Shelter Manager

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Wyoming (MN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwoods Humane Society seeks a Shelter Manager to lead the shelter, veterinary staff, and volunteers. You will oversee intake, care, and placement of animals, ensure welfare standards, and drive program improvements with strong team leadership.

This exempt, full‑time role emphasizes compassion, collaboration, and operational excellence. You will supervise staff across care, operations, and customer service, while maintaining compliance and effective communication with leadership.

Qualifications

• Belief in NHS mission and ability to work around animals.
• Proven supervisory abilities in operations, preferably non-profit.
• Education: post-secondary and vet tech experience; shelter exp preferred.
• Computer skills include Microsoft Office, email and social media.
• Knowledge of animal shelter laws and regulations.
• Valid driver’s license may be necessary to transport live animals.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and support shelter and veterinary staff through hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluations.
• Build a collaborative team environment; support staff and volunteers, address concerns, and mitigate compassion fatigue.
• Communicate animal care needs clearly to ensure quick, appropriate actions.
• Oversee intake to adoption processes, including health and temperament assessments and care.
• Develop and maintain care programs and procedures aligned with NHS mission.
• Maintain accurate records and readiness for regulatory inspections.

Skills

Animal care supervision

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Training and coaching

Communication

Flexibility

Data analysis and reporting

Education

Post-secondary education

Vet tech experience

Shelter experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Email

Social media

Job description

Shelter Manager

Northwoods Humane Society

Wyoming, MN

Position Purpose

The Shelter Manager of Northwoods Humane Society (NHS) oversees operations of the shelter and leads a team with a focus on ensuring that all animals are receiving the best care possible during their stay at and that their time here, from intake to placement, is as brief as possible. This position makes certain that all direct reports and volunteers who provide direct care to the animals are following processes and protocols that ensure all animals’ physical and mental needs are being met.

Accountability

Reports to: Executive Director (ED)

Directly Supervises: Assistant Shelter Manager, Animal Care, Veterinary, and Customer Service staff

Status

Full-Time, exempt position, schedule is typically Monday through Friday but does require occasional weekend, evening, on -call or holiday hours. This is an in-person position with occasional option for remote work.

Management/Supervision

• Lead, supervise, and support shelter and veterinary staff through hiring, training, coaching, scheduling, performance evaluations, regular one-on-one meetings, and team meetings.

• Build a positive and collaborative team environment by supporting effective teamwork between staff and volunteers, addressing concerns promptly, and providing resources and support for compassion fatigue.

• Communicate clearly about animal care and staff needs to ensure concerns affecting animal well-being are addressed quickly and appropriately.

Animal Care

• Build and oversee a staff team that provides care and placement of all animals from intake through adoption or other outcome, including health and temperament assessments, enrichment, behavior support, veterinary care, and placement decisions. Ensure that best practices in animal welfare standards of care are being followed.

• Develop, implement, and maintain animal care programs, policies, and procedures that support the mission and goals of NHS, including animal transfer programs and ongoing improvements to care.

• Maintain compliance and accurate records by ensuring required documentation is complete and properly stored, the shelter is ready for regulatory inspections, and the ED is informed of issues that may affect the animals.

Shelter Operations

• Oversee animal care and shelter operations to ensure animals receive appropriate care from intake through placement or outcome, and that animal care and medical protocols are current, followed, and effective.

• Ensure safe, effective, and professional shelter operations by maintaining the building, equipment, and grounds; communicating animal health and behavior information to the ED and Leadership Team; and representing NHS positively with staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.

• Lead the Operations Team in effectively defining, implementing and updating shelter process and protocol that supports the mission of Northwoods and follows best practices in animal care and shelter operations.

Shelter Administration

• Oversee shelter resources and facilities by managing supplies, property maintenance, equipment, and grounds to ensure the shelter is safe, clean, and operational.

• Provide on-site leadership and support during scheduled shifts by directing staff, resolving operational issues, and supporting animal care, veterinary, surgery, and customer service teams.

• Ensure safe and effective shelter operations by monitoring conditions, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and external safety regulations.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• A belief in the mission of NHS and the ability to work around animals

• Proven employee and operational supervisory abilities, preferably in a non-profit

• Education: Post-secondary and vet tech experience, shelter experience preferred

• Computer skills which include: Microsoft Office, email and social media

• Knowledge of legislation/laws applicable to animal shelters

• A valid driver’s license-may be necessary to transport live animals in a safe manner

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The preferred candidate will possess the following:

• Understanding of mission, vision, goals and objectives

• Use of technology (computer, software, internet, social media)

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop good relationships with colleagues, volunteers, customers and community members.

• Ability to inspire/motivate staff

• Training and coaching

• Knowledge of animal behavior assessment, enrichment and modification for cats and dogs

• Willingness to learn, stay abreast of and apply changes regarding best practices in animal welfare standards of care

• Professional writing skills

• Understanding the principles of team building

• Ability to shift attention from one task to another and balance multiple obligations at one time

• Skills to manage change and ability to adjust quickly to situations

• Ability to utilize data for analysis and reporting

• Demonstrate d skills for safety awareness in all work environments

• Self-motivation

• Organizational skills to manage situational and day-to-day routine complexities

• Effective verbal communication skills

• Flexibility in scheduling to accommodate priorities