Shelter Manager

East Bay Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits fully paid

401(k) Retirement Plan with company 3%

Life insurance and disability coverage

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

East Bay SPCA in Oakland seeks a Shelter Manager to lead our care team, supervise operations, and optimize animal flow at the Oakland Adoption Center. You will coordinate intakes, maintain cleanliness, and ensure high standards of welfare and client service.

The role includes recruiting, training, coaching staff, and partnering with departments to enhance adoption outcomes and community impact. We offer strong benefits and a mission-driven work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of supervisory experience in nonprofit or animal welfare settings.
• Proven ability to lead teams, coordinate programs, and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develops and monitors shelter programs to improve animal care and flow.
• Oversees intake planning, cleaning protocols, and staff training.
• Manages staff scheduling, performance, and development.
• Collaborates with departments to ensure efficient operations and customer service.
• Supports fundraising and community outreach initiatives.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Staff coaching

Multi-tasking

Tools

Shelter Buddy

Job description

Shelter Manager

Job Location: Oakland Adoption Center - Oakland, CA 94621

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00

Overview

The Shelter Manager is an exciting opportunity to serve as a guiding force behind East Bay SPCA’s incredible team of animal care staff while making a true difference in the lives of countless animals and their people. This role is responsible for the overall supervision of the team, ensuring excellent animal care and animal flow through the shelter. The position coordinates intakes of animals, manages the cleanliness and orderliness of all animal areas and workspaces, and oversees supply ordering with the goal of maximizing the use of our space and increasing our processing efficiency. The Shelter Manager facilitates the recruitment, scheduling, training, development, performance, and coaching of staff. This position is a key leadership role and is empowered to continuously improve the shelter experience for both our clients and the animals in our care.

About East Bay SPCA

East Bay SPCA (EBSPCA) is a 501(c)3 non‑profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human‑animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. EBSPCA is one of the nation’s oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations.

Benefits

• Medical and dental benefits fully covered, optional vision coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution
• Life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off: 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year
• Paid pet adoption fees waived, discounted veterinary care, behavior and training classes
• Up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Develops, implements, and monitors shelter programs and practices to maintain and improve the standards of shelter animal care, evaluation, and flow
• Implements, monitors, and enforces protocols for cleaning and safety; develops training plans for staff and volunteers and ensures implementation of changes
• Responsible for pathway planning of incoming dogs and cats with the goal of reducing length of stay
• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices to facilitate stray animal intake and reunification/redemption efforts
• Uses a change management approach to prepare staff and programs for a shifting shelter animal demographic and intake type
• Maintains a working knowledge of developments and trends in animal welfare and sheltering and manages change to ensure industry best practices are being met
• Collaborates with Shelter Medicine and Behavior & Training departments to ensure efficient pathway planning/animal flow and proper behavioral and medical care of shelter animals is delivered in an efficient and timely manner
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with all other departments to promote teamwork, communication, and to achieve organizational goals
• May be required to transfer animals between all East Bay SPCA campuses and off‑site locations (fleet vehicle provided or mileage reimbursement if using personal vehicle)
• Develops and implements efficiency measures to streamline animal care processes
• Collaborates with Volunteer Services Manager to engage and utilize volunteers in Oakland shelter operations in appropriate ways that further the mission of East Bay SPCA
• Identifies special adoption needs animals and facilitates alternative placement options through proactive networking with shelter partners and rescue groups
• Collaborates with Shelter Operations Director and Animal Relocation & Transfer Specialist to maintain regular transfer protocols between shelters as well as with external partners
• In cooperation with shelter leadership team, evaluate animals for adoptions or euthanasia, perform euthanasia as needed, and ensure timely and accurate maintenance of euthanasia records
• Collaborates with philanthropy and marketing staff to proactively market animals for adoption, continually developing creative micro‑promotion strategies and evaluating impacts
• Ensures that animal records are accurate and updated
• Assists with developing methods to deliver high quality customer service and animal care, continually re‑evaluating the best use of our resources
• Supports collaborations for Operations teams with Philanthropy/Marketing departments and participates in events for fundraising, community outreach, and adoptions
• In cooperation with Humane Advocacy Manager develops alternatives to owner‑surrender cases
• Acts as a liaison with staff at East Bay SPCA’s municipal contracts
• Performs animal care and client care duties as needed
• Interacts with clients appropriately and efficiently while fostering empathy and delivering exceptional customer service

Staff Management

• Serves as a mentor and compassionate leader for all direct and indirect reports
• Responsible for staff selection, onboarding, training, and performance management, including timely performance evaluations, coaching, feedback, and discipline for animal care staff at the Oakland facility
• Oversee and coach the Shelter Supervisor, Animal Care Lead, and Animal Care Associate Lead, ensuring proper training of all new animal care employees and volunteers
• Assists in facilitating ongoing professional development for shelter staff
• Fosters teamwork, creativity and innovation to meet East Bay SPCA goals
• Exemplify forward thinking and collaboration for shelter staff
• Create and monitor staff work schedules including daily management of staff work assignments and being accountable for staff decisions and actions
• Participate and contribute constructively in staff meetings
• Communicates pertinent information to all shelter staff in a timely and effective manner
• Ensure adherence by shelter staff to East Bay SPCA policies and procedures
• Delegates and verifies completion of routine work assignments; models proper resource management strategies for leads and staff
• Reviews and approves staff timecards and paid time off requests
• Ensures that all staff is providing quality people care at all times to customers, volunteers and coworkers

Administrative

• Responsible for ensuring the maintenance of accurate records and statistics for the Oakland animal shelter
• Under the direction of the Director of Shelter Operations, assists with preparing annual operating budgets for the Oakland shelter, and monitors revenues and expenses monthly to avoid or mitigate negative variances
• Provides regular reporting and tracking for shelter statistics
• Oversees ordering of shelter supplies; ensures Oakland shelter inventory is maintained
• Reviews and approves invoices for payment of shelter‑related expenses
• Maintain the shelter facility and report necessary repairs and improvements to the Shelter Operations Director, Facilities Manager, and Vice President of Operations
• Assist with ensuring OSHA compliance
• Report and document accidents in a timely manner, ensure that incident reports, animal bite reports, and worker compensation claims are filed properly in accordance with established procedures and policies
• Responds to electronic and telephone messages in a timely and appropriate manner
• Shares in opening and closing responsibilities at Oakland shelter facility on a regular, and as needed, basis, including acting as the on‑duty leadership member on assigned holidays
• May be required to perform all duties at the Dublin shelter facility as needed

Qualifications

• Excellent team leadership abilities; typically demonstrated by at least three years of supervisory experience, including budgetary and staff supervision, preferably in a non‑profit or an animal welfare organization
• Experience working in an animal shelter or veterinary clinic required
• Proven organizational skills and effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to think critically, multi‑task, and thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment with a positive attitude
• Confident and competent animal handler with dogs and cats of all sizes, conditions, and temperaments. Must be able to leash, walk, and maintain control over large and extra‑large dogs, which can include dogs 90 pounds and over
• Ability to obtain Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit and California Certified Euthanasia Technician within six months of employment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with Shelter Buddy shelter software program is an advantage
• Pre‑employment background check and drug screening required; we do not screen for marijuana use
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA driver’s license, and proof of insurability required. Travel with both personal and company vehicles is required
• Multilingual fluency desired

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to detergents, cleaning products, wet and humid environments, and seasonal outdoor conditions
• Weekend work required; must be available to work evenings and holidays as needed
• Animal contacts and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur. Will occasionally handle sick, injured, and deceased animals
• Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations
• Animal waste contact, smells, and visual exposure are prevalent
• Must be able to lift, push, and/or pull 50 pounds on a frequent basis and occasionally lift up 75+ pounds with assistance
• Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and stooping