About Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA

Since 1973, the RHSPCA has been providing compassionate animal care to help pets and people live happier, healthier lives. We offer a full range of services, including adoption options for companion pets and barn cats so that local animals can live better lives in the spaces that suit them best. We also work with a vast network of volunteers who help us care for animals in our shelter and individuals willing to foster pets in their homes. In addition to our pet matchmaking services, we partner with community members to help manage the outdoor cat population through our Community Cat Program. Across all of these services is our commitment to providing the resources and tools our community needs to improve animal welfare.

JOB TITLE: Animal Health Manager

DEPARTMENT: Shelter Operations

ACCOUNTABILITY: Director of Operations

FUNCTION: The Animal Health Manager’s primary responsibility is to protect, maintain and improve the health of the animals in the care of the Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA.  They will fulfill this responsibility by working closely with the shelter veterinarian in charge to develop protocols and provide care for special medical cases; ensures compliance with medical protocols, oversees a staff of five (5) to ensure timely performance of intake exams, health checks and daily care for sick animals; ensuring animal records are up to date, and supports both internal and external animal health services, including foster care and offsite veterinary coordination while working collaboratively with other shelter operations managers.

SALARY: $47,500 - $55,000

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General:

• Perform duties in a manner which promotes a positive culture and encourages attainment of RHSPCA goals.
• Ensure quality care and humane treatment for the animals in the care of the RHSPCA.
• Works courteously and cooperatively with the staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters, veterinary partners, and donors to ensure that all RHSPCA policies and procedures are followed, and new ones implemented successfully.
• Ability to multitask, take and follow directions, adapt, and accommodate changing demands and make appropriate prioritization decisions.

• Assist in implementing operation compliance with current federal, state, county and local laws, regulations and guidelines that affect operations.

• Serve as primary contact for operations staff and veterinarians for the medical health of the animals.
  
  
  

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Oversees a staff of five team members assigned to the Animal Health Team and is responsible for:  
• • Creating schedules, approving timecards and PTO.
  • Updating job descriptions, participating in hiring and performance reviews.
  • Developing and implementing staff trainings on best practices as they relate to shelter animal health. 
  • Directing performance through regular meetings, goal setting, appraisal, and
    accountability.

• Animal Health and Disease Prevention

• • Oversees herd health and implements disease prevention protocols.
  • Conducts daily routine health evaluations and works with the Animal Health Team and veterinary partners to identify and manage medical conditions.
  • Collaborates on treatment plans for animals with complex medical needs.
    
    
    

• Oversees performance of Animal Health Team staff and volunteers.  Primary functions for these positions include:
• • Performing intake exams and health checks
  • Administration of vaccines and medications
  • Monitoring animal health
  • Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date medical records using ShelterLuv.
  • Ensure compliance with Schedule VI drug protocols 
  • Cleaning and sanitation of the exam room and intake areas.
  • Coordinate medical needs for animals in foster care, including communication with foster caregivers and foster team members
  • Supports evening clinics to ensure continuity of care for animals in foster.
  • Provide the foster team and foster families with training and resources to manage common medical needs.

• Works closely with the Shelter Veterinarian in Charge and Director of Operations to:
• • Maintain and update medical protocols including regular review and update of Schedule VI protocols
  • Identify the needs and ensure treatment for special medical cases
  • Train and develop Animal Health Team members
  • Assess department spending
  • Best utilize ShelterLuv (shelter software) for optimal record keeping

• Works collaboratively with shelter operations managers to:
• • Optimize the flow of animals to reduce length of stay for the animals
  • Ensure the Five Freedoms of animal welfare for each animal in our care
  • Collaborate with the animal care  team to provide medical information needed for adoption counseling.

Other Responsibilities

• Schedule and coordinate offsite veterinary appointments including transport logistics, spay/neuter and specialty care and ensure updates to animal records and the treatment plans are followed.
• Oversee shelter veterinary schedules, assist with exams and ensure timely entry of data in Shelterluv.
• Assist in developing and reviewing training related to animal health and disease management for all teams.
• Perform inventory, monitor and maintain adequate levels of medical supplies. Oversee inventory ordering and manage purchasing within budget guidelines.
• Assist with euthanasia decisions and become certified to perform euthanasia.

Communication:

• Communicate with and work closely with RHSPCA shelter staff regarding people service (including customers, volunteers, fosters, veterinarians) and animal care.
• Communicate well in person, via email and telephone with individuals within the organization and outside to ensure success of the programs.

Perform related work as required.  Job responsibilities and opportunities may change as organizational needs change and grow.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Animal Health Manager needs to be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily.  The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required:

• Current Vet Technician License in Virginia strongly preferred.
• Minimum of two years of working hands on with animals in a veterinary setting is required.
• Minimum of three  years management experience is required.
• An existing Fear Free Shelters certification or ability to attain within 90 days of employment.
• Licensed to perform humane euthanasia in the state of Virginia or ability to attain within 1 year of employment.
• Proficiency in Google suite platforms, docs and sheets.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a positive and upbeat attitude.
• Knowledge of dog and cat behavior and safe handling practices is required.
• Must be available to work some evenings and weekends and be responsive to emails and phone calls relating to animal emergencies.
• Ability to use sound judgment in all decision making while working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Hold a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to lift 35 lbs., stand for long periods of time, move quickly, work with and around animals (including diseased, injured and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals. 

COMPENSATION

This is a salaried (exempt) position offering a competitive rate based on experience with a salary range of $47,500 - $55,000.  After a period of employment, the Animal Health Manager is eligible for medical insurance and PTO.

NATURE OF EMPLOYMENT

The Animal Health Manager is an exempt position, which generally requires a minimum of 40 hours per week and may weekend and evening work as well as overnight on-call on a rotating basis.  

There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an offer of employment.  It is the policy of the RHSPCA that employment for this position is at will, which means that employment for no specified term and the employee or agency may terminate that employment at any time without cause.  This job description serves as a guide.