Supervisor, Veterinary Programs

Location: 901 Pinemont Drive; Houston, TX 77018

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $55,000 to $60,000 annually, plus great benefits!

Shift: Tuesday - Saturday

Manager interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled (recruiter phone screens will occur before a manager interview).

Position Summary: Veterinary Program Supervisors are responsible for conducting and overseeing the daily functions of veterinary care and clinic programs, at the direction of their managers. Supervisors act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society's no-kill mission and organizational success. Supervisors may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs.

Culture Statement and Responsibility: We value attitude over aptitude, and we treat Kindness as a discipline because it is paramount in our culture along with our other Guiding Principles. Culture is how we talk to and treat ourselves and one another, it's how we generate and respond to change, it's how we plan and make decisions, it's how we do what we do.

Key Responsibilities:

Treat people around you as our most valuable resource by leading with Kindness and Compassion in all your actions, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, encourage self-care and work-life balance through your own example, and work to build strong relationships with your team by creating communication loops to share and receive honest feedback. You are responsible and accountable for the culture of your team.

• Work alongside team members and volunteers to oversee, coordinate and conduct daily clinic and veterinary care programs with the goal of utilizing volunteers and increasing operational efficiency to expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; support care and cleaning for animals temporarily housed or transported within Best Friends' vehicles, or facilities.
• Perform basic medical care including but not limited to medicating, vaccinating, subcutaneous fluids, and microchipping under the direction of a veterinarian; have a basic knowledge of general pharmacology, familiarity with patient monitoring equipment, surgical induction and recovery, and knowledge of animal physiology.
• Lead on-site surgical services (primarily s/n)under the supervision of a veterinarian.
• Ensure and maintain a clean and disinfected working environment, maintain controlled substances logs, accurately enter, and maintain patient and client medical data.
• Provide support, training, and performance feedback; participate in performance conversations; support hiring and onboarding; ensure teams meet expectations for Best Friends' program requirements and procedures; support teams so that each person achieves their fullest potential as contributors to Best Friends mission and goals.
• Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends' team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Support shelter partners virtually and in person by helping them develop and implement best practices for animal care to reduce sickness and non-live outcomes.
• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.
• When necessary, provide thoughtful and compassionate feedback regarding end-of-life decisions for Best Friends Program animals, balancing medical and behavioral considerations with their well-being and quality of life; ensure that all decisions are approached with care, respect and commitment to minimizing suffering while honoring our mission to Save Them All.
• Carry out euthanasia for program animals when necessary, upholding the highest standards of compassion, respect and ethical responsibility; ensure all organizational policies are followed and maintain appropriate logging of all controlled substances as directed by the Veterinarian of Record.

Required Skills and Experience:

• At least 1 year of experience leading teams or managing people is strongly preferred.
• Must be comfortable managing high quality, high volume spay/neuter surgeries for cats and dogs under veterinary supervision and with a team of technicians.
• Background of working or volunteering in an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or hospital preferred.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

Physical & Other Requirements:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Valid driver's license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society's driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.