Chief of Operations for Dog Rescue

Path of Hope Rescue•Spokane, WA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

This person will be responsible for leading the Operations Branch of PHR, managing the pipeline of program dogs from selection at risk of euthanasia in Texas to adoption in Washington. The role involves leading a large team of over 200 volunteers across five departments: Fosters, Adoptions, Admissions, Medical, and Transport. The Chief of Operations (COO) will be expected to backfill open roles to understand the inner workings of the branch and train new volunteers. A key objective is to systemize and automate processes, creating SOPs and foundational documents for scaling the rescue. The COO will act as the 'right hand man' to the CEO, working daily to ensure smooth operations. Initially, the role is 90% hands-on logistics and 10% vision/goals, with the expectation that the successful candidate will grow the role towards strategy and leadership by training and empowering their teams. Responsibilities include building relationships with Texas shelter partners, coordinating transports, managing a foster family plan, overseeing medical care for dogs in the foster program, and supervising the adoption program to maintain high standards. The job is remote with on-location duties, requiring computer work on remote days and in-person attendance at events, intakes, and transports, which may occur during evenings and weekends. Office hours can be adjusted to accommodate these duties.

Requirements

Exceptional interpersonal and people skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Conflict resolution skills.
Emotional discipline and decisiveness.
Ability to stick to decisions based on principles.
Proficiency in logistics and communication.
Ability to manage details and see the overall puzzle.
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Extreme comfort with technology, using several different platforms and CRMs.
Data and accurate record-keeping skills.
Willingness to participate in continuing education (reading, watching, learning new information frequently).
Commitment to process improvement.

Nice To Haves

Ability to lead, encourage, and motivate a large volunteer team.
Experience in dog rescue operations.

Responsibilities

Lead the Operations Branch of PHR, managing the pipeline of program dogs from Texas to Washington.
Manage a large team of over 200 volunteers across five departments: Fosters, Adoptions, Admissions, Medical, and Transport.
Backfill open volunteer roles to understand branch operations and train new volunteers.
Systemize and automate processes, creating SOPs and foundational documents for scaling the rescue.
Act as the 'right hand man' to the CEO, collaborating daily on operations.
Build and maintain relationships with Texas shelter partners to select dogs at risk of euthanasia.
Coordinate with transport partners for dog transportation into Washington state, ensuring compliance with laws and overseeing logistics.
Develop and maintain a foster family plan, including backups, for all incoming dogs.
Coordinate the arrival of transports and immediate transfer of dogs to foster families.
Supervise the Medical Pack to ensure appropriate preventative care, screening, and spay/neuter surgeries for dogs in the foster program.
Oversee the adoption program, ensuring high standards are maintained through the established adoption process.
Oversee long-distance transport of dogs to adopters in adjoining states (Idaho, Montana, Oregon) via Puppy Delivery Express.
Conduct remote work including computer tasks and leading volunteer teams via online platforms.
Perform in-person duties such as attending transports, spay/neuter surgery days, and events, which may occur during evenings and weekends.
Achieve 1-2 Texas Transports/Intakes per month (20-40 dogs).
Ensure all dogs are placed in appropriate foster homes with extra spots available.
Support and build community within the Foster team.
Ensure the Medical Team is supported and inventory is stocked.
Manage vaccine, heartworm, and dewormer schedules and administration.
Schedule and plan Spay/Neuter surgeries in advance.
Engage daily (M-F) with volunteers remotely.
Conduct at least one proactive out-of-office day per week (visiting fosters, trainers, vets, or vendors).
Attend all events, intakes, and transports.
Facilitate a minimum of 15 adoptions per month.