Location: Remote (Region covered is Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas & Louisiana)

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $45,000 to $50,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled.

Summary:

Best Friends relies upon strong programming and outreach efforts to increase our lifesaving capacity. The Regional Specialist will be responsible for supporting and executing Best Friends lifesaving strategies, by specifically working to build relationships with agencies and support the establishment lifesaving programs with the primary goals to reduce shelter killing and help shelters achieve and sustain a 90% save rate. Specialists will assist with identifying lifesaving gaps and resource needs and collaborate with regional teams on how to best fill those needs. The work performed in this position is significant and critical to the success of creating a no-kill country by 2025.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with assigned agencies to create systemic change to achieve and sustain no-kill status. Empower agencies by influencing key stakeholders on the implementation and improvement of lifesaving strategies, including adoptions, transport, foster care, and other outcome-based solutions. Identify gaps in lifesaving efforts and recommend collaborative solutions.
• Work with agency leadership to direct, train, and mentor employees, ensuring they are fully trained and understand their roles in achieving goals.
• Assist program staff in devising lifesaving strategies for shelters in geographic priority hubs and execute assigned portions of the work plans.
• Lead the creation of customized support, tactical plans, and grant agreements for assigned agencies to achieve goals, focusing on flexibility and creativity to expedite support with appropriate resource allocation.
• Analyze shelter data, collaborate with other teams on support offerings, and provide training, mentorship, and resources to achieve goals. Work closely with Regional Strategists to provide in-person and virtual mentorships based on data and shelter needs.
• Provide recipients of executed agreements with systems of accountability to empower them to achieve goals. This includes providing systems for tracking progress, analyzing data, and identifying barriers to success.
• Ensure timely data collection for projects, including shelter statistics, and update HERO accordingly.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service and maintain a positive, solution-based attitude when working with agency staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Display kindness and follow the Golden Rule in everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person’s value. Be a role model for authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, and animals. This includes listening, being present, supporting others, and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• This position requires at least 50% travel and is very external-facing, involving substantial interaction with shelter staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

Skills and Experience:

• Solid experience in a humane organization: 3+ years of proven successful experience, including operations, relationship building, programs.
• Knowledge of all animal shelter programs and procedures, including intake diversion, adoptions, transport, foster care, and other programmatic solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to creatively problem solve, and to act decisively and ethically in difficult and fast-paced situations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to embrace and promote positive change.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple parties in resolving issues, creating solutions, providing support, and facilitating collaboration.
• Ability to make sound judgments and work independently in a multi-department environment with demonstrated ability to appropriate prioritize multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Experience/knowledge in the areas of animal behavior, general animal health care, and modern animal shelter & field services programming.
• Experience with analyzing statistical information to inform program direction and strategy.
• Ability to professionally advocate and present Best Friends’ position on issues through public speaking and other presentation avenues.
• Proficiency with basic computer software, including Microsoft Windows and Office applications, and comfortable learning new systems.
• Willing and able to travel by various modes of transportation (plane, car, etc)
• Valid Driver’s License with access to transportation to travel on organization business.

Physical Requirements:

• Extended periods of time working on the computer with repetitive typing, arm and hand motion. 
• Ability to travel via various forms of transportation.
• Out-of-town travel for the job is expected to range up to 50% depending on the location of the jobholder and the specific responsibilities and tasks assigned.
• Ability to be in a shelter environment and handle dogs of all sizes and cats when necessary.
• Able to drive a Best Friends vehicle when necessary.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society.  Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.