About the Oregon Humane Society
Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, OHS is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs. Visit oregonhumane.org to learn more about how we’re creating a More Humane Society.
The Team
Animal Care is responsible for the daily care & husbandry of animals in the care of OHS. This includes cleaning, feeding, medicating and escalating behavior or medical concerns as they arise. Animal Care is the primary voice of the animal while at OHS.
The Position
The Animal Care Manager oversees the OHS Animal Care department, receiving over 10,000 animals per year and promoting positive interactions between the Oregon Humane Society and the public. This role is responsible for the daily care, enrichment, medical needs of all animals within OHS. This position collaborates with shelter departments and community organizations in all aspects of animal care and placement. The Animal Care Manager will work with all OHS staff, volunteers, and other resources to successfully develop and implement all aspects of animal care.
Eligible Benefits
We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees.
Medical/Dental/Vision
Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays
401(k) with employer match
Professional Development Opportunities
One free OHS adoption / year
Perks & Discounts
Essential Responsibilities
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP
Consistently strives to exceed expectations; demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
Maintains high ethical standards, including exhibiting behaviors and actions that embrace and align to our organization and customer service values, while treating all people with respect and dignity.
Demonstrates an awareness of their individual personal strengths and development needs, modeling non-defensive behavior and openness to feedback; builds a culture of feedback and learning.
TEAM LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
Manage, support, and provide coaching feedback to team members, and create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence within their own team and embrace their role and responsibilities in advancing shared goals and priorities.
Manage day-to-day implementation and support for key activities including coordination with other teams implementing complementary activities.
Role model inclusive leadership, creating an environment where diverse viewpoints are welcomed and actively engaged.
LEARNING
Contribute to regular dialogue and accountability with the leadership team and across the organization to review progress and course correct, if necessary.
Ensure data and insights to identify, understand and articulate the key inputs and metrics that tell the story of the organization/team strategy and its progress.
Build in appropriate feedback loops to see if we are meeting key milestones and if the impact planned is being felt across the organization.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
Represent OHS, as requested, at key stakeholder and sectorial meetings or engagements.
Communicate effectively to executive, and other stakeholder groups to ensure they are informed and able to actively engage
Liaise with and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, including other departments, and donors; build mutually rewarding professional relationships inside OHS at all levels.
Leverage our best practices externally and grow OHS’ reputation as a leader in this space by identifying opportunities to share the process and results in the broader animal welfare sector through presentations, whitepapers, blogs, etc.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Oversee the kennels, cattery, and animal care areas of the shelter. Ensures that all animals are fed, cleaned, watered, medicated, enriched and provided comforts such as bedding and toys.
Work with Animal Care and Team leads/Kennel Supervisors in developing and monitoring procedures to ensure efficient and effective methods of cleaning, feeding, medicating, assessing, and providing necessary care for shelter animals.
Ensure consistent and accurate computer records in all areas of shelter operations.
Responsible for maintaining an accurate animal inventory.
Work with area supervisors to hire and train staff.
Work to streamline procedures while maintaining integrity of programs. Evaluate and implement new ideas for improving customer service and animal care tasks.
Regularly attend and act as a liaison in department, safety and staff meetings.
Conduct animal euthanasia in the shelter.
Work with OHS buyers to monitor, order, receive and stock supplies.
Work with Operations Director and other shelter management to develop and meet department budget.
Assist with public education such as tours and presentations and in-shelter types of education such as Animal Behavior Training, Shelter’s Greeter Training and Shelter Day Camp.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
Supervises: Animal Care Supervisor, Animal Care Lead(s), Animal Care Technicians
ACCOUNTABILITY
Reports Directly To: Director, Shelter Operations
Often Engages Directly With: Customer Care, Shelter Medicine, Admissions, Foster
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to the Oregon Humane Society.
3 years management experience.
3 years animal welfare experience.
Must have knowledge and experience with many breeds of dogs, cats and small animals, common health concerns and general shelter practices.
Candidates with previous similar or strong supervisory experience, animal behavior knowledge, overall knowledge of shelter operations and goals will be preferred. A strong background in staff supervision is required.
Proficient in use of Microsoft office including word, Excel, PowerPoint and outlook.
Proficient in data analytics and reporting.
Able to work weekends and evenings.
Excellent verbal and written communication and collaboration skills to effectively communicate with technical, internal, and external audiences, leveraging a variety of communication channels
Must be aware of key functional dependencies across the organization and identify solutions when needed.
Work Environment Conditions & Physical Requirements
This position interacts and collaborates will all levels of the organization, including OHS staff, executive team members, donors, general-public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional, and respectful in all circumstances.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment.
Travel between the two campuses may be required.
Working at both campuses may be required.
Occasional weekend and evening work may be required.
Animal contact and related injuries may occur.
Noise exposure varies and sometimes includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations.
Pace of work is active and demanding, requiring a high degree of multitasking and ability to adapt to changing priorities while managing concurrent projects/tasks to completion.
Contact with angry or emotional people may occur.
Physical Requirements
Occasional lifting and moving of inanimate objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
Occasional pushing and pulling of carted items weighing up to 100 lbs.
Occasional moving items above shoulder level.
Occasional use of hands and arms at or above shoulder level.
Prolonged standing, sitting and/or stooping may occur.
Occasional climbing and bending.
Must be able to lift, move, restrain, guide, or manage an animal weighing up to 150 lbs. on a leash on an occasional basis.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods.
Ability to respond and perform life saving techniques in an emergency.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and address and overcome complex challenges and barriers. We strive for a culture of integrity, respect, and compassion where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves and reaches their potential as individuals and teams. We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Oregon Humane Society is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group.
At-Will Employment
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.
