Assistant Manager of Animal Care Exempt

Description

Reports to Manager of Animal Care.

The Richmond SPCA is a non‑profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no‑kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters.

Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it.

The Animal Care team plays an essential role in caring for our homeless dogs and cats, many of whom are sick or injured and undergoing medical treatment. These team members help protect our animals' health and contribute to their overall wellbeing – making sure they are happy and loved while being readied for adoption. The Animal Care management team consistently supports and promotes the mission and objectives of the Richmond SPCA, while inspiring and coaching their team to deliver excellent animal care.

• Oversee operation of the Animal Care department at least two days per week
• Support Animal Care Manager in the management of 30+ Animal Care Technicians
• Motivate employees and support a culture of respect, professionalism, creativity and mission devotion
• Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with staff, including Vibe Checks, Focus Groups, monthly departmental meetings, and feedback sessions to assess staff needs, provide support, and identify areas for improvement
• Handle employee concerns and complex, emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
• Assist the Animal Care Manager with scheduling, work to ensure areas are adequately staffed and modify the schedule to account for callouts as needed
• Help to perform daily check‑outs of staff, including all assigned areas and animals
• Work closely with operational management team to strategically manage kennel space taking multiple factors into consideration and plan for animal intakes
• Assist the Animal Care Manager with the creation, implementation and improvement of orientation and training procedures for animal care staff members
• Support the hiring process by coordinating and conducting interviews in various formats, including phone screenings, one‑on‑one interviews, and panel or group settings
• Assist with documenting staff performance through shared journals and formal records, addressing areas of improvement in a professional and respectful manner. Provide supportive guidance and constructive feedback to ensure quality of care and performance standards are consistently maintained
• Maintain open and regular communication with Manager of Animal Care, Animal Care Leads, and Senior Director of Shelter Operations
• Assist the Animal Care Manager with the monitoring of inventory for the department and ordering of supplies as needed
• Perform weekly special diet list and animal inventory
• Work with operational management to prepare for occasional disaster relief responses
• Report any medical or behavioral concerns or observations to appropriate staff for monitoring
• Attend and participate in all required training and meetings, including weekly shelter operations meetings
• Other job related duties as assigned

• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA’s mission to achieve and sustain a no‑kill community including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering
• Effective, professional, and empathetic customer service skills and communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate, and respectful atmosphere
• Uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of every pet in our care
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively, manage competing deadlines, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to multi‑task, follow directions (written and verbal),…