If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION:                 Manager, Animal Centre

STATUS:                    Permanent; Full-time

SHIFT:                        35 hours per week

LOCATION:                Dawson Creek, BC

CLASSIFICATION:    Exempt           

WAGE:                        Salaried                                                          

CLOSING DATE:       Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices.  Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website.  We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles. 

As a Manager, Animal Centre at the BC SPCA you’ll be joining a fast-paced, passionate team, who care for vulnerable animals in our province. The BC SPCA is generously funded by compassionate animal lovers, who helped us assist nearly 119,000 animals last year.

What’s it like working at the BC SPCA?

Our Team:

The Animal Care Services team strives to create an engaged, supportive and positive workplace culture. We are driven by evidence-based practices, and committed to excellence in animal health and sheltering. We’re passionate about helping animals live safe and healthy lives!

What we do:

Through a network of over 35 Community Animal Centre locations across the province, we provide sheltering, adoption, outreach, humane education and animal services to the communities we serve. Working collaboratively with other departments in the organization, the Community Animal Centres play a vital role in supporting the overall success of the BC SPCA.  As the Manager, Animal Centre, South Peace you will lead a team of approximately 6 staff (including two Animal Control Officers) and over 30 volunteers at the Community Animal Centre and assist over 500 animals a year, through sheltering and outreach programs. In addition to companion animal care, the South Peace Community Animal Centre provides animal control services to the City of Dawson Creek through enforcement of the Animal Responsibility Bylaw and kenneling services.

The role of Manager, Animal Centre

This position is accountable for proactive day-to-day management of the Animal Centre, including leading a team of passionate staff and volunteers, ensuring the health and welfare of animals in our care, performing administrative and financial duties, and participating fundraising activities, such as events and donor stewardship. The Manager, Animal Centre works closely with the Senior Manager, North & Kootenay Region to ensure the overall success of the South Peace Community Animal Centre and the BC SPCA. In addition, the Manager, Animal Centre, develops and maintains relationships with internal partners in the organization, and external partners in the community, as needed. Overall, the Manager, Animal Centre will ensure all BC SPCA policies are adhered to in delivery of services.

In addition, duties and responsibilities include:

Duties Related to Animal Management:

• Responsible for attaining and maintaining optimum animal welfare standards at all times as defined by BC SPCA programs and all related policies.
• Tracks and reports on the successful implementation and maintenance of standard operating policies/procedures and related programs in the Animal Centre.
• Acts as the local point person for receiving animals related to cruelty investigations, including Large Scale Animal Intake (LSAI) cases.
• Makes decisions regarding euthanasia in accordance with BC SPCA policy.
• Liaises with local veterinary facilities to ensure proper care of animals and build effective relationships.
• Assigns a team member to successfully lead the local animal foster program.

Duties Related to People Care:

• Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, annual goal setting, regular performance management, and termination of Animal Centre employees.
• Responsible for ensuring the success of volunteer program for the Animal Centre.
• Schedules staff and volunteers in keeping with BC SPCA requirements and budget.
• Acts as a champion for health, safety and wellness in the Animal Centre.
• Receives and resolves any public complaints and concerns related to the provision of BC SPCA services.

Duties related to Finances and Administration:

• Administers the assigned annual budget, including reviewing expenses and revenues regularly.
• Creates a welcoming environment for the public at the Animal Centre and ensures a high level of customer service.
• Promotes the BC SPCA’s mission and services in the community; attends events as required and serves as a professional and knowledgeable representative of the BC SPCA; may be required to speak to local media.
• Identifies community needs to Senior Manager and provides input into ways to address any gaps.
• Engages in fundraising activities, such as attending events and donor stewardship.
• Provides required statistical reports on Animal Centre performance on a regular basis.
• Ensures physical facility, equipment and supplies are maintained in a condition acceptable to the BC SPCA and provides input into requests for capital improvements as needed.
• Maintains productive and effective relationships with local government officials.

While every day is different, a day in this role might include:

• Leading a ‘daily huddle’ with your team to discuss animals in care, and other updates related to the Animal Centre.
• Supporting your team with what they need to be successful in their day, while celebrating individual and team successes along the way.
• Submitting payroll and accounts payable to the appropriate department by the imposed deadline.  
• Working closely with other relevant team members to engage key partners to steward strong and trusting relationships and build support for the BC SPCA in your community.

What type of person are you?

• A self-starter with a genuine compassion for people and animals and supporting the community you serve
• Someone who thrives in a fast-pace, demanding and reactive work environment
• An excellent communicator who enjoys connecting with a variety of people in a positive, respectful manner
• A motivated and innovative problem-solver.
• Excited about the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the BC SPCA and want to be part of our work.

What skills have you developed?

• Post-secondary education in an applicable field 
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity. Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
• Working in animal welfare;
• Working in the non-profit sector, with familiarity with fundraising and volunteer management/relations;
• Application/communication of wildlife legislation and regulations;
• Scheduling, financial, and project management;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.
• Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA mission, vision, and strategic directions; genuine compassion for animals and sound knowledge of the Five Freedoms and related animal welfare standards.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, planning and prioritizing a varied and demanding workload to meet fixed deadlines with minimal supervision

• Fundraising, financial management and business skill sets.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and genuine desire/ability to work with a diverse range of people in a positive manner.
• Effective organizational skills and strong building operations and infrastructure knowledge.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Computer skills – Windows, MS Office incl. PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to work flexible hours (i.e. evening, weekend and holidays) when required.
• Must have a valid BC Class 5 Drivers License.

Benefits

• Relocation Allowance
• Full time salaried position.
• Four weeks’ vacation plus twelve sick days.
• Competitive extended health benefits after three months.
• Employer RRSP contributions of 7.5% (with no matching requirement) after three months.
• Fast-paced work-place culture of collaboration, passion and respect.
• And yes, there are kittens and puppies (and sometimes budgies and rabbits), too!

The BC SPCA compensation structure is based on external benchmarks and regularly reviewed. Starting placement on the range for this position will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience. The hiring manager will share the range with short-listed candidates prior to scheduling interviews. To be considered, please submit both a resume and cover letter with your application.

How to apply
If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on Apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. 

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001