Director of Shelter Operations

About Us:
The Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC) is a compassionate care shelter and non-profit
organization dedicated to the protection and adoption of animals in need throughout Ventura County.
Our mission: The Humane Society of Ventura County, through shelter, adoptions, programs, and
services, boldly ensures the welfare of animals in Ventura County. As a private non-profit, all of our
programs, services, and outreach efforts are funded entirely by the generosity of our community.

Our incoming Director of Shelter Operations will play a key role in implementing a new strategic plan,
expansion of services, and a multi-phase master plan that includes a new state-of-the-art kennel and
other expanded facilities. We're committed to serving the growing needs of animals and people in our
service area, and we're looking for the DSO who will join our exceptional leadership team and
help us achieve - and exceed - our goals.

About the Position:
The Director of Shelter Operations (DSO) holds a pivotal role within HSVC's leadership team.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the DSO spearheads the strategic direction and
management necessary for the organization's smooth functioning and expansion, ensuring financial
strength and operating efficiency. This encompasses implementing operational controls,
administrative protocols, and systems crucial for efficient operations and sustained growth. The DSO
oversees the day-to-day operations and decision-making across all facets of shelter operations,
including managing shelter facilities, clinic and field services, various programs and services, animal
welfare, customer relations, safety protocols, and staff supervision.

The ideal candidate is a visionary, strategic, and communicative leader who authentically champions
best practices and standards of care for animals. This person will energetically lead, coach, and
support their staff with genuine enthusiasm. Embrace technical innovation, and actively engage with
the community to further HSVC's life-saving mission and vision while upholding our core values of
compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity, and boldness.

Essential Job Functions:
General Management:

• Operations: Oversee the daily operations, programs, and services at HSVC.
• Culture: Cultivate a culture of excellence, efficiency, and effectiveness across the organization
  while creating and maintaining high standards of customer service.
• Recordkeeping: Ensure that appropriate records are accurately created, maintained, and
  reported during the daily operations of the shelter and clinic.
• Plans and objectives: Assist the Executive Director with planning and budgeting. Analyze data
  and adjust processes and programs to achieve organizational goals.
• Implementation: Ensure that all established procedures and policies of the organization are
  appropriate, in keeping with current best practices, and are reliably implemented.
• Evaluate and revise: Periodically review and assess policies, processes, and programs working
  within the organization to make changes required to meet the needs of the animals, staff, and
  community.
• Walk-throughs: Perform daily walk-throughs of the shelter to guarantee proper sanitation,
  care, feeding, and disposition of the animals. This is to ensure that animals are moving
  through the system efficiently and are made available for adoption in a timely manner.
• Legal compliance: Follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding animal housing, care,
  admission, disposition, and employee work-related matters. Ensure compliance with HSVC
  contractual agreements.

Animal Care:

• Animal care and flow: Evaluate, develop, implement, manage, and monitor animal care and
  flow processes at the shelter and clinic including, but not limited to, admissions, animal
  handling, sanitation, feeding, health care, adoptions, transfers, foster care, and euthanasia.
• Standards of care: Ensure high standards of care for the animals under the care of HSVC's
  shelter and clinic, including both physical and mental well-being.
• Humane treatment: Promote a caring attitude toward all animals and treat animals humanely
  and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances including those who are sick,
  injured, feral, or aggressive.
  

Customer Service:

• High-quality service: Model outstanding customer service including efficient, courteous
  interactions with members of the public.
• Courtesy: Treat staff, volunteers, supporters, officials, and the public with dignity, respect, and
  courtesy. Foster a collaborative atmosphere and serve as a role model to inspire community
  support, aiding HSVC in achieving its goals.
  

Staffing:

• Management: Schedule, assign, supervise, and provide clear expectations for managers and
  employees including performance reviews and management.
• Training: Ensure ongoing training, guidance, and development of the management team and
  provide training for front-line staff, ensuring that all required training is current.
• Safety: Work with HR to ensure that appropriate safety programs and training are in place to
  comply with appropriate safety standards including OSHA compliance.
• Hiring: Interview, select, hire, and train staff and other employees consistent with the
  organization's mission, contracts, and California law.
  

Community Engagement:

• Engagement: Work with the Executive Director to cultivate and encourage community
  engagement efforts including working with volunteers, rescue groups, other shelters,
  government agencies, private businesses, grant funding entities, other nonprofits, and the
  veterinary community.
• Promotion: Collaborate with the Executive Director and marketing team to ensure effective
  promotion for adoptions, spay/neuter, events as well as for individual animals and needed
  equipment and supplies.
• Participate in HSVC events as needed.

Job Requirements:
Minimum of three years of experience in animal sheltering and familiarity with animal welfare
issues
Minimum of 3 years of management experience, preferably with 20+ employees
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) - preferred
College degree is strongly preferred
Valid CA Driver's license and clean driving record