Animal Care Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Animal Care Department at Joybound serves as the backbone of our mission-driven initiatives. The Animal Care Supervisor plays a pivotal role in fostering a supportive and uplifting environment, where employees thrive and our shelter guests (dogs and cats) receive exceptional care. Responsible for overseeing the humane housing and well-being of our shelter guests, the Supervisor also champions a culture of positivity and growth amongst the team. They provide direct leadership to animal care staff, serving as mentors and advocates, while collaborating closely with the Shelter Manager on various operational aspects such as performance management, discipline, hiring, training, and termination. In addition to ensuring adherence to protocols and policies, the Supervisor actively cultivates morale and encourages each team member to reach their full potential, thereby enriching both our workforce and the lives of our shelter guests.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead by action and example to advance a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.

• Coach and guide animal care staff, providing ongoing direction, example, mentorship, resources, feedback, discipline, and accountability to elevate individual and team performance.
• Supervise, mentor, recognize and assist Animal Care team and volunteers daily to ensure the proper care, feeding and medicating of all animals at Joybound.  Regularly evaluate and give feedback to Animal Care staff and volunteers to improve the quality of work and productivity.  Assign and follow-up on daily task sheets to ensure satisfactory completion.
• Train and mentor Animal Care Staff Coaches so that they may train and coach Animal Care Specialists on each shift.  Ensure materials for training and daily work are current, accurate and ensure the best well-being of the animals and best use of staff time.
• Coordinate and ensure humane housing of Joybound shelter guests, including foster returns, long and short term returns.
• Assist with interviewing, assessing, and hiring new Animal Care Staff Coach, Animal Care Specialist, and Medication Specialist and carry out disciplinary action with Animal Care staff.  Collaborate with the Shelter Manager regarding annual performance evaluations for Animal Care Staff Coach and Specialists.
• Maintain a high level of service in the Animal Care area by leading by example and coaching staff. Learn and use proper care, cleaning, feeding and medicating procedures.
• Maintain inventory and assist Shelter Manager with ordering supplies, food and equipment used in kenneling and feeding of animals following proper requisition procedures.
• Coordinate Animal Care Specialists work within established schedule to make certain that minimum staffing needs are met. Approve overtime as needed while meeting budget constraints.  Cover shifts as needed.  Support and provide coverage for other Animal Care Supervisor as schedule dictates.
• Improve and maintain shelter cleaning protocols to present Joybound in the most inviting manner to members of the public while maintaining the welfare of the animals.
• Ensure that facilities and equipment are maintained in a safe, clean, and serviceable condition and that staff are trained in the proper and safe use of all equipment, as needed in the performance of their job duties.  Establish, organize and maintain necessary documentation for OSHA/CAL compliance.
• Learn and use proper handling techniques for shelter guests and make certain that all animals are handled, housed, and socialized humanely and safely. 
• Ensure that medical or behavioral conditions are identified and reported to the appropriate staff. 
• Promote teamwork, communication, and cooperation between Animal Care staff and all other departments, including volunteers.
• Always promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals. 
• Ensure Animal Care staff and volunteers comply with all Federal, State and local safety regulations and laws, as well as Joybound policies and guidelines.
• Perform duties in a manner that encourages attainment of goals, contributions and business for Joybound and its programs.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all information.
• Perform other duties and assist the Shelter Manager, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years prior supervisory experience including hiring and delivering disciplinary actions.
• Minimum of two years work experience in an animal shelter setting, coordinating care of animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets.
• Work with, evaluate, coach and supervise a variety of staff and volunteers in an effective and respectful manner while holding individuals accountable for their results.
• Knowledge of shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices. Knowledge of various breeds and their characteristics, and familiarity with symptoms of diseases common to dogs and cats.
• Computer proficient with Word and Excel; ability to learn new programs required.
• Maintain confidential information.
• Effective written and verbal communications skills. 
• Communicate with the public, volunteers, staff and co-workers in a pleasant, courteous and tactful manner at all times. 
• Demonstrates maturity, good judgment and professionalism. Good analytical skills and ability to identify issues/opportunities. Accomplishes problem-solving within existing resources; does not rely on additional dollars to resolve problems.
• Be comfortable and skilled in working with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the work place.
• Always promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
• Pre-employment background check screening required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates degree; Bachelors degree preferred. Qualifying work experience will be considered as an alternative on the basis that one year of experience may be substituted for one year of education.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.
• Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary.
• Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach, grasp and turn objects, stand, and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.
• Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds. Walk dogs weighing up to 150 pounds in a variety of weather conditions.
• Assess medical and behavior changes in animals using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, visually and audibly.
• Dexterity to handle animals and small objects.
• Sit for long and short periods of time while using a computer.
• Ability to become an authorized driver.

HOURS:

Full Time: 40 hours per week.  Daily reporting hours and days of the week may vary.  Weekend and Holiday work will be required and some evening work may be required.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

At Joybound, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race; color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.