Operations Director
Description
Essential Job Functions: (include the following. Other duties may be assigned.)
Shelter Operations:
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Directs and assures that animal behavior, animal intakes, animal sheltering, adoptions and dispositions, and client service programs are operated in a coordinated, cooperative, effective and efficient manner that is consistent with policy.
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Researches best practices regarding animal welfare and shelter medicine and makes recommendations to the ED to implement these practices as appropriate.
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Develops, implements, and modifies SOPs as needed to assure efficient shelter operations and fulfillment of HOV’s goals.
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Working closely with the ED, develops annual budget and manages operational income and expenses within the approved budget.
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Maintains shelter records and statistics. Regularly compiles and provides reports to the Executive Director.
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Maintains effective inventory control. Oversees the procurement of equipment, materials, and supplies for shelter and veterinary operations.
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Oversees the care and maintenance of the Shelter building and grounds to sustain a safe environment for animals and people. Oversees proactive and reactive maintenance of building fixtures, furnishings, grounds, systems and structures. Coordinates with vendors including obtaining bids and overseeing work.
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Maintains a safe work environment, manages operational staff and volunteer safety programs, and accident/injury reporting processes.
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Responsible for maintaining a high level of cleanliness, upkeep and sanitation in all areas of the shelter, including animal care and housing areas, storage and auxiliary areas, public areas, and staff break rooms.
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Promotes relationships with other local and national nonprofit and animal welfare organizations.
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Continually assesses operational effectiveness and implements improvement/enhancement processes as needed.
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On-call for emergency shelter situations, including veterinary emergencies and alarm calls.
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Ensures the ED is kept immediately and fully apprised of any sensitive operational issues.
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Maintains a positive public visibility, relations, and interface in a manner befitting a leadership position in the shelter.
- Acts as a customer service representative when necessary to deal with difficult situations, complaints, special requests, and when needed based on staffing.
Animal Welfare:
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Oversees the care and treatment of all animals residing at the shelter, according to industry best practices, to achieve the highest possible levels of humane housing, feeding, behavioral enrichment, exercise, and medical care.
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Manages operations and behavior staff to ensure progressive behavior evaluation and enrichment programs, including work aimed at improving the quality of life or behavioral adoptability of dogs and cats while at the shelter.
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Oversees the animal evaluation process (behavioral and medical) and adoptability committee; responsible for adhering to the organization’s policies and procedures regarding the classification and determination of adoptability of an animal.
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Manages city and county animal control programs and stray pet intake processes.
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Responsible for ensuring humane euthanasia practices and policies throughout the shelter. The Operations Director is expected to become a Certified Euthanasia Technician licensed in the State of Montana.
- Maintains all Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) records to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
Personnel Management:
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Supervises the operations team, including the veterinary staff, behavior staff and department leads. Manages direct reports as outlined in the Department Flow Chart.
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Promotes a culture of professionalism, dedication, integrity, compassion and credibility.
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Develops strategies for staff recruitment and retention.
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Oversees processes for staff hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, promotion, and discipline recommendations.
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Responsible for creating, modifying and implementing operations staff training and development program.
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Ensures the ED is kept immediately and fully apprised of any personnel matters.
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Responsible for assuring that proper policies and procedures are followed in all departments. Addresses employee grievances and complaints as appropriate and in collaboration with the ED.
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Works with the Volunteer Manager to effectively utilize and manage HOV volunteers in all aspects of animal care and enrichment, adoption programs, and customer service.
Qualification Requirements: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and task satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
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Strong commitment to animal welfare and HOV’s mission, vision, policies and goals. Three to five years’ supervisory/leadership experience, preferably in an animal shelter environment.
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Self-starter, facilitator, organizer, innovator.
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Ability to multi-task, prioritize in line with organizational priorities, meet deadlines and remain calm while handling a certain amount of expected chaos.
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Demonstrated problem solving skills; effective in identifying opportunities, proposing and implementing solutions.
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Knowledge of the animal care field including current best practices, shelter medicine protocols, and canine and feline behavior and enrichment.
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Proven ability to assess organizational needs and address those needs by developing or modifying programs within budgetary constraints.
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Demonstrated experience in budget development and effective management of revenue/expenses to meet operational goals
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Demonstrated experience motivating and managing a team, delegating available staff and resources toward achievement of goals.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including personnel interviewing and mediation, and public speaking.
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Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) or capable of certification after hire.
Special Machines, Tools, and Equipment Used: Computers, standard office equipment, and shelter vehicles. Animal handling and care equipment such as catch poles, nets, pressure cleaning system and humane traps. Power washer and various approved sanitizing products.
Job Demands:
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Working alone or with minimal supervision, must be self-motivated.
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Management-level job experience.
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Working under pressure with a public audience.
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Patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people.
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Ability to create detailed, accurate written materials.
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Speaking and writing effectively and clearly in a professional manner individually and to groups.
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Computer proficiency and word processing, spreadsheets, email, and shelter database software.
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Ability to assess operational needs and assign and supervise staff to meet those needs.
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Handling people and animals in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner.
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This is an exempt position and there may be weeks where the job requires more than 40 hrs.
How to Apply
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Marla Caulk at marla@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or apply online at Heart of the Valley Shelter.