Animal Care Director

Animal Care Director

Reno Campus – Reno, NV 89502;
Carson Campus – Carson City, NV 89701

• Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $ salary/year
• Position Type:
  Full Time
• Education Level: High School
• Travel Percentage:
  Travel varies based on position
• Category:
  Animal Care

Care for pets. Find them homes. Save lives. That’s the mission at Nevada Humane Society.

We’re a high‑save organization helping nearly 34,000 animals in our community each year and caring for approximately 10,000 across both of our campuses. Through sheltering, adoptions, community‑centered programs and services we help find pets loving homes and keep them there. We are seeking an experienced Animal Care Director to join our team at our Reno Campus. In this role, you’ll provide daily care, support positive outcomes, and help match pets with the families who will love them for life.

At NHS, lifesaving work is powered by dedicated professionals. We support our team with competitive pay, meaningful benefits, and a workplace rooted in compassion, teamwork, and purpose.

In this leadership role, applicants must have the following qualifications:

• Minimum of five years experience in animal sheltering or animal welfare, including at least three years in a supervisory or management capacity within an animal shelter.
• Proven success leading teams and multiple departments in a high‑volume, open‑admission or similarly complex environment, with strong experience in staff development, employee relations, operational oversight, and ethical, humane decision‑making.
• Strong working knowledge of animal welfare standards, shelter operations, canine behavior and training principles, along with excellent organizational and communication skills, physical ability to perform shelter duties, and flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and emergencies.

In Nevada, employers often provide competitive benefits, but NHS stands out with:

• 100% Employer‑paid medical & vision premium option (Full‑Time Employees)
• Pet‑centric benefits not typical in most benefit packages
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual starting on day one rather than waiting periods
• Full‑Time Employees are eligible for nine paid holidays, 90% employer‑paid buy‑up options, low‑cost dental plans, and eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• All Employees are eligible for low‑cost supplemental plans including Life Insurance, Accident, and Short‑Term Disability
• Pet‑focused perks such as free vaccines, spay/neuter, and end‑of‑life services for employee‑owned pets
• Free and reduced‑cost pet adoptions
• Up to 50% off major brand and prescription pet food delivered directly to the shelter

• Job Title:
  
  Animal Care Director
• Department:
  Operations
• Supervises:
  Animal Care Managers and Behavior & Transfer Manager
• Reports To:
  
  Chief Executive Officer
• FLSA/Work Hours Status:
  Full‑Time 40+ hours per week
• DOL Status:
  Exempt
• Base Pay Range: $90,000 – $110,000

Our Animal Care Director plays an important role in advancing Nevada Humane Society’s mission.

The Animal Care Director provides strategic leadership for the humane care and effective management of all animals across both Nevada Humane Society campuses. This role oversees the Dog Care, Cat Care, and Behavior & Transfer teams, ensuring operations, animal population flow, and care standards align with ASV guidelines and organizational policies. The position supports data‑informed decision‑making, cross‑departmental coordination, and emergency preparedness to safeguard animal welfare.

• Lead and oversee Dog Care, Cat Care, and Behavior & Transfer teams across both campuses, ensuring humane, consistent, and high‑quality care for all animals.
• Set and continuously improve animal care standards, protocols, and operations in alignment with Association of Shelter Veterinarians guidelines and organizational policy.
• Coach and manage Animal Care leadership staff, driving accountability, professional growth, and strong team performance.
• Oversee daily animal care operations and shelter population management to optimize animal wellbeing, live outcomes, and length of stay.
• Partner closely with…