Description

The Role

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the full day-to-day operation of the rescue.

You will oversee dog care, lead staff, and ensure the environment remains calm, structured, and consistently maintained. This role requires both operational discipline and deep compassion.

You are accountable for the standard of care, the condition of the facility, and the overall experience of both dogs and people who enter the space.

This role requires someone who understands that rescue is not always about placement, but about commitment, stability, and honoring the emotional lives of the dogs in our care.

This role also carries complete ownership of the facility environment. You will shape how this rescue runs.

We are looking for someone who holds a high standard — someone who ensures the space is consistently clean, organized, calm, and welcoming. This is not a role where tasks are delegated and left unchecked. The right person notices what needs attention and takes action immediately.

If a kennel needs refreshing, it’s handled.

If something is out of place, it’s corrected.

If a standard is slipping, it’s reset.

You lead from the front and set the tone for the entire team.

Ideal candidates have experience in animal shelters, rescue organizations, veterinary clinics, or dog training environments, along with a strong understanding of canine behavior and low-stress handling.

We are specifically looking for someone who is:

• proactive and self-directed
• highly accountable
• calm under pressure
• deeply attentive to both dogs and environment

Responsibilities

Oversee the daily care, safety, and emotional wellbeing of all dogs

Lead and support staff and volunteers, maintaining a calm, structured environment

Ensure each dog receives appropriate enrichment, exercise, and behavioral support

Monitor health, administer medications, and coordinate veterinary care

Maintain a consistent daily routine that supports stability and reduces stress

Take full ownership of the cleanliness and organization of the facility — ensuring all spaces remain spotless, sanitary, and welcoming

Address what needs attention immediately and uphold standards without delay

Oversee intake, decompression, and individualized care plans

Support thoughtful adoption placements and meet-and-greets

Maintain accurate records of health, behavior, and progress

Ensure safety protocols are consistently followed

Uphold a high standard of care that reflects the dignity of the dogs we serve

Who You Are

Experienced in animal shelters, rescue, veterinary, or dog training environments

Confident reading dog behavior, especially fearful or sensitive dogs

Calm, steady, and emotionally grounded

Highly proactive — you do not wait to be told what to do

Detail-oriented and take pride in maintaining a clean, orderly environment

Comfortable leading others and setting clear expectations

Physically capable of hands-on work throughout the day

Requirements

Requirements

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in animal shelters, rescue organizations, veterinary clinics, or professional dog training environments
• Strong understanding of canine behavior, including the ability to read stress signals and work safely with fearful, senior, or sensitive dogs
• Experience administering medications and coordinating basic veterinary care
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and organization in an animal care environment
• Proven ability to take initiative and work independently, addressing what needs attention without waiting for direction
• Experience supervising or guiding staff and/or volunteers preferred
• Ability to create and maintain structured daily routines for animal care, staff, and facility operations
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to consistency
• Physically able to handle the demands of the role, including standing, bending, walking, cleaning, and safely handling dogs of various sizes
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, hands-on environment
• Reliable, accountable, and able to follow through on responsibilities