What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sanctuary Generalist (Animal Care Management and Operations Management) position at West Place Animal Sanctuary?
Position – Sanctuary Generalist
Please read this entire job post before applying. Applicants must understand the expectations and we are only seeking serious inquiries.
Please read this entire job post before applying. Applicants must understand the expectations and we are only seeking serious inquiries.
- We are a non-profit (very different from a for-profit business).
- We are open 365 days a year.
- Experience IS required. Please do not apply if you have absolutely no experience for this position. We are seeking someone with animal experience, operations experience and property management experience.
- Emergent calls and emails come in every day, even on the holidays and the operations manager needs to assist the public in a timely manner. This will mean taking the work phone home with you when you are acting as the Operations Manager. There are not often late-night emergencies but they do happen. If the Operations Manager receives an emergent call, it will be escalated to the Animal Care Manager, which could be you if the Animal Care Manager is off.
- If your scheduled work days fall on a holiday, you are scheduled to work unless you use a PTO day for the holiday (we have volunteers and staff every single day of the year since our farm animal rescues do not know it is a holiday).
- We need a candidate who is reliable, shows up for work every day and does not call out. If you call out, your job must still be done and will have to be turned over to another staff person who already has a full-time job, and they will end up working several more hours in order to cover for you or have to come in on their day off, so the staff must be able to rely on your attendance.
- You must be willing to talk on the phone. This is mandatory.
- You must be willing to talk to people in person and be willing to learn how to give an educational tour to visitors.
- You must understand deadlines and emergencies and be willing to address them.
- A cover letter would really help us get to know you well beyond your resume so applicants are encouraged to send.
- We are not at a point where we currently offer health insurance or a retirement plan but we are working toward adding this in 2025 so there will be a period of time before these are able to be offered.
- If you are called for an interview and you ask us to "remind you what the position is" because you did not read/retain this information, we will not move forward with your application. Attention to detail is first and foremost here, and our initial contact with you is of the utmost importance and part of our interview process.
- If you are offered the position and need to leave your role with us, we request at least one-month's notice AND full training of your successor because of the uniqueness of the position.
If you have read this far, you will be applying for a very interesting, challenging and engaging position at an incredible place that does so much good in our region and beyond!
Overall Goal:
The Sanctuary Generalist is responsible for covering for the Animal Care Manager, the Operations Manager and the Property Manager on their days off. The position includes supervising daily operations at West Place Animal Sanctuary, and:
- Serving and the acting Animal Care Manager on Mondays and Tuesdays (and whenever the ACM is on PTO)
- Serving as the acting Operations Manager on Fridays and Saturdays which includes tasks such as emails, phone calls, guiding tours and more
- Serving as the Property Manager on Sundays which includes working with the large greenthumb volunteer crew on Sunday mornings, managing group volunteering, guiding tours and more
Responsibilities:
Please note that this position is full time and requires Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule for this position is Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday with Wednesdays and Thursdays off.
Animal Care Management when ACM is off:
- Oversee volunteers performing feeding, cleaning and maintenance of resident living areas
- Oversee cleaning, maintenance, and proper storage of sanctuary equipment
- Assist with the check-in of new animals and inspection.
- Follow proper safety measures and procedures when volunteers are using chemicals and cleaning supplies
- Implementing regular tasks for volunteers
- Overseeing cleanliness, maintenance and daily care of kennel, office and gift shop building
- Daily health checks on all animals
- Providing supplements, medications, injections, etc. as needed
- Inform ACM or Executive Director of any health issues with the animals
Operations Management when Ops Manager is off:
- Answering basic emails, providing necessary information and updating Ops Manager
- Answering basic phone calls, providing necessary information and updating Ops Manager
- Maintain process to review applications, check references and interview potential individual volunteers assess interests/skills of volunteers and match with appropriate activities
- Assign and track completion of assigned volunteer training
- Maintain daily volunteer scheduling
- Maintain volunteer database
- Provide ongoing training to new and existing volunteers
- Engage with existing volunteers daily and provide feedback and additional guidance as needed
- Maintain ongoing communications with volunteers
- Maintain volunteer recognition program and collaborate with leaders of other departments as needed, and plan and execute volunteer appreciation and training activities
- Identify high profile volunteers and make connections with the appropriate stakeholders within the organization
- Monitor, encourage, and manage electronic messaging communications to/from volunteers, including the internal application
- Lead guided tours around the sanctuary and check in visitors and understand the workings of our gift shop
Intern Program Management:
- Respond to internship requests; assess interests/skills of interns and match with appropriate staff or projects
- Develop and manage comprehensive orientation process for new interns
- Engage in ongoing feedback and complete school evaluations as required
- Update manuals as necessary
Property, greenthumb and building management
- Work with Sunday greenthumbs on projects
- Assure that all buildings are maintained, cleaned, repaired as necessary
- Monitor electric and heat usage in all buildings and be responsible for conserving
- Manage the organization and cleanliness of the property
Other Skills and Physical Requirements:
- Must have an interest in animals and plants and prior experience is strongly preferred
- Cleanliness of office and workspace
- Enthusiasm
- VERY Strong organizational skills
- Critical Thinking skills
- Mindfulness
- VERY strong time management skills
- Ability to multi-task on a daily basis
- Database management
- Proficiency using Word, Excel, Internet, GSuite for non-profits, certain programs and apps such as Discord and AirTable
- Commitment to a team approach of working with staff members, volunteers and guests
- Strong listening, speaking and writing skills
- Able to manage in-person requests and phone/emails
- Must be able to be around/handle large animals when necessary
- Ability to stand for long periods of time (tours, inventories)
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. a plus
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,000.00 to start per year based on experience regarding all the above. Yearly reviews and increases, and potential to move up within the organization.
Benefits:
- 50% Employee discount in our gift shop
- Paid time off - 10 days PTO
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift (8.5 with break)
- Day shift (9-5:30 – 9-5 during winter months)
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (off Wednesdays and Thursdays)
- Holidays necessary if they fall on the above workdays (PTO can be used for holidays unless you are the primary Animal Care manager on that day). Please note that you will NOT be able to have off on holidays that fall on a Monday or a Tuesday unless the Animal Care Manager is willing to switch with you.
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Tiverton, RI 02878: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
- Animal Care Management: more than 1 year (Required)
- Operations Management: more than 1 year (Required)
- Work in greenhouses and gardens preferred
- Knowledge of property management preferred
Work Location: In person, no remote work or work-at-home available for this position
Information can be sent to executivedirector@westplace.org
Industry:
- Non-profit Organizations
Employment Type:
Full-time
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Salary : $40,000