Shelter Team Leader
Job Title:
Shelter Team Leader
Department:
Shelter- 01
Job Classification:
Full-time, non-exempt
Compensation:
$19.00 per hour
Job Relationships:
Reports to the Shelter Manager or Director of Operations.
It is expected that the incumbent is a resource to other staff and department and has an advanced understanding of shelter management and operations.
The position serves as the primary point of contact for daily observations, record management, and team activities.
The Shelter Team Leader is a position of leadership within the organization. The Shelter Team Leader supervises and mentors the Shelter Team staff by providing clear direction, support, and training regarding the daily duties and responsibilities to shelter operations. This position requires a deep commitment to teamwork, working collaboratively with other team members and departments to ensure that the shelter operates efficiently and effectively. The Shelter Team Leader is accountable for maintaining a high standard of animal care, and for fostering a positive work environment rooted in respect for both staff and animals, and for the human-animal bond that is central to the mission of the shelter.
The Shelter Team Leader actively supervises the performance and growth of the Shelter Team Members, assists the Shelter Manager in developing and implementing goals, oversees staff performance evaluations, and provides guidance to foster professional growth. The Shelter Team Lead also assists the Animal Care Coordinator with population management. This role is essential in promoting collaboration within the team and across departments, ensuring that all stakeholders are working together toward shared goals. The Team Leader ensures that inclusivity is prioritized, ensuring that all team members, regardless of background, feel welcomed, valued, and supported in their roles.
This position attends management and supervisory meetings, contributing to strategy and problem-solving discussions, and is expected to invest in personal development and continuing education (CE) to stay current with industry trends and best practices. The Shelter Team Leader also assists the Shelter Manager with ensuring safety procedures are followed, accountability in animal recordkeeping, and respect for the protocols that ensure the well-being of all animals in the shelter’s care.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
● Demonstrates knowledge of Shelter’s vision and values, and additional community support programs such as Safety Net and Rehoming services. Frequently communicates these services to patrons with an emphasis on respect for the needs and perspectives of the community, and provides relevant digital and printed materials.
● Supervises and provides direct mentorship and training to four (4) assigned Shelter Team Members. Provides indirect guidance to five to ten (5-10) Shelter Team Members during normal shifts, ensuring that collaboration is emphasized and that everyone is working together toward the common goal of animal welfare.
● Provides consistent and regular guidance, direction, motivation, and training to Shelter Team Members regarding daily duties, responsibilities, and operations of the Shelter, emphasizing teamwork and the human-animal bond in all interactions.
● Assist the Shelter Manager by occasionally performing daily rounds and updating each animal’s records with any notable observations, ensuring respect and care in all interactions with animals when the Shelter Manager is not present.
● Is directly involved in the use, maintenance, and development of the Pathway Planning Tool, ensuring that all decisions are made with accountability and transparency.
● Ensures the accurate outcome pathway is developed and implemented at time of intake and followed throughout custody, taking into account the needs of each animal with a focus on their well-being and the fostering of a strong human-animal bond.
● Responsible for maintaining a high level of process and procedural understanding, inclusivity, compliance, and troubleshooting over all shelter operations.
● Assists Shelter Manager with the implementation and enforcement of Shelter policies and procedures, always prioritizing respect for both the animals and staff in the process.
● Responsible for ensuring a safe, sanitary, organized, and professional facility at all times, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and respect within the team.
General Duties and Responsibilities:
● Ensures the accuracy of all user input data into the shelter management system (adoptions, intakes, transfer-ins, initial exam notes, etc.), promoting accountability for all data entry.
● Provides Shelterluv reports when requested, ensuring that all information is accurate and supports the mission of the shelter.
● Responsible for maintaining a high level of decision-making abilities, emotional intelligence, teamwork, communication, and discretion. These attributes should be demonstrated in all interactions with team members, animals, and the community.
● Responsible for executing the facility opening and closing walk-through checklists, ensuring that all procedures are followed with accountability.
● Acts as the primary authority when the Shelter Manager or Operations Director is unavailable; including troubleshooting, conflict management, decision-making, and responsibility for communicating necessary information to the management team. This is done with a focus on collaboration and maintaining a positive work environment built on respect.
● Manages and resolves day-to-day conflicts, provides guidance to staff on difficult situations, and ensures resolution in a way that fosters a positive team atmosphere.
● Responds to email inquiries within 24 hours of receipt during scheduled shift, ensuring professional, timely communication.
● Complete other duties as assigned while always upholding the shelter's values of teamwork, respect, and inclusivity.
The above is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities; therefore, other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by management. The person selected for this position must be able to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities with accountability, with or without reasonable accommodation, and with a commitment to the values of teamwork, human-animal bond, collaboration,inclusivity,andrespect.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS: (Education, Experience, Certification, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
Education/Experience
● Must be 18 years old or older to apply.
● A minimum of three (3) consecutive years of work experience required. Preference given for candidates with prior experience in an animal care or welfare-related field, or those with customer care and front-office experience.
● High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
● Computer literate in Microsoft Office and Google environments.
● Ability to utilize effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
● Ability to communicate effectively in a team environment.
● Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrating respectand a commitment tocollaboration.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
● High level of time management, interpersonal communication (written and verbal), emotional intelligence, and work ethic skills, all crucial for teamwork and accountability.
● Excellent customer service and volunteer relations, treating all individuals with respect.
● Solid computing skills (Microsoft Office and Google Workspace environment).
● Able to prioritize tasks and delegate efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
● Able to work independently and as a team, demonstrating collaborationand inclusivity.
● Desire to promote a culture of inclusiveness, excellence, transparency, and trust.
● Knowledge of animal health, care, and welfare, basic husbandry, and strong animal handling skills.
● Knowledge of animal behavior, enrichment, breeds, and species, with a deep understanding of the human-animal bond.
● Knowledge of, and experience with, non-domestic animals including exotics and barnyard animals.
● Able to use sound judgment when dealing with confidential, sensitive, or ambiguous information, demonstrating respect for privacy and confidentiality.
● Able to prioritize and focus on job duties in a fast-paced, demanding, and constantly changing work environment, while remaining committed to accountability and teamwork.
● Ability to become certified in and perform euthanasia.
Working Conditions:
Work Environment: Most work is performed in normal shelter setting; potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases; potential for exposure to dangerous and fractious animals; exposure to high noise levels when in kennel area; potential for animal bites and scratches while handling animals; exposure to cleaning products; exposure to various weather conditions when working outside. Exposure to clients showing a wide range of emotions including hostility.
Physical Activities Include: Potential for standing, walking and sitting up to eight (8) or more hours a day; listening and verbally speaking on the telephone and in person; scrubbing and mopping; sitting at a desk; performing repetitive data entry; driving on behalf of the organization; bending, squatting, cleaning; performing physical examinations on animals; animal restraint; handling syringes and needles. Must be able to properly lift as much as 50lbs independently and be comfortable walking a 60lbs canine for 10-15 minutes.
Note: Must be at least 21 years of age; must hold a valid Wyoming Driver License and have and maintain an insurable driving record to drive CAS vehicles.
_ **All new employees are required to pass a drug screen and background check.**_
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- Every weekend
Work Location: In person