The Animal Care Shelter Manager is responsible for care and enrichment of the animals at the Louisiana SPCA’s Mardi Gras Campus as well as the execution of program strategies designed to reduce animals’ length of stay and increase the organizations live release rate. Areas of responsibility include leading the Animal Care and Programs teams. This position is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement these programs. 

The Animal Care Shelter Manager reports into the Director of Animal Services and collaborates with teams throughout the organization to deliver the highest quality of care and ensuring consistent flow-through of shelter animals trough foster, rescue and transport programs.

Requirements

Demonstrating compassion towards people and pets, the Animal Care Shelter Manager will:

• Build strong relationships with internal and external customers and maintain the highest level of customer engagement. 
• Value others’ input and skills and involve them in critical thinking and decision making. 
• Ensures quality services and experiences are provided to shelter clients, visitors, staff, and volunteers. 
• Monitors the general and behavioral health of animals in our care and collaborates with medical team to ensure appropriate actions towards resolution. 

As an adaptable individual, the Animal Care Shelter Manager:

• Analyzes data to evaluate programs and propose changes to existing programs to meet departmental and organizational goals. Development of departmental goals focuses on actively reducing length of stay of shelter animals and increasing the live release rate.  
• Regularly evaluates and improves animal care and flow processes and revises SOPs as needed to ensure up to date training and reference resources for staff. 

As a creative problem solver, the Animal Care Manager:

• Develops and maintains strong relationships with local, regional and national shelter and rescue partners.  
• Manages the animal population through pathway planning and data analytics ensuring animals length of stay within the shelter remains at or below target goal.  
• Develop and implement strategies to meet short and long-term goals. 
• Works with Marketing & Communications on promotions, featured animals, and other social media posts. 
• Work to anticipate and resolve conflict & promote open communication between volunteers, staff, and patrons. Solicit employee input regarding their work and workplace.? 
• Collaborate with the finance and operations team to ensure proper inventory controls for purchasing, storage and tracking of supplies and equipment.
• Participates in strategic planning and plays and contributes towards big picture organizational goals. 

Demonstrating humble confidence, the Animal Care Shelter Manager:

• Aids, supports and trains internal staff and volunteers on shelter programs to effectively and efficiently deliver the highest quality of care.
• Manages the animal and volunteer databases in collaboration with internal and external contributors to optimize volunteer and partner engagement, minimize length of stay and increase live release rate. 
• Work with a team of managers and directors to implement best practices and evaluate areas for growth through open discussion of concerns and feedback.? 

Demonstrating emotional intelligence, the Animal Care Shelter Manager:

• Continually assesses, responds and manages interactions and engagement with community and partner agencies to increase awareness of organizations programs and maximize placement potential of shelter animals. 
• Creates a culture that actively engages staff and volunteers and connects them through their work to the mission. 
• Possessing a collaborative mindset, incumbent regularly works with others to produce innovative solutions to maximize efficiency and positive client experience; Remains calm under stress and handles several problems or tasks at once.
• Excellent communication skills are essential in order to build and sustain positive relationships with rescue groups, volunteer trappers and community members.
• Skilled at performance management and employee development, this individual helps direct reports to consistently manage their employees’ performance. Important skill sets include providing constructive feedback, goal setting and developing training plans.
• Promotes and supports the LA/SPCA’s programs and mission.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all situations.
• Obtain certification to perform humane euthanasia, and train staff responsible for performing humane euthanasia based on best practices.

Focusing on equity and inclusion, the Animal Care Manager:

• Will contribute to the development and implementation of off-site events and other programs that reach all members of our community.  
• Treats all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance and promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals. 
• Performs all other duties as necessary and required. 

Requirements Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required. 
• Experience working in animal shelters and with placement programs 
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience 

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge:

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment substance screening. 
• Must have 3 years of demonstrated supervisory knowledge including: hiring and recruitment of key positions, development and delivery of training, and employee engagement and motivation.  
• Skilled in mediating disputes, conflicts, and grievances 
• Must have (or be able to obtain) a valid State of Louisiana driver’s license. 
• Highly competent in Microsoft Office especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint 
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects through robust project management and work plans. 
• Expected to work extended hours as needed as this position is part of the core team in Storm & Emergency Response situations. This requires the ability to work weekends and maintain a 24 hr. on call status. 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds; push and pull heavy objects; bend, twist, reach; perform strenuous physical activities including frequent walking and running, standing, bending, and stooping.
• Should not be allergic to animals or nuts; must be able to work around all animals and nut products. 
• Must be able to work with industrial strength cleaners and disinfectants. 

Working Conditions:

• Works in an area with a high noise level.
• Potentially subject to animal bites and scratches.

Compensation:

• $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 annually based on experience

Benefits include but not limited to:

• Health Insurance, Life Insurance, 401K match 
• PTO and paid holidays 
• Qualification and assistance for Public Service Loan Forgiveness 
• Discount on Veterinary Services and Hill’s Science Diet Pro Feeding Program