Director of Operations

Organization Overview:

The Potter League for Animals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the well-being of Rhode Island’s companion animals. As the most comprehensive animal welfare organization in RI, we impact more than 10,000 companion animals annually. For more than 95 years, we have been committed to serving the needs of people and animals in the RI community and across New England as a 4-star Charity Navigator-rated nonprofit, ranking in the top 1% nationally.

Position Description:

Department/Location: Operations – Animal Care & Adoption Center in Middletown, RI
Classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Supervises: Spay/Neuter Clinic Managers, Director of Shelter Medicine, Facilities Manager, Animal Care Center Manager, Community Navigator, and Behavior Manager

Job Purpose

The Director of Operations provides leadership and direction for the efficient and smooth operation of the Animal Care and Adoption Center and Community Programs, including animal receiving, veterinary services, lost and found, animal outcomes, customer care, and behavior and training. The Director of Operations ensures quality programming that is in accordance with Potter League’s mission, goals, management, and resources. The Director of Operations coordinates at the strategic and tactical levels with all other functions in the Potter League.

Accountabilities

• Works with the CEO and Board of Directors to set and meet annual fundraising goals.
• Develops, implements, and monitors programs to maintain and improve the standards of animal care and customer care.
• Creates procedures to follow policies and monitors all aspects of operations and shelter care, including cleanliness, feeding, housing, traffic flow, and space use. Ensures accurate recordkeeping and maintains quality control.
• Hires, supervises, evaluates, directs, and guides the performance of the spay and neuter clinic, shelter, medical, behavior and training, placement, and customer care staff, and effectively integrates and maintains volunteers to support department needs.
• Develops annual goals that include timetables, procedures, accountabilities, and periodic audits.
• Ensures that Potter League Animal Care Center and services are following all guidelines as set forth by law and municipal contracts. Provides reports as needed. Monitors statistics on animal population.
• Responds to internal and external customer needs in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
• Monitors the maintenance, cleanliness, and sanitation of equipment, animal care, training, and public areas.
• Supports finance and business functions, including cash handling, data entry, and daily transactions.
• Develops and reviews budgets and financial reports with the Director of Finance and Administration.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Monitors programs to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.
• Responsible for the achievement of department goals and financial objectives.
• Creates and adheres to an annual budget for all program areas within their purview. Is responsible for the achievement of department goals and financial objectives.
• Demonstrate initiative and a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management while working enthusiastically and cooperatively with all departments and key management staff to ensure that the goals of each department are met.
• Participates as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to lead and support overarching organizational strategies and goals.
• Adheres to all Code of Conduct standards and fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all staff, volunteers, patrons, and supporters.
• Genuinely enjoys people and instinctively shows kindness and compassion to others
• Other duties as requested.

Success Factors

The individual who will thrive in this position:

• Dynamic and outgoing with a sense of humor
• 5 years in a management role preferred
• Proven record of leadership and management skills
• Must understand leadership as a team player
• Flexibility in work hours
• Must be sympathetic to the mission and goals of the Organization
• Genuinely enjoys people and instinctively shows kindness and compassion to others
• Dynamic and outgoing with a sense of humor
• Finds staff and volunteer engagement energizing and refreshing
• Confident and self-assured, is proud of their individuality
• Driven, self-motivated, self-directed, and eager to achieve goals
• Outstanding project management skills and can plan weeks, months, and years ahead
• Can write professionally, creatively, and in a variety of styles to appeal to any audience
• CAWA (Certified Animal Welfare Administrator) is a plus

Expectations:

• 40-hour work week – flexibility in work hours
• Must be available to work weekends and occasional evenings
• Attending off-site continued education seminars or varying opportunities is required
• May be asked to work at any of the organization’s locations

Working Conditions:

Work is performed constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure to animals, including some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and cleaning agents. The person in this position needs to regularly move about the shelter to provide care to the shelter and the clients’ animals. Regularly operates a computer and other office equipment (i.e., calculator, copier, and printer). Occasionally positions self to handle animals of all sizes in a variety of areas and positions (low cages, high cages, on tables, on the floor, in vehicles, etc.). Constantly communicates with clients, staff members, and volunteers who have inquiries and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Occasionally moves animals weighing up to 50 pounds (i.e., through the center on leash or using other safe restraint and animal handling equipment, into and out of cages in the shelter, onto and off exam tables).

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is regularly required to use hands to fingers, handle, and talk and hear. The incumbent is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel or crouch. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

Benefits:

• Simple IRA
• Dental Insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

How to Apply:

Please send a resume and letter of interest to Brad Shear, CEO, at brads@potterleague.org.

Employment Disclaimer:  This job description is not a contract – management reserves the right to change its contents at any time. This organization complies with the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. This organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.