Description

JOB SUMMARY: The Associate Director of Animal & Medical Care plays a vital leadership role in advancing the health, safety, and behavioral well-being of all animals in our shelter. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for Humane Fort Wayne's shelter animal care and medical programs. This position oversees the daily operations and long-term development of shelter medical care, animal husbandry, behavior, enrichment, population management, and adoption readiness to ensure exceptional welfare outcomes for every animal entrusted to Humane Fort Wayne. Working in close partnership with the Director of Operations, the Associate Director leads a team of supervisors (Leads)and care staff, cultivating a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS

• Directs and oversees all aspects of medical care for shelter animals, including intake assessments, triage, treatment protocols, vaccination programs, and disease prevention including:
  Surgical coordination
  Isolation and quarantine procedures
  Foster medical support
  Neonatal and critical care programs
  End-of-life and humane euthanasia procedures
• Monitor medical outcomes, identify trends, and implement improvements that reduce disease transmission, improve recovery, and enhance animal welfare.
  Develop, implement, and continually refine evidence-based behavioral assessment and enrichment programs for dogs and cats by:
  Developing evidence-based enrichment plans
  Overseeing canine and feline behavior evaluations
  Supporting playgroup programming
  Reviewing behavior modification plans
  Monitoring quality of life
  Establishing humane decision-making criteria
  Reducing shelter stress through enrichment initiatives
• Collaborate with veterinary staff and external partners to ensure all animals receive timely, appropriate, and compassionate care. Ensure accurate and complete medical and behavioral recordkeeping in compliance with applicable regulations and shelter standards.
• Partner with Humane Fort Wayne veterinarians to ensure medical care is delivered in accordance with veterinary direction, current shelter medicine principles, and ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.
• Directly supervise Animal and Medical Care Leads who manage day-to-day animal care operations across all shelter departments.

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

• Animal Management Software
• Answer emails, phones, and return voicemails in a timely manner.
• Provide accurate information to adopters and answer their questions appropriately.
• Accurately enter and save data to the appropriate places in a timely fashion.
• Assist with Reporting and Data retention.
• Have a broad understanding of all policies and procedures for general animal care, animal intake, adoption standards, euthanasia as well as the necessary protocols from City of Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control.
• Direct clients to the specific program managers as necessary.
• Approves timecards for payroll purposes.
• Manage bite and injury reports.
• Provide mentorship, professional development, and performance management for supervisory staff; conduct regular check-ins and formal evaluations.
• Foster an emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and supportive team environment, with particular sensitivity to the emotional demands of shelter work and compassion fatigue.
• Lead by example, modeling clear communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to the shelter’s mission and values.
• Coordinate staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure consistent, high-quality care across all shifts.
• Develop, document, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all animal care functions.
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to animal health outcomes, length of stay, live release rates, and staff performance.
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts across animal care programs, incorporating current best practices and research.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations, as well as accreditation standards.
• Represent the shelter’s animal care programs in community partnerships, professional associations, and public-facing contexts as needed.
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts and support organizational goals related to animal welfare and sheltering outcomes.

ANIMAL HANDLING

• Must be able to learn characteristics of animal behavior (for example - be able to identify
  aggressive or fearful behavior).
• Must complete Fear-Free Certification course (provided).
• Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals (will train) 
• Must possess excellent reflexes.
• Must be able to identify your own limitations and be willing to ask for help.
• Must become proficient at animal restraint for various procedures.

Requirements

Must be able to work standing or sitting for eight (8) or more hours.
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day with assistance.
Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly.
Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch.
Must have a reasonable degree of agility to move through cramped areas in various situations.
Must have an acceptable sense of touch and smell.
Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows.
Must have a good range of motion in your back - for instance, twisting.
Must be able to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures.
Must have an acceptable sense of balance.
Must be able to work and reach on hands and knees.
Must be able to use a ladder and or step stool.
Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination.
Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers.
Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception
and ability to focus.
Must be able to communicate both verbally and in writing.

EMOTIONAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions efficiently and effectively.
Must possess the ability to make decisions quickly and efficiently.
Must possess the ability to rapidly and accurately process information.
Must possess the ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help.
Must possess the ability to cope with difficult situations and remain calm.
Must possess emotional and mental flexibility and be accepting of change.
Must be able to cope with death, either due to surgical complications or euthanasia.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Active Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) credential in good standing. Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in an animal shelter,
humane society, or comparable animal welfare organization
Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and on-call.
Ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, in an
atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and handle high levels of stress.
Ability to be flexible, detail oriented, and able to prioritize.
Demonstrated experience managing or supervising teams in a fast-paced,
mission-driven environment.
Ability to orient a collaborative approach to work, with an ability to bring out the best in
peers.
Ability to think strategically and solve problems creatively.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
High emotional intelligence; ability to support staff through challenging situations,
including animal loss and high-stress scenarios.
Ability to organize and maintain detailed records; complete necessary paperwork and
meet deadlines.
Thorough knowledge of canine and feline medical care, behavior, and husbandry.
Able to handle individual animals in a caring, sage and humane manner
Knowledge of personnel practices as they relate to selecting, training, evaluating
performance and supervision of employees
Computer literacy with proficient use of programs including but not limited to Microsoft
Office programs, internet database system, email and database management software.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate
effectively across all levels of the organization.
Fear Free for Shelters course within 60 days of employment (Required).
Experience in developing and implementing infectious disease management protocols
and capacity of care guidelines for maintaining a healthy shelter population (preferred).
Maintain a valid Driver’s License.

PREFERRED

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Technology, Biology, or a related field.
Familiarity with Fear Free®, Low Stress Handling®, or similar animal behavior and
handling certifications.
Experience with shelter medicine principles, including population health management
and infectious disease control.
Bilingual communication skills are a plus.