Description:

Reports to: Director of Operations; works collaboratively with other department managers.

Job Summary:

The Pet Care Manager leads the LHS Pet Care Department, balancing administrative duties with hands-on pet care. This role supports staff development, coordinates care with other department managers, and manages daily workflow to provide compassionate care and maintain a clean, sanitary shelter consistent with LHS's lifesaving mission, protocols, and legal requirements.

Responsibilities Management:

Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate pet care staff; provide regular feedback, coaching, and corrective action as needed. Manage staff schedules, daily workflow, task assignments, time-off approvals, and biweekly timecard approvals for payroll. Manages the department's daily scheduling, operational flow, task lists, and staff role assignments to ensure department time efficiency, staff productivity, and job satisfaction. Promotes the integration of volunteers into the pet care department. Works closely with the volunteer coordinator to lead efforts to increase volunteer training and assistance. Makes multiple daily shelter inspections to ensure work is completed promptly, pets receive appropriate care, and housing and non-housing areas are clean, sanitary, and organized. Oversee inventories of shelter cleaning supplies and equipment and assures that appropriate quantities of all supplies are on hand at all times Ensures the department remains within budget and strives to cut unnecessary waste. Ensures cleaning protocols are kept up to date and easily accessible to pet care staff Constantly strives for improvement in cleanliness, efficiencies, and time management

Pet Care and Disease Control:

Monitor shelter pets' health; ensure daily medical care needs are met, promptly report concerns to the Shelter Health Department, and coordinate responses to contagious illness with the Shelter Health Manager. Ensure species appropriate housing, diet, and enrichment for all pets in the shelter Maintain incorporation of low stress and fear-free handling and housing in day-to-day operations Monitor pets' behavioral needs and ensure behavior and enrichment plans are followed daily; Report concerns to the Behavior Manager or Director of Operations. Assist with daily playgroups. Work in collaboration with the Adoptions and Foster Manager and other department managers and staff to move pets through the LHS Pathway Program and support individualized placement and timely adoption. Work alongside staff to provide daily pet care and cleaning as needed.

Compliance:

Work in collaboration with the Director of Operations Shelter Health Manager to review, update, and implement sanitation and disease control protocols and mitigate outbreaks; keep cleaning protocols easily accessible to staff. Monitor staff safety practices and ensure training and resources are provided for disease control, safe handling, and low-stress and Fear-Free techniques. Monitor staff safety compliance of staff and ensure proper training and resources are provided for disease control, low-stress and Fear-Free handling, and proper handling.

Other:

Participate in professional development and training, keeping current in animal welfare, pet care, disease control, and low-stress practices; apply learning to improve care and daily operations. Celebrate staff and promote a safe, positive, and inclusive work environment rooted in LHS Core Values, respect, and teamwork. Share manager-on-duty responsibilities when other department managers are off shift.

Requirements:

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

High school diploma; college degree preferred. At least one year of demonstrated excellence managing staff and daily operations Experience working in an animal shelter setting preferred but not required Knowledge of disease prevention and animal husbandry Knowledge of dog and cat body language and low-stress handling techniques Physical Requirements Ability to perform daily pet care and cleaning duties, including standing, walking, bending, and kneeling. Ability to safely handle cats, dogs, and small animals of varying sizes and behavioral needs, usin appropriate methods, equipment, and assistance. Qualifications Ability to teach pet care procedures, assess staff understanding and skills, and provide ongoing support and correction. Ability to communicate and collaborate professionally and respectfully and address conflict calmly and directly, while remaining receptive to feedback and differing perspectives. Ability to thrive in a busy and rapidly changing environment while remaining organized and accurate and providing direction and leadership to staff. Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and solve problems. Ability to use electronic systems for staff scheduling, timecard approvals, communication, and record keeping. Commitment to LHS's lifesaving mission and willingness to learn, evaluate current practices, and support changes that improve care for pets and people. Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a way that fosters understanding and compassion.