Operations Director

HRB; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Sequoia Humane Society in Eureka, CA is seeking an Operations Director to oversee daily shelter operations, facilities, staff supervision, and animal care. You will align operations with policy, safety, and welfare standards while driving efficient workflows and exceptional service.

Reporting to the CEO, this exempt, onsite role leads staffing, scheduling, inventory, and coordination with veterinary partners to support adoption and welfare goals in the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of management and leadership experience.
• Strong organizational, operational planning, and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and manage time effectively.
• Experience with staff scheduling, workforce coordination, performance management, and evaluations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and positive public engagement.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and compliance standards.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and ability to master new platforms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily shelter operations, facility workflow, and safety.
• Lead staffing, scheduling, training, and performance evaluations.
• Coordinate animal care, medical workflow, and partnerships with veterinarians.
• Monitor inventory, supplies, and vendor services.
• Represent the organization in the community and manage public events.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety requirements, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Staff scheduling

Operations planning

Customer service

Communication skills

Recordkeeping

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Tools

Google Workspace

QuickBooks

ShelterLuv

HomeBase

Bloomerang

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Director is responsible for the daily onsite management of shelter operations, facilities, staff supervision, animal care, scheduling, and efficiency. This position supports and advances Sequoia Humane Society's mission by providing leadership that ensures shelter, animal care programs, and facilities operate safely, efficiently, and effectively. The Operations Director is responsible for maintaining compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and animal welfare best practices while fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, exceptional customer service, and compassionate care. The Operations Director provides leadership for the day-to-day operations of Sequoia Humane Society, overseeing workforce coordination, animal care operations, facility maintenance and safety. This position ensures exceptional customer service, promotes a positive, accountable, and mission-driven workplace culture, and collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to achieve organizational goals. The Operations Director supports the development and implementation of expanded programs, services, and facilities to meet evolving community and animal welfare needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Daily Shelter Operations:

• Manage day-to-day shelter operations and facility workflow.
• Apply organizational policies and protocols to promote safe, timely, and successful outcomes.
• Ensure compliant and proper animal care, sanitation, feeding, enrichment, and housing standards.
• Manage kennel capacity, animal flow, and efficiency.
• Coordinate the intake and outcome of animals to maintain appropriate shelter capacity while balancing animal welfare, resources, and community needs.
• Monitor adoption and foster performance metrics, identify barriers to placement, and work collaboratively with staff to achieve adoption and live outcome goals while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and customer service.
• Address organizational concerns to the CEO.

Facilities Management:

• Oversee facility maintenance, cleanliness, safety, security, and vendor services.
• Monitor facility-related expenses and recommend maintenance and capital improvement priorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, regulatory, and workplace requirements.

Staff Leadership

• Supervise all staff and volunteers.
• Monitor staffing efficiency, attendance, and performance.
• Participate in employee recruitment, onboarding, training, coaching, and evaluations.
• Support employee development and foster a positive team culture.

Animal Care Coordination:

• Oversee animal care operations, medical workflow coordination, and treatment tracking.
• Coordinate with veterinary partners and transfer organizations.
• Monitor animal behavior, housing needs, enrichment standards, and quality of care.
• Perform ongoing quality assurance to ensure proper documentation, recordkeeping, and data accuracy.
• Support adoption readiness and placement goals.

Operational

• Maintain supply records and manage inventory.

Administration:

• Maintain supply records and manage inventory.
• Create and manage staff schedules.
• Ensure compliance with shelter policies, procedures, and safety protocols.

Customer Service and Public Interaction:

• Represent the organization positively onsite and within the community.
• Compassionately facilitate adoptions and foster placements.
• Positively engage and retain volunteers.
• Oversee public events and community outreach activities.
• Address and resolve community concerns professionally and efficiently.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of three years of management and leadership experience
• Strong organizational, operational planning, and project management skills
• Proven ability to prioritize competing demands, and manage time effectively
• Experience with staff scheduling, workforce coordination, performance management, and evaluations
• Strong critical thinking, problem assessment, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, leadership, veterinary partners, community stakeholders, and the public.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and positive public engagement
• Ability to maintain accurate records, documentation, and compliance standards
• Proficiency with current technology such as Google Workspace, and ability to master new platforms
• Physical ability to safely lift up to 50lbs, to handle and restrain animals, and to move operational supplies.
• Valid California driver's license and ability to meet organizational driving requirements.

Note: The work is performed at an animal shelter with potential for exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, high noise levels, zoonotic disease, animal waste and hazardous chemicals requiring OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in animal welfare, rescue organizations, or related fields.
• Registered Veterinary Technician, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of shelter operations and animal welfare standards.
• Experience managing volunteers, foster programs, and community engagement initiatives.
• Proficiency with Quickbooks, ShelterLuv, HomeBase, Bloomerang, and social media platforms.
• Understanding of nonprofit operations, budgeting, and resource management.
• Experience overseeing facility operations, maintenance coordination, workplace safety, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of workplace safety practices, OSHA compliance, and risk management principles.

BACKGROUND CHECK

This position may have access to financial information, purchasing authority, cash handling responsibilities, and confidential information. A background check will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $72,000-$80,000

*LOCATION: 6073 Loma Avenue, Eureka CA 95503

*Relocation reimbursement is not available for this role.

This position is an exempt onsite management role responsible for overseeing daily shelter operations, facilities, supervising staff and volunteers, managing schedules and workflows, and ensuring efficient and compliant operations. The position regularly requires independent judgment and discretion in conducting assigned responsibilities. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Duties, responsibilities, and organizational needs may change at any time. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary to support the mission and operations of Sequoia Humane Society. Employment with Sequoia Humane Society is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, subject to applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Sequoia Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.