The Opportunity: Director of Shelter Services 

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) seeks a Director of Shelter Services to lead and oversee the organization’s animal sheltering services, programs, and operations. This position is like others titled director of operations with oversight of the animal shelter, the animal population and evaluation department, and facilities.

The director develops strategies and programs to ensure each department’s services provide the highest quality of care and attention to animals in the shelter, our clients, and our communities. The director works collaboratively with the CEO, board of directors, and directors’ team to ensure activities meet service, program, and revenue objectives and comply with regulatory requirements. HSBV is a socially conscious shelter that is open admission with animal control housing contracts.

You are an excellent candidate for this role if you are looking to grow your current operational skillset or in search of that special opportunity to infuse your animal behavior savvy into your day-to-day. Whether you are seeking the next step in your career or for a work culture that allows your creativity to shine, HSBV is an organization where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in a supportive environment and find purpose while making an impact. Your strong client service, analytical, and communication skills coupled with your animal sheltering or animal behavior experience make you a trusted operational strategist among coworkers and leadership.

We encourage you to apply if you have experience that is transferable, even if it’s not a perfect match. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans. HSBV seeks to employ motivated, innovative, and talented individuals who bring passion, expertise, and a positive attitude to the workplace. Our employees embody our internal values: Kindness, Trust, Optimism, Humility, Collaboration, and Ingenuity. Applications will be accepted through August 20 or until the position is filled.  To apply, submit resume and cover letter (preferred) through our careers page. 

Position Summary: 

Organizational Leadership 

• Ensures quality service is provided to people and animals internally and externally.
• Represents HSBV at special events, fundraisers, and animal welfare-related functions and meetings.
• In collaboration with the executive team, advises, prepares and actively contributes to the budget on an annual basis to include forecasted and projected income and expenses.
• Participates in the Strategic Planning Committee and completes assigned objectives; identifies key statistical metrics for program analysis and refinement.
• Facilitates the cultivation of relationships with current and potential donors, community partners, and industry collaborators.
• Advises the CEO in the formulation of department objectives, program direction, and business plans to ensure effective and sustainable operations; analyzes trends in animal sheltering and recommends modifications or improvements.
• Represents HSBV on local and State disaster response groups.  Develops disaster response plan, provides training for staff and volunteers to respond to disasters, and implements the emergency response plan for the organization.
• Provides direction and resolution for escalated client or personnel concerns.

Animal Shelter Operations, Programs, and Services 

• Oversees the shelter’s evaluation, transfer, foster, animal care, and adoption programs; partners with animal behavior leadership to develop behavior modification and enrichment programs for shelter animals.
• Directs and ensures HSBV’s shelter animal care, programs, services, and client support operate in a coordinated manner consistent with HSBV’s policies and philosophy.
• Oversees the general flow of animals and especially mandated holds or confinement, and programs such as emergency boarding and cruelty cases; works collaboratively with local animal control agencies.
• Provides guidance and leadership in developing and implementing strategies to reduce length of stay for all animals and optimize services.
• Ensures HSBV meets state and local rules and regulations, including PACFA licensing and reporting, and follows the tenets of a Socially Conscious Sheltering.
• Organizes staff and volunteer training and meetings to share ideas and suggestions designed to improve and advance the organization and build team collaboration.
• Works collaboratively with the volunteer department to plan, develop, and implement programs and the successful integration of volunteers assigned to support the department.
• Directly supervises the shelter managers, behavior and health manager, and facilities manager; indirectly supervises supporting coordinators and shelter employees.
• Helps develop and stewards onboarding, offboarding, and staff development, including client service, animal care, safety, and data entry training.

Facilities and Maintenance 

• Oversees building and facility improvement goals, plans, and expenses; prioritizes projects and directs the Facilities Manager’s project implementation.
• Considers capital improvements and monitors facility, equipment, and vehicle maintenance and replacement plans. May be an integral contributor to large-scale construction or renovation projects.
• Responsible for building security systems including activating and overseeing standard operating procedures for building closures and modified schedules during holidays, events, and emergencies.
• This advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all job activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required of the employee to perform this job.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s or associate degree preferred, or equivalent combination of relevant experience and education. Five years of successful management of personnel and operations; demonstrated experience in leading customer service. Five years’ experience working with the public, especially in leadership positions with operational oversight, preferably in an animal shelter setting. We will also consider any combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position’s duties. Must possess a Colorado Driver’s License with a good, insurable driving record. Must be willing to perform euthanasia of animals and be certified to perform euthanasia within one month of hire. Strong animal behavior and behavior modification acumen preferred, possessing the credentials CPDT-KA or KPA-CTP a plus. Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Program planning and evaluation; strategic planning; identifying priorities, setting goals and objectives. Understanding of management strategies and styles for supervising teams, individuals, and/or volunteers to produce positive results. Demonstrated ability to model excellent customer service and be seen as a mentor to others to provide excellent customer service. Knowledge of animal shelter operations, animal care, behavior and health, animal handling, and restraint techniques. Competencies in conflict management, excellent verbal and writing skills, and ability to present/speak in public. Knowledge of state and county laws on animal regulations includes holding times, ownership issues, bite quarantines, and cruelty cases. Must be competent in organizing; be able to coordinate several tasks at once, composed under pressure, and have a high degree of independent judgment to accomplish work assignments and requests. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; proficient with shelter management software programs, preferably PetPoint. Committed to maintaining the integrity of HSBV’s animal care, Socially Conscious Sheltering, and the Humane Society of Boulder Valley mission.

What We Offer:  
The anticipated salary range for this position is $82,500 to $103,000 per year. This salary range is the Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s estimate for this position and actual compensation will be based on factors including but not limited to the depth and extent of relevant experience, education, and additional training/certifications for preferred skills. Included in the compensation package:

• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• Dental and vision plans
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses
• Health savings accounts with qualified health plan
• Retirement plan options with employer match
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Discounts on adoptions, pet food, pet supplies, veterinary care, and training services
• Complimentary pet boarding
• Paid sabbatical leave based on length of service

About the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV): The Humane Society of Boulder Valley is a community supported, open-door facility that provides shelter, medical care, and behavioral rehabilitation to approximately 5,000 animals annually. Its programs are inspired by its mission to protect and enhance the lives of companion animals by promoting healthy relationships between pets and people Since its inception in 1902, HSBV has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in the community and a national leader in animal welfare.

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, ancestry, military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
A pre-employment background check and drug screen are required for all positions.