Shelter Operations Director

Shelter Operations Director

The Shelter Operations Director role is an exciting opportunity to serve as a guiding force behind East Bay SPCA’s incredible team of animal welfare professionals while making a true difference in the lives of countless animals and their people. This position will help East Bay SPCA continue to be a thought leader in the field of animal sheltering and will be critical in growing the capacity of our shelter programs.

The Shelter Operations Director reports to the Vice President of Operations and is directly responsible for ensuring the effective operations of the organization’s Animal Sheltering programs including : Animal Care, Customer Care, Shelter Medicine, Foster, and Animal Transfers. This position plays a key role in strategy development, process improvement, and operational leadership. The role involves monitoring program effectiveness and making data‑driven decisions to enhance operations.

East Bay SPCA is a 501(c)3 non‑profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human‑animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. EBSPCA is one of the nation’s oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about EBSPCA on our website at www.eastbayspca.org.

Category : Full‑time; Exempt

Location : Oakland and Dublin, as needed

Reports to : Vice President of Operations

Benefits : Medical and dental benefits are fully covered , along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution , life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off , starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as the Pets at Work Program, waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care , behavior and training classes, up to $75 / month public transit / van‑pool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices at both shelter sites to maintain and improve the standards of client and shelter animal care
• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices to expand adoption methods and numbers including, but not limited to, evaluating off‑site adoption opportunities and foster‑to‑adopt programming
• Develops, oversees, and monitors programs and practices to facilitate stray animal intake and reunification / redemption efforts
• Upholds East Bay SPCA’s belief in supporting clients and the community by providing accessible, inclusive services and resources. Works creatively with the community to facilitate owner surrender, shelter diversion, and out‑of‑shelter rehoming options
• Uses a change management approach to prepare staff and programs for a shifting shelter animal demographic and intake type
• Builds and maintains a network of rescue and shelter partners to facilitate appropriate adoption alternative placements
• Maintains a working knowledge of developments and trends in animal welfare and sheltering and manages change to ensure industry best practices are being met
• Oversees the transfer and intake of cats and dogs at both facilities
• Participates in the evaluation of animals for adoption, rescue, or other outcomes
• Performs animal euthanasia when required and oversees the maintenance of euthanasia records
• Models efficient and appropriate interaction with clients, promoting good public relations
• Actively encourages volunteer participation; collaborates with the Volunteer Services Manager to engage volunteers at the shelters in appropriate ways that further the mission of East Bay SPCA
• Collaborates daily with Shelter Medicine and Behavior & Training departments to ensure efficient pathway planning and animal flow, providing oversight of the inventory of shelter animals.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with other departments including Marketing & Communications, Philanthropy, Volunteer Services, and Behavior & Training to promote teamwork, communication, and to achieve organizational goals
• May be required to transfer animals between all East Bay SPCA campuses and off‑site locations (fleet vehicle provided or mileage reimbursement if using personal vehicle)
• Serves as a representative of East Bay SPCA leadership to clients and, in partnership with managerial staff, resolves customer concerns.
• Leads collaborations for Operations teams with Philanthropy / Marketing departments and participates in events for fundraising, community outreach, and adoptions.

Staff Management

Administrative

Qualifications

Working Conditions

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Management and Manufacturing

Industries

Non‑profit Organizations

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