Bestfriends

Shelter Engagement Specialist

Bentonville, AR

No sponsorshipDetected 30 days ago

StatisticsCustomer SupportAR/VRCommunicationProblem SolvingMentoringPublic SpeakingMicrosoft Office

About the role

Imagine if there was a job where the day-to-day was a combination of these types of shows, but you were helping 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!
Shelter Engagement Specialists are on the front line of lifesaving.

Responsibilities

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments.
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.
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.
Lead and empower volunteers and volunteer teams in support of programs with the goal of utilizing volunteers to the greatest extent possible to expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; 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.
Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends' positions on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.
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.
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 developing or enhancing lifesaving programming.

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 50% for evaluating and transporting pets, in shelter presentations, and training.
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.
Background in animal sheltering working in an animal shelter is required, preferably in a municipal, government or private shelter with contractual animal control responsibilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

Skills

Basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics, as well as body language of dogs and cats.
Ability to work in an environment that is not no-kill, remaining professional, 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 not required.
Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred but not required.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

Compensation

This position's hiring range is anticipated to start at $58,656 annually, plus great benefits!

Benefits

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.

Company info

We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback.
By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Equal opportunity

Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives.

Visa & Work Authorization

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.

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This listing is sourced directly from Bestfriends's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.