Shelter Engagement Specialist

Location: Bentonville, AR

Hiring range: $58,656 annually, plus benefits.

About the role

Imagine a job where the day-to-day combines the excitement of shows like Prison Break, Breakout, Fixer Upper, and This Old House, but instead of people or houses, you're helping dogs and cats escape traditional shelters. These shelters have staff who love the animals but often lack the resources to save them. As a Shelter Engagement Specialist, you'll share Best Friends Animal Society’s resources to help shelters enhance their facilities and programs. You'll not only help animals but also support the dedicated shelter staff, making their jobs more rewarding and enabling them to save more lives.

Shelter Engagement Specialists are on the front line of lifesaving. They play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission by selecting and pulling animals from priority shelters, helping partners make enhancements, and developing or improving lifesaving programs.

We’re seeking someone with experience working in animal shelters, who is savvy with dogs, cats, and people, loves problem-solving, and isn’t afraid to get covered in fur to bring about the future of animal sheltering.

Culture and Responsibility

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity, and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person.
• Be a role model for authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, and animals.
• Build relationships with assigned shelters and provide consultative guidance, coaching, and strategic mentorship to help shelters implement programming to achieve and sustain a 90% save rate, including shelter operations, lifesaving programs, community engagement, and more.
• Participate in direct, hands-on lifesaving work at partner shelter locations, both in-person and virtually.
• Travel to shelters to evaluate population needs and placement opportunities for dogs and cats, and safely transport them to the Northwest Arkansas program.
• Support partner shelters by assessing day-to-day operational challenges, reinforcing accountability, and guiding the adoption of effective lifesaving practices.
• Provide lifesaving training and participate in team-building activities with shelter staff to enhance buy-in.
• Deliver superior customer service to partner shelters, community stakeholders, and others.
• Develop and maintain a robust knowledge of Best Friends’ and animal welfare best practices to support lifesaving and care.
• Serve as a mission ambassador, representing Best Friends’ mission and vision within partner shelters by leading training, consultation, and mentoring efforts.
• Develop and refine resources for partner shelters to support their success in achieving no-kill.
• Support the maintenance of statistics within priority partner shelters.
• Lead and empower volunteers and volunteer teams to expand Best Friends’ lifesaving capacity.
• Work collaboratively with Best Friends’ team members to develop, refine, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals.
• Exercise judgment in prioritizing work, follow policies and procedures, and ensure accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Respect partner policies when working in partner facilities.

Requirements

• Background in animal sheltering; experience working in an animal shelter is required, preferably in a municipal, government, or private shelter with contractual animal control responsibilities.
• Basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics, as well as body language of dogs and cats.
• Ability to work in an environment that is not no-kill, remaining professional, nonjudgmental, and supportive of shelter staff.
• Experience with and comfortability driving large multi-passenger vehicles or willingness to learn.
• Experience leading teams and implementing programs is preferred but not required.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work as a team player, be personable, professional, and handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organizational skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem-solving skills; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software or desire to learn.
• Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues; experience supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.

Physical Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license for at least 3 years and qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.
• Must be able to travel regularly up to 50% for evaluating and transporting pets, in-shelter presentations, and training, including overnight stays when needed.
• Exposure to dogs and cats of all sizes, temperaments, and medical statuses.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns.
• Ability to work in a shelter environment with large numbers of cats and dogs, including in shelters that are not yet no-kill.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Must be able to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.