Specialist, Shelter Engagement

Best Friends Animal Society; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Pet reimbursement

HSA

401(k)

Job summary

Best Friends Animal Society is hiring a Shelter Engagement Specialist to support partner shelters by advancing lifesaving programs, traveling regionally, and mentoring shelter staff and volunteers. You will help shelters implement proven programs and adopt best practices to improve save rates while representing our mission with staff and partners.

The role requires shelter background, comfort with dogs and cats, and strong problem‑solving and relationship-building skills.

Qualifications

• Background in animal sheltering is required (municipal/government/private shelter).
• Ability to identify medical/behavioral traits and body language of dogs and cats.
• Experience leading teams and implementing programs preferred.
• Experience driving large multi-passenger vehicles is a plus.
• Bilingual/multilingual skills preferred but not required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and shelter software is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate kindness and inclusion, serving as a role model for authenticity and compassion.
• Build relationships with shelters and provide consultative guidance to sustain high save rates.
• Travel to shelters to evaluate needs and transport animals as part of Northwest Arkansas program.
• Support shelters by guiding leadership, accountability, and lifesaving practices.
• Deliver superior customer service to partners and donors; develop lifesaving resources.
• Lead volunteers and teams to maximize lifesaving capacity.

Skills

Shelter experience

Dog/cat behavior

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Bilingual

Microsoft Office

Shelter software

Advocacy

Driving large vehicles

Tools

Shelter software

Job description

The Best Friend's Mission is to do nothing short of making history by bringing about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. Our goal is that every animal shelter in every community in the country be no kill.

The fact is, we have a great culture, populated by fun, dedicated, and brilliant people. But we're always looking for talented people who can help us make history, and that's where you come in.

Location:Remote in Central Arkansas - candidate will need to be located in Little Rock and surrounding areas (travel is expected to be up to 75% within the region)

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to start at $58,656 annually, plus great benefits!

Prison Break. Breakout. Fixer Upper. This Old House.

Imagine if there was a job where day-to-day was a combination of these types of shows, but you were assisting dogs and cats to bust out of traditional shelters, where staff love them but often don’t have enough resources to save them. Then you get to share the resources we have to help the shelters enhance their facilities and programs.

So, not only do you get to help dogs and cats, but you also get to help the staff who try so hard and care so much by giving them support to improve their shelter, make their jobs more rewarding, and to save more animals.

Shelter Engagement Specialists are on the front line of lifesaving. They play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission by selecting and pulling animals from priority shelters, and then helping priority shelter partners make enhancements to their shelter as well as develop or enhance lifesaving programming.

We’re seeking someone who has experience working in animal shelters, is savvy with dogs, cats, and PEOPLE, loves problem solving, and is not afraid to get covered in fur to bring about the future of animal sheltering.

Culture Statement and Responsibility:We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with each other, our visitors, volunteers, and the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others, and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• Build relationships with assigned shelters and provide consultative guidance, coaching and strategic mentorship on an ongoing basis to help shelters implement programming to achieve and sustain a 90% save rate. These areas include; shelter operations, lifesaving programs and proven strategies, community engagement, and more; including participating in direct, hands-on lifesaving work at partner shelter locations, as well as virtually
• Travel to shelters to evaluate population needs and placement opportunities for dogs and cats for our Northwest Arkansas program and safely transport them to the center.
• Support partner shelters by partnering with shelter leaders and staff to assess day-to-day operational challenges, reinforce accountability, and guide adoption of effective lifesaving practices as needed to provide needed lifesaving training to help them achieve and sustain no-kill; participate in team-building activities with shelter staff as needed to enhance buy-in.
• Deliver superior customer service to partner shelters, community stakeholders and others. Develop and maintain a robust knowledge of Best Friends’ and animal welfare standard best practices to support lifesaving and care.
• Serve as a mission ambassador, representing Best Friends’ mission and vision within partner shelters; leading training, consultation, and mentoring efforts; developing and refining resources for partner shelters on proven programs support their success in achieving no-kill; support the maintenance of statistics within priority partners shelters.
• Lead and empower volunteers and volunteer teams in support of programs with the goal ofutilizingvolunteers to the greatest extent possible to expand Best Friends lifesavingcapacity; deliver and lead superior customer service.
• Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, refine, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals exercise judgment in prioritizing work, follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping; respect partner policies when working in partner facilities.
• Travel up to 75% within the state of Arkansas and surrounding states.

Skills and Experience:

• Background in animal shelteringworkingin an animal shelter is required, preferablyin a municipal, government orprivateshelter withcontractualanimal control responsibilities.
• Basic ability toidentifyand speak to medical and behavioral characteristics, as well as body language of dogs and cats.
• Ability to work in an environment that is notno-kill,remainingprofessional, nonjudgmental, and supportive of that shelter’s staff.
• Experience with and comfortability driving large multi-passenger vehicles or willingness to learn.
• Experience leading teams and implementing programs is preferred but notrequired.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred but notrequired.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able toget alongwith people fromdifferent backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative toassistin any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.
• Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.
• Must be able to travel regularly up to 75% for evaluating and transporting pets, in shelter presentations, and training. Overnight stays when needed.
• Exposure to dogs and cats of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns.
• Ability to be in a shelter environment and work in the presence of both cats and dogs, including large numbers of cats and dogs as in a shelter setting, and in shelters that are not yet no-kill.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Must be able to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending. Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, arm, and hand motion. Standing, sitting, or walking for prolonged periods of time.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.

Culture Statement and Responsibility

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Best Friends received a 2022 Top Workplaces USA award from Energage.

We offer competitive pay including the opportunity to receive a discretionary bonus based on performance.

We offer medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability, dependent care reimbursement, pet sitting reimbursement when traveling for work, flexible spending account, and health savings account.

We offer generous paid time off, nine paid holidays annually, an auto insurance discount, and legal and identity theft coverage.

For added well-being support, we offer pawternity leave for employees to have time to care for their personal pets, mental health support, and an employee assistance program.

We also offer a generous 401(k) savings plan.

Do you want to love where you work and help make history by ending the killing of pets in shelters?

Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status. Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.