Shelter Operations Coordinator

The Renaissance Network, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Renaissance Network, Inc. is seeking a Shelter Operations Coordinator for Gifford Cat Shelter in Boston, Massachusetts. The role involves overseeing daily operations, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring excellent animal care. Ideal candidates will be organized, adaptable, and have a passion for animal welfare.

Responsibilities include managing shelter operations, performing cat care tasks, and engaging with visitors. Candidates should have experience in operations and strong people management skills. A driver's license and the ability to lift up to 40 lbs. are required.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in operations, volunteer coordination, customer service, nonprofit administration, or animal welfare.
• Must be able to lift, move, or carry cats or objects weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the management of day-to-day shelter operations.
• Support and coordinate shelter operations across various areas.
• Perform daily cat care duties and monitor cats for health conditions.
• Interface politely with shelter visitors and screen adoption applicants.

Skills

Organized

Adaptable

Customer service

People management

Job description

Gifford Cat Shelter is seeking a hands‑on Shelter Operations Coordinator to help oversee the daily operations of their free‑roam, no‑kill cat shelter. This role combines operations, volunteer coordination, adoptions, and direct animal care to ensure their cats receive exceptional care and their visitors, adopters, and volunteers have a positive experience.

Gifford is looking for someone who is organized, adaptable, and eager to learn. While previous animal care experience is a plus, we welcome candidates with transferable operations or customer‑facing experience who are passionate about our mission and ready to jump in wherever needed.

Who Will Thrive in This Role

• Passionate about cats and animal welfare
• A quick learner with a strong work ethic
• Comfortable balancing administrative responsibilities with hands‑on shelter work
• Calm, compassionate, and able to make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment
• Excited to work alongside volunteers, staff, adopters, and community members

Major Responsibilities

• Assist in the management of day‑to‑day shelter operations
• Support and coordinate shelter operations across adoptions, volunteer engagement, foster coordination, medical and behavioral care, facilities, fundraising, marketing, intake, technology, and inventory management
• Perform daily cat care duties such as preparing food, feeding and providing water, cleaning and disinfecting cat areas, washing litter boxes, tools, and dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, and washing debris from walls, beds, and any other areas
• Monitor healthy, sick, quarantined, and injured cats for unusual physical and behavioral conditions; communicate concerns to the shelter manager and act upon feedback
• Medicate or assist in the medication of cats, as directed by the shelter’s veterinarian or shelter manager
• Interface politely with people visiting the shelter
• Responsible for screening adoption applicants, matching cats to potential owners, and introducing cats to the public, while providing information regarding pet‑owner responsibilities, spaying, neutering, vaccinations, and adoptions, and collecting donations and adoption fees
• Receive cats to be admitted for shelter care and properly identify and release animals to their owners, as directed by the Shelter Manager
• Complete various records and forms such as medical sheets, logs of controlled medication dispensed, and task lists
• Restock supplies and note low inventory to management
• Work alongside and guide volunteer activities, providing tips and knowledge as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Must have a passion for cats
• Several years of experience in operations, volunteer coordination, customer service, nonprofit administration, hospitality, veterinary, animal welfare, or other roles requiring strong organization, multitasking, and people management
• Highly organized, driven and detail‑oriented
• Gifford Cat Shelter is staffed 365 days a year; ability to work one weekend day per week required
• Must be able to lift, move, or carry cats or objects weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Strong customer service/client‑facing skills
• Driver’s License required

The Renaissance Network (TRN) is an equal opportunity employer. TRN complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.