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.

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.

• 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.