protocols are in compliance with industry best practices, including those set forth in Million Cat Challenge, ASV Guidelines for Standards of and Adopters Welcome.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and protocols designed to ensure that the shelter’s humane capacity for care is not exceeded and that length of stay is shortened.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve the physical, mental and emotional well- being of the animals in shelter care.
• Develop and implement staff training and continuing education protocols.
• Ensure the flow of animals through the shelter is optimized without compromising the highest quality standards of care and handling.
• Support all other in-house animal care programs, identifying and implementing all available humane options for moving animals to lifesaving outcomes.
• Serve in place of the Director of Animal Care when they are off duty or unavailable.
• Supervise staff working on Animal Care, Placements and Behavior teams.
• When no lifesaving alternatives are available, ensure that euthanasia is performed lawfully and according to the highest humane standards.
• Actively promote a healthy, compassionate and professional culture among staff.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal and contractual obligations, including OSHA safety standards.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
Job Qualifications and Skills
• Demonstrated familiarity with current industry best practices and shelter performance metrics and ability to translate those into shelter policies and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to relate and confer with staff and the general public and ability to successfully mentor, train and supervise staff.
• Strong supervisory skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and decision making when dealing with staff and the public.
• Proven organizational skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Strong humane animal handling skills, knowledge of animal behavior and animal medicine and ability to recognize signs of animal stress and distress.
• Ability to operate all equipment, tools, technology, vehicles and other materials relevant to job duties.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be at least 21 years of age (required for insurance purposes), have a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
This is a full time job
Contact Information
Job Contact Details
Closing Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Posting Date:
Closing Date:
