Shelter Care Supervisor

BENEFITS: 

• Health, dental, vision and more 

• 3 weeks paid time off + 10 paid holidays 

• 403b with employer match 


• Check out our full list of benefits and perks HERE 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Shelter Care Program is responsible for the direct animal care for all nine species of animal accepted for admission at Seattle Humane. This includes an astounding array of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice. Each day the Shelter Care Team is responsible for feeding, cleaning, exercising, enriching, and medicating the animals in our care. In addition to the high level of care each animal receives,  Shelter Care Leadership also supports pathway planning for each animal’s journey. This starts from intake to outcome with an emphasis on minimize length of stay and meeting each pet’s individual needs. In order to accomplish these duties, Shelter Care is comprised of a team of compassionate and skilled staff and volunteers. While the work during the day can be challenging, the team supports a culture of leaving work at work when the scheduled day is over. 

The Shelter Care Supervisor position is a staff supervisory role responsible for hiring, training, and supervision of the Animal Care Associates (ACAs), who are a unionized team. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the staff understand and follow all processes while also balancing appropriate, individualized animal care with personal skill development. Additionally, the Shelter Care Supervisor works alongside Volunteer Services and fellow Shelter Care Leadership to oversee Shelter Care Volunteers. This entails ensuring compliance with protocols and safe practices, and following up with Volunteer Services for elevated concerns. The Shelter Care Supervisor should be skilled in working with people and adapting to their personal styles and needs. The Supervisor is expected to split their time between providing hands-on training and coaching of ACAs, and filling in with ACA care duties. The Supervisor may also fill in for the Manager. 

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Responsible for training, supervising, and coaching of Animal Care Associates 

• Responsible for supporting Shelter Care volunteers as needed  

• Fills in for Manager as needed 

• Creates staff training materials and keeps track of progress 

• Drafts and delivers performance evaluations 

• Fills in on ACA tasks as needed to provide coverage 

• Addresses staff concerns and/ or issues promptly and professionally 

• Working with Shelter Care Manager to document and address unsatisfactory performance or behaviors 

• Meets formally with ACAs for 1:1s on a  monthly basis 

• Oversees the staff training and specialization opportunities 

• Works closely with Shelter Care Manager to implement department changes 

• Provides input for staff schedules 

• Actively participates in projects, groups, and management meetings 

• In collaboration with Shelter Care Manager, creates and updates SOPs and processes documents as needed 

• Capable of completing all key ACA tasks and functions

• Works with Volunteer Services to determine appropriate levels of volunteer support  

• Ensures that the team is providing high quality individualized care in accordance with the Five Domains 

• Focuses on disease prevention and safe working practices 

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: 

• Maintains appropriate files and records. Adheres to the files and records of retention policy and procedures.

• Supports other staff teams as needed. 

• Provides Manager on Duty coverage. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

• Staff: Direct supervision of Animal Care Associates 

• Volunteers: Indirect supervision of all shelter care volunteer positions 

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT: 

• Daily close collaboration and communication with staff from Shelter Care, Volunteer Services, Adoptions, Admissions, Foster, Behavior, and Vet Services. 

• Daily communication with the Manager. 

• Frequent individual check-in conversations with ACAs 

• Constant communication with team volunteers. 

• Represents Seattle Humane in a professional manner. 

• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributes to an inclusive working environment that is sensitive to other opinions, cultures, and perspectives. 

COMPLEXITY:

Supervisory roles include coaching and feedback based on the individual’s needs and style. A high degree of independent judgment is required.  The nature of the job will vary. Must be able to supervise and coordinate staff and volunteers and remain focused on the agency goals and objectives.  A strong attention to detail and the ability to respond to unexpected questions, comments or requests from other departments or the public is required. Must be able to maintain concentration on a task or series of tasks while dealing with frequent interruptions. Must be able to train new staff and adjust plans as appropriate based on the individual. Must be able to work well without direct supervision.  The ability to motivate, negotiate and mediate is important when handling a variety of personalities and emotions. Supervisors who are open to learning new management methods and skills are desired.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING: 

• Must have 2 years of experience working in an animal shelter setting 

• Supervisory experience preferred 

• Must have excellent oral communication skills

• Must be able to write clearly and listen effectively 

• Must possess organizational and planning skills to determine work priorities and schedules 

• Must have experience working with volunteers 

• Must have experience supervising staff or volunteers 

• At least one year employment at an animal shelter or related professional experience handling animals is preferred 

• Basic knowledge of animal health, behavior and nutrition 

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel  

• Must be familiar with Outlook environment, internet use and e-mail 

• Experience with databases and data entry is helpful 

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

College degree or related experience.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

• Comfortable administering medications and injections

• Can solve problems and make clear decisions quickly

• Has good attention to detail 

• Produces accurate work despite frequent interruptions

• Negotiates, organizes, and manages multiple and complex projects

• Focuses on strategic goals and objectives and how they impact daily work

• Is sensitive to other opinions, perspectives and/or cultures

• Offers excellent customer service both internally and externally

• Can have difficult conversations with staff and volunteers regarding placement and euthanasia in a sensitive manner

• Comfortable dealing with angry, confused, distraught and/or irrational people

• Exhibits initiative and motivation in performing all duties

• With or without accommodation has good sense of hearing, vision, and smell (to distinguish between various odors) 

• With or without accommodation stands for long periods of time and walks quickly

• With or without accommodation exhibits good dexterity and reflexes especially when restraining or moving an animal

• Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 pounds with or without accommodation

• Must be able to crouch and bend at the waist and kneel

• Must be able to control dogs up to 200 pounds when on a leash

WORKING CONDITIONS:

General office and animal shelter environment.  When handling animals, there is a potential of animal bites, exposure to zoonotic diseases, animal dander and noise.  Potential for working with upset or irate customers or volunteers. Involves entering and leaving work areas alone before sunrise and after sunset.

Equipment Used: Personal computer and printer, applicable software, office supplies, multi-lined telephone, copier, safety boots, hearing protection, eye protection, respirators, gloves, animal leashes, clothes washer and dryer, broom, mop, hoses and nozzle, sprayers, scrapers, squeegees and animal dryers.

Work Hours: Full-time non-exempt position. 40 hours per week scheduled, four days a week. Schedule is set but may vary depending on coverage by other department staff, holidays, or emergencies. Requires regular after-hours availability to verbally respond to staff callouts.

SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES: 

Candidate should be committed to Seattle Humane’s Core Values: 

Compassion 
Accessibility 
Innovation 
Responsibility 
Teamwork 

WHO WE ARE: 

Seattle Humane is more than a shelter; we’re a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all. 

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.