Animal Care Supervisor

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Animal Care Supervisor to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year , providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve.

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic , the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic , the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center , and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support.

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store , a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission.

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Animal Care Supervisor

The Animal Care Supervisor (ACS) is an indispensable leader that guides and develops a team of compassionate, hardworking people who care for over 7,000 animals each year. The ACS is responsible for personnel, program, and functions with the expectation to conduct necessary activities without direction except as new or unusual circumstances require. The ACS must supervise, inspire, and coach employees, workforce partners, and volunteers as they conduct their daily tasks and ensure humane care in accordance with current best practices. They must work collaboratively with other departments to create, implement, and evaluate programs, protocols, and Standard Operating Procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisory

• •Direct Supervision –Oversee line personnel functions including selecting, training, coaching, motivating, disciplining, and conducting formal performance evaluations.
• •Technical Supervision –Prescribe procedures, methods, materials, and formats for projects and work areas.
• •Functional Supervision –Manage recurring projects or activities involving employees to whom you provide direction and guidance.

Program Management

Daily

• •Supervise the work of Animal Care Team Leads, Animal Care Technicians, workforce partners and volunteers, prioritizing collaboration, and teamwork to ensure efficient animal flow through the shelter.
• •Create work schedules, monitor daily labor needs, review, and approve timesheets and ensure staff coverage aligns with Standard Operating Procedures for consistent population care.
• •Regularly work alongside individuals supervised; should equal no less than 50% of your time.
• •Actively support staff; promote the development of skills related to the advancement of their goals and our mission; recognize their individual contribution to the success of our organization; and utilize proactive performance management through daily staff huddles, one-on-ones, evaluations, rewards, coaching and as needed, disciplinary actions.
• •Manage and support volunteer resources through schedule oversight coaching, collaborating with the Volunteer Management Team, being available and approachable, and actively engaging with volunteers through daily interaction, regular meetings, and ongoing communication.
• •Maintain safe, sanitary, organized, and efficient work areas; consult with HSSW’s Safety Committee regarding staff, shelter, animal-related incidents, or equipment failures; follow all safety guidelines and address any immediate safety concerns or non-compliance issues to protect employees, volunteers, clients, animals, and the organization.

Weekly

• •Conduct a weekly inventory of supplies needed for animal care, including food, equipment, supplies, and tools and submit purchase orders.
• •Collaborate with the Veterinary Clinic team to evaluate the health of shelter animals; make recommendations for adoption, transfer, or euthanasia as appropriate.
• •Coordinate with the Population Management team to evaluate outcome or placement options for adoption, transfer, or euthanasia as appropriate.
• •Coordinate with the Animal Care Leadership to evaluate the behavior of shelter animals; make recommendations for adoption, foster or euthanasia as appropriate.

Monthly

Review opportunities for improvement in standard operating procedures.

Position Requirements

Licenses and/or Certifications

• •Valid driver’s license with HSSW insurable driving record. (Motor Vehicle Records Check required)
• •Certified to perform Euthanasia by Injection in Washington state, or the ability to become certified within one year of employment (HSSW provides this training at no cost to employees)

Knowledge

• •Animal Behavior: Basic knowledge and hands-on experience with animal behavior fundamentals, including body language and techniques for rewards-based training and behavior modification.
• •Organizational Standards: Understanding of and commitment to the organization’s guidelines and standards for placement of animals with behavior or medical issues
• •Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and experience with databases.

Competencies

• •Conflict Management
• •Composure
• •Delegation
• •Team Management
• •Initiative
• •Problem Solving and Decision Making
• •Relationship Building

Experience

• •Supervisory Experience: Minimum of 2 years in a supervisory role with a proven track record of successful team building.
• •Animal Handling and Behavior: Practical experience handling a variety of animal species (dogs, cats, and small animals) in a shelter or veterinary setting. Experience with animal behavior assessment, behavior modification, or training using rewards-based methods is preferred.
• •Customer Service and Conflict Resolution: Experience in roles requiring public interaction, with demonstrated skills in customer service, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.

General Expectations

• •Safely perform physical work for duration of shift.
• •Promote integration and utilization of volunteers and workforce partners.
• •Visible to employees, volunteers, and workforce partners; communicates with supervisor and directors on significant developments within the department.
• •Promotes communication and cooperation between HSSW departments.
• •Committed to maintaining the integrity of the HSSW’s mission, vision, and values.
• •Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment when working & communicating with the public, volunteers, workforce partners and staff.
• •Maintains a positive and respectful attitude, acting as a positive role model for others.
• •Demonstrates flexible and effective time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• •Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position.
• •Meets department productivity standards.
• •Take initiative to perform other duties as needed.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires you to be comfortable working and speaking with people and groups of people. Work duties and tasks may require walking, standing, sitting, stooping, squatting, bending, typing, speaking, seeing, listening, utilizing arms, hands & fingers for grasping, lifting, operating computers, answering telephone, and in working with animals. Position may call for repetitive use of hands to perform tasks in addition to operate computers, telephone, and cell ph