Director of Animal Care

Seattle Humane Society

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Animal Care is an essential role at Seattle Humane. They oversee the Shelter Care, Behavior, Foster, and Lifesaver transfer programs. They are accountable for ensuring the quality of care for all animals at Seattle Humane, both on campus and in foster, as well as the overall performance of each program. This includes meeting budgetary goals, fiscal sustainability, and team efficiencies. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Animal Care works closely together with the Lead Veterinarian, Clinic Director, and Director of Pet Support Services to ensure Seattle Humane reaches animal outcomes quickly allowing us to meet the growing need of pets in our region.

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 Collaborates with all Directors to develop the annual animal intake and outcome targets, prioritizing the following:
o Managing shelter capacity
o Reducing Length of stay
o Exploring outcome options (including adoption, transfer, and euthanasia)
 Directly leads, manages, and develops a team of direct reports including Lifesaver Manager, Shelter Care Manager, Foster Care Manager, and Behavior Manager.
 Promotes a culture of collaboration, innovation, and creativity.
 Key member of the organization’s leadership responsible for developing policy updates and process efficiencies.
o Participates and promotes regular cross-departmental communication and workflows, particularly related to animal welfare.
o Stays up to date on industry best practices and standards.
o Promotes and advocates for the development of team members at all levels of the organization.
 Responsible for collaborating, supporting the creation, reviewing, and evaluating, procedures and protocols.
 Prepares monthly reports and/or other data to ensure goals are being met and compliance with grant reporting as needed.
 Develops and adheres to divisional budget.
o Analyzes monthly Profit and Loss statements for each program.
 Explores and implements expense reduction and new revenue strategies for the division and supports the organization's fiduciary responsibilities to our donors and other funding sources.
 Ensures compliance with safety, health and labor regulations. Supports related inspections and necessary follow-ups.
 Works closely with HR to monitor Seattle Humane policy compliance and employee issues in assigned programs.
 Participates in Collective Bargaining and Union related activities.
o In partnership with counsel and Human Resources, ensures that the collective bargaining agreement's provisions are adhered to.
o Participates in the grievance proceedings and as needed, implements any agreed upon remedies as an outcome to the grievance process.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:
 Assists with volunteer and staff training.
 Participates in daily operations as needed.
 Investigates customer, volunteer, and employee complaints pertaining to division services in a timely and objective manner.
 Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Directly supervises the Lifesaver Manager, Shelter Care Manager, Foster Care Manager, and Behavior Manager. Provides indirect leadership to entire organization including volunteers.

COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT:
 Daily written and/or verbal communication with staff, volunteers, and community members.
 Regular contact with clients in person, over the telephone or through email or direct mail.
 Regular verbal and written contact with other animal welfare agencies.
 Regular verbal and written contact with administrative staff.

COMPLEXITY:
A high degree of independent judgment is required. Must be able to source, cultivate, and analyze data to inform and support decision-making. The position is accountable for developing, implementing, and supporting strategies to achieve organizational goals. Must be able to coordinate staff and volunteers and remain focused on the agency's objectives. A strong attention to detail and the ability to respond to unexpected questions, comments or requests from other divisions or the public is required. The ability to motivate, collaborate and mediate is important when handling various personalities and emotions.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING:
 Required:
o Must have at least 3 years of shelter management experience.
o Must have excellent oral communication skills.
o Must be able to write clearly and listen effectively.
o Must be able to work in a collaborative environment with diverse opinions and experiences.
o Must be able to provide and receive direct feedback regularly.
o Must possess the organizational and planning skills to determine work priorities and schedules.
o Must be able to analyze problems, create and collaborate on appropriate solutions, and understand statistical information.
o Intermediate level knowledge needed of Word and Excel. Must be familiar with Windows environment, internet use and e-mail. Experience with PetPoint and data entry is helpful.
 Preferred:
o CAWA (Certified Animal Welfare Administrator)
o Certifications relating to animal behavior from accredited institutions.
o Bilingual

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:
 Required:
o Valid Washington State driver's license with good driving record.
 Preferred:
o EBI certification (can be obtained on the job)
o First Aid/CPR/Mental Health first aid (can be obtained on the job)
o Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional or related experience

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Requires the ability to solve problems and make clear decisions, sometimes quickly. Must be able to collaborate, organize and manage multiple and complex projects. Requires the ability to pay attention to detail while focusing on strategic goals and objectives. Must possess the ability to be sensitive to other opinions, perspectives, or cultures. Must be able to offer excellent customer service (internal and external). Must feel comfortable in dealing with angry, confused, distraught and/or irrational people. Must feel comfortable handling aggressive or fractious animals. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds with or without accommodation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
General office and animal shelter environment. When handling animals, there is potential for animal bites, exposure to zoonotic diseases, animal dander and noise.
o Equipment Use: Office equipment, shelter equipment, and all SH vehicles, including recreational vehicles.
o Work Hours: Salaried full-time exempt position. 40 hours per week schedule. The schedule may vary depending on coverage by other department staff, holidays, or emergencies. Must be available evening and/or weekend hours, as well as for emergency calls and alarm responses.

This is a full time job