Cat Program Manager 

Job Title: Cat Program Manager 

Department: Shelter Operations

Reports to: Director of Lifesaving Operations

Classification:  Exempt

Supervises: Cat Care Coordinator, Community Cat Coordinator, Cat Care staff

                                                                                                                                  

Organizational Summary:

Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC) is the progressive and innovative Humane Society in contract with Hamilton County to deliver animal services. We enforce animal laws and prioritize public safety while striving to be a community resource providing education and support to the people and animals of Hamilton County. We believe that lifesaving is a community ethic and implement a collaborative, holistic approach to animal sheltering and Dog Warden. 

Job Description:

The Cat Program Manager is responsible for implementing progressive feline sheltering programming under the direction of the Director of Lifesaving Operations and Chief Feline Innovation Officer to ensure Cincinnati Animal CARE is fulfilling our commitment to lifesaving and public safety. Key functions of the Cat Program Manager include overseeing daily shelter operations relating to felines including in-house care, efficient flow from intake to outcomes, interdepartmental coordination, and community education and support. This position is also responsible for big picture program development and sustainability.

Expectations of Employee:

  • Believes in the mission of Cincinnati Animal CARE and understands the lifesaving relationship between our organization and the community we serve.  
  • Treats animals humanely, with love and concern both on and off the job and transmit these values to others.
  • Adheres to all CAC organizational policies and procedures.
  • Adheres to all CAC safety policies and reports injuries to the Director within 24 hours of injury. 
  • Makes a good appearance, positive attitude, and can deal tactfully and effectively with the public.
  • Communicates regularly with the Director about departmental issues, progress and concerns.
  • Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
  • Participates in meetings with other CAC personnel, including sharing ideas and suggestions designed to improve working conditions and the organization’s ability to meet its lifesaving objectives.
  • Can lift up to 50 lbs. long periods of standing, bending, and intermittent exposure to high noise levels.  
  • Recognizes the value volunteers and fosters bring to the organization.  Encourages and develops volunteers to support the program’s objectives.
  • A willingness and enthusiasm for a continued state of learning regarding Animal Welfare.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Big Picture

  • Identify grant opportunities and submit requests
  • Create a sustainability plan for program growth 
  • Be prepared to speak and present program information to funders
  • Develop a national-training program for other shelters
  • Establish and maintain a program budget
  • Establish program goals and KPIs 

Population Management

  • Work collaboratively with the Intake to Placement Manager and Medical team to manage our feline population and move cats through our system as quickly and efficiently as possible
  • Help identify cats who would be good candidates for foster and rescue, then work with the foster and rescue programs to find placement
  • Help our Media and Community Relations Manager identify cats to showcase on our social media platforms and the weekly news
  • Identify cats suitable for off-site adoption locations and coordinate their preparation and transport 
  • Assist with the development and implementation of feline adoption events and promotions
  • Work with the Community Support Coordinator and Pets for Life Coordinator to keep cats in their homes by finding solutions and alternatives to shelter surrender
  • Manage and oversee the Feral Freedom program and all Community Cat programming

Facilities and Inventory

  • Evaluate facilities for optimal living experience, lifesaving and customer service
  • Communicate with the Shelter Director to notify of any issues with the Kitty City or anywhere cats are housed 
  • Oversee the keeping of a clean, safe and welcoming shelter space for staff, volunteers and the public
  • Oversee the cat food and supplies inventory and keep it organized and well-maintained

Daily Care

  • Plan, organize, coordinate, review, evaluate, and direct the implementation of all programming related to the care of cats
  • Coordinate with the Dog Operations Manager to ensure alignment and consistency in organizational policies and protocol when it makes sense to do so
  • Oversee and implement daily in-kennel enrichment 
  • Identify cats who are struggling in the shelter environment and implement urgent and targeted enrichment and training programs to alleviate shelter deterioration
  • Assist with the transport of cats to rescue or medical appointments as needed
  • Assist with cleaning, feeding and adoption meet and greets as needed 

Staff Onboarding and Ongoing Training and Performance

  • Recruit and hire new Cat Care staff to the team
  • Manage the Cat Care staff schedule and ensure proper staffing is in place every day for optimal daily operations
  • Ensure all Cat Care staff are trained in handling and best-practice cleaning and feeding protocol; oversee the onboarding of new staff
  • Ensure all Cat Care staff are trained in performing safe Meet and Greets with the public for foster and adoption
  • Train, coach and enact disciplinary action for Cat Care staff as needed when performance needs improvement
  • Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to establish consistent team of care volunteers to off-set pressure on existing staff
  • Maintain a schedule of staffing that fosters efficiency and exceptional care of the cats
  • Present staffing proposals to increase staff size as needed that can establish the financial need to the organization

Major Essential Duties

  • Attend regular meetings with the Chief Feline Innovation Officer as scheduled
  • Think outside the box and utilize the ideas of other shelter professionals when faced with a difficult animals
  • Stay current on shelter best practice
  • Follow and promote stringent safety protocols and guidelines
  • Must be able and willing to work with unpredictable, difficult, and sometimes dangerous animals
  • Must take a collaborative approach and know when to ask for help
  • Must approach each animal as an individual and set aside bias, conscious or unconscious
  • Be present and timely for the duration of each work day
  • Be empathetic and compassionate when interacting with the animals, staff and public
  • Foster a work environment that motivates our team and inspires exceptional work
  • Make a commitment to working cooperatively with volunteers and develop positive relationships 
  • Work collaboratively and meet regularly with shelter staff, including the Dog Care team, Adoption Counselors, the Medical Team, Behavior and Training and Foster and Volunteer Coordinators
  • Adhere to the Cincinnati Animal CARE Culture Agreement which includes behaving in a manner that promotes a fun, positive work environment
  • Demonstrate a commitment to transparency

Working Conditions: Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, extreme temperatures, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Able to lift up to 50 lb., long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, animal handling, and restraint in an animal shelter-type setting. Exposure to animals of all sizes and temperament.  

Performance Factors and Necessary Skills: 

  • Must be able to work in a high volume, fast paced, high stress environment. 
  • Self-motivated, great attitude, team-oriented a must.
  • Understand the “start-up mode” CAC is currently in (only 1.5 years old) and appreciate the challenges that come with building from scratch
  • Demonstrated experience in program implementation and management, as well as providing customer service and/or case management.
  • Working knowledge of dog and cat handling and behavior, including pets with challenging temperaments and with severe health conditions.
  • Ability to handle pets safely and with kindness always, without exception.
  • Weekend availability required.
  • Must understand the basic concept behind “rescue” and support the overall mission of CAC to save lives.
  • Strong organizational and analytical skills; being able to make decisions in an environment of competing priorities
  • Able to self-manage and make decisions that are in the best interest of an animal and our organization
  • Basic Computer Literacy (Google Drive, ability to learn PetPoint Database system, etc.)
  • Excellent time management ability; able to juggle multiple deadlines and contradictory projects
  • Work outside of normal business hours will be required. May be required to drive the organization’s vehicle nights or weekends to deliver animals to other agencies.
  • Understand how disease is spread and practice exceptional hygiene to protect our animals
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Special note about the state of our organization:

Cincinnati Animal CARE is newly formed and by all accounts, a start-up company. Our entire organization started from scratch in August 2020 so our managers and coordinators are expected to be comfortable in an ever-changing environment where departmental structure needs to be built. Our most successful staff are flexible, demonstrate a willingness and excitement around building from the ground up and enjoy autonomy to create our programming. Very little is set in stone at CAC and it is the vision and creativity of our team that will lay the groundwork for years to come. 

Qualifications/Educational Background:

  • High School or equivalent. College Degree preferred.
  • Experience working in an animal shelter or rescue organization for at least two years.
  • Any combination of training and experience which demonstrates successful animal handling, sanitation or expertise and the knowledge and skills necessary for this position.
  • Exceptional Customer Service ability 
  • Possession of a valid driver’s license and safe driving record acceptable to the CAC insurance carrier. 

Time Required: Full time, 40+ hours a week, typically Sunday-Thursday. Some Holidays may be required.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, or technological breakdowns in departments.

Job Category: Leadership
Job Type: Full Time
Job Location: 3949 Colerain Ave
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