Description

For over 100 years, the Dumb Friends League has been working to end pet homelessness and animal suffering by providing a strong and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. As the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the region, we care for more than 20,000 homeless pets and horses each year at our four facilities and are a national model in animal welfare. This opportunity is located at our Leslie A Malone Center in Denver. 

Purpose of Position: Responsible for the management and ongoing development of the League’s Pet Assist program. 

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day work of an interdepartmental program, supporting and guiding the work of teams within and outside of the shelter team structure.
• Manages Pet Assist cases, including initial assessment to determine fit for program, pet intake, ongoing client communication, reunification, and ongoing support.
• Supports shelter teams involved in pet assist program to ensure smooth case management, appropriate application of resources, flexibility and compliance as needed and best outcomes for program participants. Assists teams with related communications to clients as well as foster parents. 
• Determines nature and eligibility of client’s situation by interviewing client and assessing their needs and fit for the program.
• Establishes course of action in collaboration with other Departments, community partners and with the client.
• Refers clients to other (non-pet related) community resources and agencies.
• Facilitates interactions with clients in emotionally charged situations, either in person, via email, or on the telephone in an empathetic and compassionate manner.
• Maintains records of cases by documenting client’s situation and client’s actions and maintains client confidentiality. 
• Monitors clients’ progress relative to reunification potential and timeline. Modifies action plans and shelter flow for pet(s) accordingly.
• Proactively engages with community agencies working on issues that impact pet owners, such as housing, food insecurity, and veterinary care to build peer and referral network. 
• Identifies and develops partnerships for effective and expanded service and resource delivery to pet owners. 
• Works with team to develop, evaluate, and control departmental budgets. 
• As assigned, oversees social work intern to ensure that they are motivated, trained, and empowered to carry out their responsibilities to the required standard of excellence, meet any agreed upon program requirements and provide a mutually beneficial experience for the intern and the League. 
• Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness across the department, including statistical analysis, report creation, and presentation. Implement improvements, ensuring efficient use of resources and effective operations. Assess success in effectively supporting our priority communities. 
• Stays current on pet-related issues, human/social service issues, and available pet resources in the community and help establish and maintain written resources, protocols, and procedures. Seeks to improve processes and advance the program’s impact and efficiency.
• Highlights and removes obstacles to progress and identifies and acquires needed resources and tools for success. 
• Demonstrates, and set expectations for, intentional, authentic, and effective collaboration and integration across teams and programs, and with external partners. 
• Maintains highly effective relationships with colleagues to ensure successful allocation of resources and coordination of activities in support of strategic objectives. Communicates regularly with managers, directors, and the executive leadership team when necessary. 
• Works in collaboration with the Development and Communications teams to support fundraising efforts, grant requests and reports, and other campaigns, providing impact stories and data as requested. 
• Remains informed and up to date with relevant industry trends and practices to keep the League at the leading edge of safety net programs for pets and animal welfare.
• Serves as a liaison and promote the League’s mission and objectives to the community and other organizations.

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face-to-face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and League business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional, and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources.

Organizational Key Competencies

• Integrity and Ethics
• Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
• Customer and Community Focus
• Emotional Intelligence
• Excellence

Position Key Competencies

• Compassion 
• Community Partnerships
• Conflict Management
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Innovation
• People Development
• Project Management
• Strategic Thinking

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

• Social work interns 
• Volunteers

Travel

• This position may require travel to different work sites

Compensation: $24.30-$26.15 (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Full Time Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

• Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
• Flexible spending accounts
• League-paid Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Sabbatical
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k)
• And more!

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Performs work primarily in an office setting. Potentially prolonged periods of sitting and repetitive motion. May work in an area with a high noise level. Potentially subject to animal bites and scratches. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Occasional lifting with reasonable accommodation.

We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and anticipate closing the application period on March 14, 2024. 

Requirements

Position Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing 
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to utilize effective problem solving/decision-making skills 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience developing and monitoring budgets

Required

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Work Experience: Experience in client-based social-services, case management, or program management work

Desired

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or veterinary social work certificate
• Bilingual fluency in both English and Spanish
• Knowledge of animal welfare issues
• Experience working with diverse and under-resourced communities