Shelter Engagement  Specialist

Location: Bentonville, AR

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to start at $58,656 annually, plus great benefits!

Prison Break. Breakout. Fixer Upper. This Old House.

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!

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.

Shelter Engagement Specialists are on the front line of lifesaving. 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.

We’re seeking someone who has experience working in animal shelters,  is savvy with dogs, cats, and PEOPLE, loves problem solving, and is not afraid to get covered in fur to bring about the future of animal sheltering. Does this sound like a dream job to you? If so, apply today for the Shelter Engagement Specialist role and make that dream a reality! 

Culture Statement and Responsibility: We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with each other, our visitors, volunteers, and the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others, and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.

• 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. These areas include; shelter operations, lifesaving programs and proven strategies, community engagement, and more; including participating in direct, hands-on lifesaving work at partner shelter locations, as well as virtually

• Travel to shelters to evaluate population needs and placement opportunities for dogs and cats for our Northwest Arkansas program and safely transport them to the center. 

• 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.

• Serve as a mission ambassador, representing Best Friends’ mission and vision within partner shelters; leading training, consultation, and mentoring efforts; developing and refining resources for partner shelters on proven programs support their success in achieving no-kill; support the maintenance of statistics within priority partners shelters.

• 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.

Skills and Experience:

• Background in animal sheltering working in an animal shelter is required, preferably in a municipal, government or private shelter with contractual animal control responsibilities.

• 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.   

• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.    

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.   

• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.  

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.  

• Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors. 

Physical 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. Overnight stays when needed.

• 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.  

• 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.

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.   

• Must be able to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.    

• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work. 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

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.