Animal Shelter Director

Shelter Director

The Shelter Director (SD) oversees all daily operations of Lafayette County Humane Society including creation and maintenance of policies, protocol, and procedures relating to each aspect of the shelter. The SD plans both short- and long-term goals and programs while maintaining an awareness of goals and programs implemented by other animal welfare organizations. The SD must work collaboratively to maintain current operational systems while remaining flexible and recognizing opportunities for growth and improvements. The SD serves as chief spokesperson and promotes the organization to ensure a broad base of funding resources. The SD reports to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated supervisory knowledge including principles and techniques of effective supervision, decision-making techniques, relevant labor issues and skill in mediating disputes, conflicts and grievances. Ability to establish and maintain a respected leadership role, effectively delegate authority while retaining control, and promote interdepartmental cooperation.
• Program management knowledge to include knowledge of business management practice, basic statistical methods, contract negotiations and writing techniques. Skill in strategic planning.
• Budgeting and financial knowledge to include fiscal and budgetary practices and basic accounting procedures.
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills to include the ability to supervise staff, establishing and maintaining relationships with patrons, foundations and local businesses and building alliances with community organizations and agencies.
• Previous experience in either Veterinary or Shelter setting preferred but not required.

Administrative/Bookkeeping

• Attends all monthly board meetings; prepares operational reports and develops materials concerning short- and long-range planning of shelter needs, programs, and daily operations to Board of Directors (BOD).
• Supervises maintenance of shelter records; develops forms, protocol, policies, and record-keeping procedures as needed.
• Maintains Excel spreadsheets including, but not limited to: Mailing List, Donor (Adoptions, In-Kind, $1-$99, and $100-$100,000), Tribute Gifts (In Honor of People, In Memory of People, In Honor of Pets, In Memory of Pets), etc.
• Compiles monthly reports for the Board of Supervisors including but not limited to Animal Intake, Adoptions, Euthanasias, Return to Owner, Transfers and Vicious Animal Report.

Financial

• Oversees operating budget; completes daily reconciliation and bank deposits. Submits all reconciliations with completed bank deposit slips at the end of each month to the Accountant.
• Maintains inventory and purchase of shelter and animal-care supplies and equipment; evaluates needs, cost, and effectiveness for new products and equipment.
• Supervises building maintenance.
• Facilitates Executive Board with annual budget planning.
• Represents the BOD during negotiations with the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors about terms of the County Contract. Represents the BOD in negotiations with any organization wishing to contract or enter agreement with LCHS.

Staff and Volunteer Management

• Manages hourly staff: oversees hiring, training, performance evaluation, promotion, scheduling, discipline and dismissal; creates monthly work schedule; conducts monthly staff meetings; prepares bi-weekly payroll.
• Oversees interns, oversees recruitment, manages schedule, provides evaluation.
• Recruits, directs, and supervises volunteers in their responsibilities and provides ongoing support and evaluation. Develops an effective volunteer structure to encourage active teams of volunteers to accomplish specific goals and objectives; monitors teams to ensure effectiveness.
• Coordinates and oversees volunteer programs including, but not limited to: group volunteer days (Sorority/Fraternity, Church Youth Groups, Sports Teams, School Field Trips, Special Needs,) etc.

Animal Care Management

• Oversees surrender, medical and behavioral assessment, grooming, on-site medical care, off-site veterinary care, euthanasia.
• Oversees animal placement: supervises onsite and offsite adoptions, foster program; oversees transfers to approved rescue groups and destination shelters.
• Ensures that shelter software is kept current and that all adoptable animals are listed and pictured.
• Performs daily walk-through of entire shelter: ensures all animals are properly kenneled and all cleaning/disinfection procedures are followed; ensures all security procedures are followed (money and drugs are secured, all exterior building doors are locked).

Community Involvement and Event Planning

• Oversees community assistance programs: i.e. Pet Food Assistance Program.
• Coordinates and supervises community spay/neuter days.
• Develops and assists in supervising and setting policies for new programs as directed by the Board.

Public Relations

• Acts as organization spokesperson and maintains a professional appearance and attitude to the public, BOD and County Supervisors.
• Represents organization at community events. Establishes positive relationships with community leaders and serves on local committees.
• Attends meetings and promotional events with other non-profit charity groups and works on joint projects.
• Oversees regular posting of adoptable animals as well as public information and events on all Social Media platforms.
• Prepares and promotes press releases, public service announcements, and all publicity for special events to ensure favorable media coverage, as well as media releases announcing special needs of facility and donor opportunities.
• Ensures all donations and memorials are acknowledged in a timely fashion individually (thank you notes) or publicly if necessary.
• Responds to donor requests and concerns.

Program Awareness

• Maintains awareness of programs being developed in other shelters and their success or failure; recommends program development to the BOD (this requires reading of shelter publications, non-profit publications, books on various topics, websites, and the publications put out by the HSUS, ASPCA, AHA, Spay USA, and Animal Sheltering).

Expectations

• This is a full-time position requiring 40-60 hours per week, including some holidays, and weekends. The SD must be available in office from 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday, excluding one hour for a lunch break and other work-related responsibilities that take the SD out of the office.
• Works with LCHS staff to develop rapport and positive relationships and to ensure understanding of programs and events; encourages enhancement of staff/board of director/community relationships.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the climate and needs of the Lafayette County Animal Shelter staff and operations; responds to needs in a helpful and supportive way as time and circumstance permit.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $70,000