Salary Range for this position: $45,000 - $50,000, based upon relative experience.

Wayside Waifs is Kansas City's largest and most comprehensive no kill pet adoption campus. Since 1944, we have been working diligently to partner pets and community for life. Wayside Waifs strives to enrich the lives of abandoned, abused and homeless animals until they find a new family home. We care for more than 5,000 animals every year. Wayside is a private, independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) charity with no government funding. We depend on the generosity of the community to continue our life-saving work. Our Mission is preparing pets and people for the bond of their lives. Wayside Waifs is currently seeking to fill the posiiton of Admissions Manager. The position summary is as follows: 

POSITION SUMMARY
The role of the Admissions Manager is to oversee transfer, animal surrender, and animal control intake of animals. This role is responsible for managing the Admissions team, collaborating with the primary sources of animals for our adoption program and for general oversight of population numbers. The purpose of this role is to develop, deliver and support an effective, safe and considerate animal experience including initial behavior and medical assessments of incoming animals, and interfacing with our key sourcing partners, the public, staff, volunteers and our animal control partners. This position also coordinates rescue and disaster response efforts under the direction of the Vice President of Animal Welfare & Operations. This role will handle and work with animals of varying species, primarily dogs and cats, of varying sizes and temperaments.

  General Departmental and Organizational Expectations

• People are key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts and collaborates with employees at all levels of the Organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone and electronic interactions and will also include contact with the general public, partners, Wayside vendors and supporters. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.
• Works with staff and the Vice President of Animal Welfare and Operations to develop and implement program goals, departmental budgets, objectives and outcome measurements that are consistent with the long-term strategic plan of the shelter.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory, safety, security and operational standards related to animal care including impounding and general care.
• Follows Department of Agriculture rules and regulations as well as local ordinances regarding the transfer, intake and care of shelter animals.
• Acts as a responsible steward of the organization’s resources.  Ensures that all of Wayside Waifs’ resources are utilized properly, legally & ethically, and that all those entrusted to manage or represent the affairs of the organization are properly directed and highly effective. 
• Upholds the mission, values, and principles of the organization at all times.  Ensures all business endeavors and relationships are consistent with the organization’s mission, values, policies and goals. 
• Demonstrate a high level of communication with the VP of Animal Welfare & Operations and other team members/departments, animal control and members of the public. 
• Participate in continuing education and training opportunities to enhance knowledge of animal handling skills, rescue response and other animal sheltering related activities.
• Demonstrate a high standard of dependability for promptness and attendance.

 Supervises Animal Transfer, Rescue and Intake Programs

• Oversees the transfer program. Ensures that the flow of animals into the building meets the goals of the adoption program. Consistently maintain a good variety of animals available for adoption at the shelter. 
• Ensures the public has a positive experience when surrendering an animal to Wayside via our Owner Surrender program by delivering exceptional and knowledgeable customer service and providing diversion resources whenever possible.
• Provide counsel to the public on the best solution for their pet, including sharing information about all of the shelter’s services, policies and procedures as well as other community resources.
• Process animals into the shelter by vaccinating, drawing blood, taking a photo, collaring and scanning the animal for a microchip.
• Impound all animals into the computer system.  
• Supervises the Animal Transfer Lead and the Admissions Counselors and Admissions/Rescue Volunteers.
• Ensures transfer relationships with area, regional and national partners are optimized (both in and out of the shelter) and explores and cultivates new transfer partnerships.
• Manages communications with transfer partners including sensitive, complex, and/or challenging conversations when necessary.
• Ensures that all animals impounded into the shelter are handled in a safe, humane and timely manner, and that all information is correctly entered into the software system and referred to the vet clinic and/or behavior team, if required.
• Ensure a smooth and efficient flow of the animal intake process.
• Process all intake surveys, assess the animal’s adoptability and schedule appointments.  
• With the Vice President of Animal Welfare and Operations, coordinate disaster/emergency response activities.
• Coordinate the use of the rescue trailer and vehicles pre and post deployment. This includes cleaning of kennels with assistance from Volunteers and the Facilities team.
• Manage manifests and related paperwork.
• Communicate with and engage Rescue Team Volunteers about rescue efforts.

 Staff and Volunteer Management

• Provides training and guidance to staff and volunteers in regards to safe animal handling, program expectations, performance management and professional development.
• Coaches and mentors staff on the day-to-day job requirements and expectations.
• Continually monitors staff activities providing guidance and support. Recommends and provides education and training programs to ensure staff safety and skills development.
• Ensures that all team members are provided clear work direction, and that clearly defined measurements of performance and rewards are utilized to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness.
• Promotes and models quality animal care, safe and productive handling and workplace practices, as well as positive interdepartmental communication and collaboration and communication with members of the public, transfer and animal control partners and volunteers.
• Welcomes and promotes integration and utilization of volunteers; works with the Volunteer Manager to optimize the use of volunteers. 
• Maintains shelter standards of cleanliness and improve efficiencies in all areas of the department.

 Essential Functions/Key Competencies/Requirements

• Provide personal direction, leadership and coaching to the staff.  Effectively manage conflict, promote change and growth, and inspire the development of a highly effective team of professionals.  
• Provide exceptional customer service and animal management skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task and manage time wisely as required for success in the position.
• Ability to coach and counsel the general public under stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with co-workers, management and public at all times, demonstrating an upbeat, team oriented and positive attitude.
• Ability to perform clerical duties such as data entry, answering a multi-line phone system and returning phone calls, filing, making copies as needed, etc.
• Ability to maximize efficiencies.
• Flexibility, patience, problem solving and understanding logistics and operational flow.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to utilize effective problem-solving/decision making skills.
• Ability to work with people in a variety of high-stress, and emotional situations.
• Able to demonstrate exceptional discretion, judgment, impartiality, and confidentiality when dealing with personnel issues, financial issues and proprietary information.
• Able to demonstrate a high degree of independence, initiative and organization.
• Able to maintain a professional appearance and exercise sound judgment during all interactions with public, staff and volunteers.
• Able to set goals, prioritize, delegate work and provide feedback to others to complete multiple tasks on or before a deadline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn new tasks and able to become proficient in a short time period.

 Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of demonstrated success in a supervisory role. Experience managing a multi-person team required. 
• Valid driver’s license with insurable driving record as this position may require occasional travel in state driving a company vehicle.

 Desired

• Familiarity with general animal sheltering practices, protocols, and trends preferred.
• Previous animal handling experience preferred.
• Experience creating and managing budgets.
• Experience leading and managing volunteers.
• General knowledge of animal sheltering software, PetPoint preferred.

 Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 50lbs to waist-height in order to move animals from kennels, lift food bags, and push and pull a force (i.e. pushing water with a squeegee). 
• Repetitive bending, kneeling, stooping and similar movements are also required.  
• Potentially subject to animal bites and scratches.
• Will be required to work evenings, weekends and/or holidays as business operations demand.
• Must be able to physically restrain dogs weighing up to and including 100lbs.  
• Able to work with exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.
• Significant amount of standing during a typical day.
• Possible exposure to fumes, animal smells, animal dander, and/or airborne particles. 
• The noise level is moderate to high. 
• Will be working with and exposed to a variety of animals and animal waste.

Benefits
Wayside Waifs offers the following benefits:

- Medical, Dental, Life, Vision and Long Term Disability
- 401(k)
- PTO (Vacation and Sick Time)
- Six and a half paid Holidays
-Three Floating Flex Days

Just as Wayside Waifs has committed to providing compassionate care for the thousands of homeless animals who enter our shelter each year, we are equally committed to providing a healthy and humane working environment for our employees. Wayside Waifs is an EOE and is looking for diversity in candidates for employment. To apply for this position, please visit our website at www.waysidewaifs.org.